Before entering Malaysia  

Apply for a Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) into Malaysia  

All Singapore-registered vehicles need to have a VEP in order to enter Malaysia. This comes with a VEP-RFID tag that can then be tagged to your Touch ‘n Go eWallet, which then enables you to pay for the road charge into Malaysia as well as highway tolls. 

A VEP is compulsory and not having it could result in a RM150 fine, so make sure you apply for one before driving in! Here’s how.

1. Register online

You can register for a VEP at its official VEP website. 

Register a profile online using your email address and fill in your personal details as well as vehicle information. You will receive a confirmation email after successfully opening a VEP account.

Make sure you use an email address that you’ll have continued access to as you won’t be able to change it in future. You will also have to use the one VEP account for all future vehicle registrations, so don’t forget your account details! 

2. Apply for Touch ‘n Go eWallet

While waiting for your confirmation email, download the Touch ‘n Go eWallet app and set up an account. This will be linked to your VEP-RFID tag and you’ll need it for the next step. You will need an ID to register for an account. For Singaporeans, do choose NRIC as your ID type so that the information syncs up with your VEP profile. 

3. Submit the required documents 

Upon receiving your confirmation email, follow the link within to complete your VEP registration. At this point, you will have to submit your Touch ‘n Go eWallet details as well as documents such as your COE, NRIC, car insurance, and authorisation letter. You will receive an email when your application has been approved. 

4. Collect and install your VEP-RFID tag

With your application approved, you now have two options to collect your VEP-RFID tag – either through post to your address in Singapore, or self-collection in Malaysia. 

If you choose the latter, you’ll have to make an appointment beforehand and head down with the appointment slip and VEP approval to collect the tag. You can also use these documents and a physical Touch ‘n Go card to enter Malaysia in the meantime. 

Get a Touch n’ Go card  

With the VEP-RFID system in its infancy, most Singaporean motorists are relying on the physical Touch ‘n Go cards to enter Malaysia instead. It’s compulsory to have one as this is the only payment method for the road charge into Malaysia. 

However, most places that sell Touch ‘n Go cards are based in Malaysia. It’s a bit of a conundrum seeing how you need it before entering Malaysia. While you can get your hands on the EZ-Link x Touch ‘n Go Motoring Card in Singapore, you can only reload the Touch ‘n Go electronic purse in Malaysia. 

For those with expired cards or driving over for the first time, your only options for a loaded card are borrowing from a friend, getting someone in Malaysia to send you, or trying your luck on Carousell.

Check your passport and petrol

For those driving in for the cheaper petrol, don’t forget about the three quarter tank rule. All Singapore-registered vehicles must have at least a ¾ tank of petrol when departing Singapore, or you may just find yourself slapped with a fine of up to $500.  

At the same time, check that your passport isn’t expiring in the next six months. The minimum passport validity period applies even if you’re crossing the border for just a few hours!  

And if you’re wondering whether you need an international driving licence to drive in Malaysia? The answer is no, so that’s one thing you don’t have to worry about.

When in Malaysia  

Navigating the roads and parking

Unfamiliar with the roads in Malaysia or haven’t been back in a while? Consider getting a data roaming plan so you can consult your GPS or Google Maps freely and get updated on traffic conditions at the same time. It’s not very expensive either, with prices starting from S$5/GB with Singtel ReadyRoam. That’s a small price to pay to avoid getting lost. 

If your GPS points you towards the highway, be prepared to pay highway tolls. That’s where your Touch ‘n Go card comes in handy. You can also use it to pay for parking at electronic carparks. Otherwise, you can pay with parking coupons or through various parking apps, depending on where you’re heading to in Malaysia.

Driving safely

Malaysia is generally safe but it doesn’t hurt to take precautions. To avoid being the victim of petty crimes or car theft, here are some steps you can take. 

This may sound like a no-brainer but make sure you lock your car at all times, even if you’re refuelling at a petrol kiosk or if you have people in the car. When parking your car, choose a well-lit spot that has relatively good foot traffic. 

At the same time, avoid leaving your valuables behind in the car. If you really have to, make sure you keep it hidden – you don’t want to tempt potential thieves. You may also consider investing in anti-theft measures like steering wheel lock or brake pedal lock to keep your vehicle extra secure. 

When you’re on the roads, do take the extra effort to be vigilant as speeding cars are not uncommon. It also pays to leave a larger gap between vehicles when you’re on the highway or B-roads, which not only helps you spot potholes and puddles but also gives you extra time to react when other vehicles filter into your lane. After all, you don’t want to get into an accident overseas.

What to do if you get into a car accident in Malaysia

However, if you do get into a car accident in Malaysia, the first thing to do is stay calm. Next, contact your insurer’s emergency hotline if you need advice or towing services. The rest of the steps involved are pretty much similar to making a car accident claim in Singapore. 

What’s important is that you make a police report within 24 hours of the incident, and take a photo of the road tax disc of the Malaysian vehicles involved. If you decide to make a third party claim against the Malaysian vehicle’s insurer, you will also need to do so within 24 hours.

As you can imagine, that can be an uncertain and lengthy process. To avoid the hassle, you can consider making a claim against your own insurer instead. Of course, for that to happen you’ll need a comprehensive car insurance plan. You’ll also need to ensure that your car insurance coverage extends to Malaysia. 

For instance, Singtel Car Protect offers coverage across the whole of West Malaysia and even some parts of Thailand that are within 80.5km of the Thailand-West Malaysia border. Under the Essential and Premium Plan, you’ll be covered for third party liabilities, your car, yourself and other drivers who have your permission to drive the car. On top of that, you can claim for medical expenses of up to S$1,000 without affecting your No-Claim Discount (NCD) or paying for excess! 

If you’re heading to Malaysia for a road trip, it’s also a good idea to supplement your coverage with travel insurance such as Singtel Travel Protect, which offers extra protection for medical expenses as well as the loss of personal money and travel documents.

Get protected even in Malaysia with Singtel Car Protect

For the most part, horror stories about driving in Malaysia are usually just that – stories. Still, it doesn’t hurt to be prepared just in case things happen. Besides prepping your car for the drive in, make sure you have a comprehensive car insurance plan such as Singtel Car Protect that covers you even in Malaysia. 

Offering protection against third-party liabilities and damages to you, your car as well as your passengers, you can drive to Malaysia with peace of mind knowing you’re well covered with Singtel Car Protect. Sign up for any plan today and get S$200 worth of petrol vouchers that are guaranteed, plus an extra 10% off your premiums! Now, that’s a deal that beats all the cheap petrol you can find in Malaysia.

Disclaimers: 

T&Cs apply. Underwritten by Great Eastern General Insurance Limited. Protected up to specified limits by SDIC.