Nope.

You can pay RM20 to get the physical copy though - https://www.carlist.my/news/planning-to-dri...-135280/135280/

Here just say pay RM 20 print the renew card not the whole license, no need IDP or whatever, but need to bring go overseas supporting documents

I don't get why posters here are saying that can rent car (with MY license) in the country means no need IDP. Are you all saying car rental rules = police rules?

seems that thai accepts our malaysian driving license, although i can't find any black-and-white on this.

Making IDP is a breeze.

1. Pay online @ JPJ website (RM150)
2. bring the payment-receipt (or can email them at JPJ office on the spot) & a passport photo (white background! No more blue background) to JPJ office. There is a special counter for online-applications (no need to take or use number system).
3. Pass the passport-photo to the officer and wait for your name to be called.

Took me ~10 minutes in JPJ Petaling Jaya office today.

EDIT: Ahhh. It’s hidden in MySikap portal. Found it. Just as I’ve paid a runner to help me go JPJ and apply. Will try this next year.

Can share link of jpj online application? Can’t seem to find it.



This post has been edited by Johannlo: Jan 7 2025, 07:17 PM

Did you guy surrender the domestics license when applying for IDP?

IDP and IDL are the same right?

https://jpj.my/international_driving_permit.htm

"You need to surrender your domestic license to JPJ as you are not allowed to hold 2 types of licenses at a time. If you no longer require the IDP, you may be go to the JPJ offices to get back your domestic license."

Why so troublesome?

IDL and IDP are the same right? So, when you go to Vietnam, you will go to the JPJ at Vietnam and conevert the IDP to their local Tieng Viet Driving license? What is the entire process? What form you need to fill and how much you need to pay?

Runner can do international driving license?

Yes.

No, this is incorrect. IDP will be issued in addition to your domestic license - have done it myself.

another plot twist: while our physical driving lesen is accepted in ASEAN, our digital version is not (except for Singapore only). So to get the physical lesen, jpj require to apply for IDP which cost RM150 per year, then only they will give you the physical lesen.

For IDP, you can just walk in and get it done in less than 30 mins.

Last month, I just renewed 10 years license + went to the JPJ to get the Physical license (+ 1 year). I printed the Agoda hotel booking. They didn't accept it and said that I can cancel the booking anytime. Luckily I brought my passport along with me. I showed them that I travelled to oversea at least 1 time per year to countries like Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore. Then, they only allowed me to get the Physical license. So, you either need to show the flight ticket or proof from the records of your passport that you travel frequently to overseas

I don't have IDP yet. But, I think I need that if I want to drive in Vietnam

Who know the exact process of riding a motorcycle legally in Vietnam with Malaysia license? Do I need IDP? After I have IDP, I will need to go to the Vietnam JPJ to translate to local language like "gold member" mentioned?

I am planning a trip to go to Vietnam later this year. It will be more convenient if I have my own transport

They have no reasons to doubt you. A physical lesen card is a right for all Malaysians who have passed the driving test and paid the annual fee for the lesen.

What kind of nonsense is to even doubt you even when you already have hotel booking. What if just travelling to Singapore or Thailand for a day trip? or staying in family or friends house while in overseas?

to me this is nonsense.

Correct. It is stupid. On top of that, not all JPJ can issue the physical license. The nearest JPJ from my home can't do it. I had to drive about 1 hour (40-50 km) to another JPJ to get this physical license. Really troublesome

asean countries dont need IDP.

Please tell that to JPJ officers.

I know Singapore and Thailand no need IDP as I drive there multiple times. Even stopped by traffic police roadblock in Thailand for a few times as well, they accepted Malaysia Physical driving license. But, Vietnam might be different as the driving on the right. (Malaysia/Singapore/Thailand: On the Left)

I haven't tried driving/riding in Vietnam yet. I hope to try it later this year

I just asked Chat GPT. Malaysia License can not be used in Vietnam. Not even IDP 1949. We need IDP 1968 which is not issued by Malaysia

---------------
Here is the most accurate, up-to-date, and brutally honest answer for your situation as a Malaysian wanting to drive or ride a motorcycle in Vietnam (as of May 2025):

1. Malaysian License Alone is NOT Sufficient
Despite Vietnam being an ASEAN country and Malaysia being part of ASEAN, in practice, your Malaysian driving license alone is not reliably accepted by Vietnamese authorities for driving or riding a motorcycle. While there is an ASEAN agreement on mutual recognition of driving licenses, Vietnamese police and rental agencies almost always require more than just your Malaysian license, especially for tourists and short-term visitors. This is confirmed by multiple sources and recent traveler reports [source].

2. International Driving Permit (IDP) – Which Version?
Only the 1968 Vienna Convention IDP is officially recognized in Vietnam.
Malaysia issues IDPs under the 1949 Geneva Convention, not the 1968 Vienna Convention.
Therefore, a Malaysian-issued IDP is not officially valid in Vietnam, even though some rental shops may accept it informally. If you are stopped by police, you risk fines and your insurance will likely be invalid [source].

3. Translation/Certification?
Some people claim you can get your IDP or Malaysian license translated and certified at a Vietnamese notary or transport department. This is only possible if you are staying long-term (with a residence permit/visa over 3 months), and the process is bureaucratic and requires a lot of paperwork, including a Vietnamese translation certified by a notary or embassy. For tourists, this is impractical and rarely done [source].

4. What Actually Happens in Practice?
Tourists: Most tourists rent and ride bikes anyway, but this is technically illegal unless you have a Vietnamese license or a 1968 IDP. If you are stopped, you may be fined (up to 5 million VND, about RM 1,000), and your bike may be impounded. If you get into an accident, your travel insurance will almost certainly refuse to cover you if you do not have the correct license.
Police: Enforcement is inconsistent. In tourist hotspots (e.g., Ha Giang Loop, Hai Van Pass), police checkpoints are common and they do check for the 1968 IDP. In other areas, you may get away with a bribe or warning, but this is not guaranteed and is risky.

Rental Shops: Many rental shops will rent to you with just your Malaysian license or even no license, but this does not make it legal.