KUALA LUMPUR: Those with suspended or revoked licences but continue operating vehicles could face up to three years in prison under the Road Transport (Amendment) Bill 2026.
Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah said amendments to Section 32 of the Road Transport Act 1987 was to increase existing penalties to encourage compliance with the law and reduce the risk of accidents.
He said the amendment would increase the maximum jail term from one year to three years, while the fine would be raised to a maximum of RM10,000.
"Disqualification refers to a situation where a person is prohibited from driving because their driving licence has been suspended or revoked, or they have been barred by the court from holding or obtaining a driving licence," he said while delivering the second reading of the Bill in the Dewan Negara on Tuesday (July 21).
Meanwhile, Hasbi said the Bill also introduces stricter registration requirements for electric vehicles (EV) through amendments to Section 10 of the Act, taking into account the absence of engine numbers in EVs compared with conventional internal combustion engine vehicles.
"For EVs, the amendment clarifies that such vehicles must have a clear, visible and untampered electric motor vehicle serial number and chassis number," he said.
He said amendments to Section 17 would empower the Road Transport Department (JPJ) director to refuse to issue a motor vehicle licence if vehicle identification details, such as the chassis number or EV serial number, are damaged, unclear or believed to have been tampered with, to prevent fraud and cloned vehicles. – Bernama
