Foreign vehicles from S'pore will need VEP RFID tag to enter M'sia from Oct 1

Photo: Bernama

PUTRAJAYA: Foreign vehicles entering Malaysia from Singapore will be required to have a Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) RFID tag starting October 1 this year, says Anthony Loke.

The Transport Minister said that the VEP system, which originally began in 2019, will now be fully enforced at the Johor Causeway and Malaysia-Singapore Second Link.

The VEP tag will cost foreign vehicle owners only RM10 per tag and will be valid for five years, according to Loke.

Loke added that foreign vehicle owners from Singapore will also have the option of bringing their foreign cars to Malaysia to install the RFID tag or request for the tag to be delivered to them for their own self-installation.

“All foreign vehicle owners are encouraged to register, instal and activate their VEP RFID tags within the next four months before October.

“This is to avoid any issues when traveling by foreign vehicle between the two countries in the foreseeable future,” he said at a press conference at the Transport Ministry office here on Tuesday (May 28).

He noted that foreign vehicle drivers from Singapore entering or already in Malaysia who fail to obtain a VEP RFID tag after the Oct 1 deadline will have committed an offense under Section 66H(7) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

If found guilty, drivers will be compounded or receive a fine of up to RM2,000 or be imprisoned for up to six months under Section 119(2) of the same act.

Loke said the Road Transport Department (JPJ) will have full authority to deny entry to foreign vehicles into Malaysia who do not have a VEP RFID tag after the enforcement date.

“JPJ will also have the authority to prevent foreign vehicles from exiting Malaysia should they have unresolved issues.

“This will include unpaid fines or traffic summonses among many others under the Road Transport Act 1987,” he said.

Loke added that the decision to begin enforcement of VEP RFID tags starting in October was to give ample time for foreign vehicle owners to register and instal their tags.

“Based on records, there are currently over 200,000 foreign vehicles who have applied for VEP but only 70,000 have activated their RFID tags.

“As such, this four-month period would help prevent any sort of sudden mad rush of vehicle owners travelling between the two countries which would cause unnecessary traffic congestion,” he added.

Those in need of more information are advised to contact the VEP helpline [phone] or visit the VEP portal at https://vep.jpj.gov.my.