Pinoys eligible for automatic driving license conversion in Malaysia

Holders of Philippine driving licenses are eligible to have their documents automatically converted to Malaysian driver's licenses, a Malaysian transport minister said this week.

 

Licenses in 31 other countries will be similarly eligible for automatic conversion, Malaysia's The Star news site quoted Deputy Transport Minister Jelaing Mersat as saying.

 

"For the conversion, applications will be imposed an annual fee of RM30 (P403) for the license and a processing fee of RM20 (P269)," said Jelaing in the report.

 

He cited records showing that of 13,252 applications, 8,469 were approved between 2010 and October 30 this year.

 

Aside from the Philippines, licenses from other countries that are eligible include those from Australia, Iraq, Papua New Guniea, Belgium, Italy, France, Holland, Japan, Poland Brunei, German, Russia, China, Korea, Spain, Denmark, Laos, Singapore, Fiji, Libya, Switzerland, Mauritius, Thailand, Finland, Egypt, Turkey, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Taiwan, Iran and Nigeria.

 

Jelaing said the eligibility is part of complying with the United Nations Conference on Road and Motor Transport, where member countries recognized each other's driving license.

 

However, he said 115 countries will not enjoy automatic conversion under the convention and holders will need to make a request to the Road Transport Department (JPJ) director.

 

Jelaing said some applications to convert foreign driving licenses were rejected were because they did not meet the requirements set by the JPJ.

 

These requirements involve: