The Malaysian Road Transport Department has announced that foreign-registered vehicles without Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) tags will still be allowed to enter Malaysia from Singapore after the Oct 1 deadline. The implementation of the VEP requirement will be executed in phases, with drivers being reminded to quickly register, install, and activate their RFID tags at the land borders. A warning notice will be issued to drivers who have not installed their VEP before leaving Malaysia.
Despite the looming deadline, many Singaporean drivers have faced challenges in securing their VEP due to snags in the application process and long queues at installation centres in Johor Bahru. To accommodate the demand, Malaysia has opened additional centres in Woodlands and Johor Bahru to increase the tag installation capacity. As of Sep 25, RFID tags for VEP have been activated for 62,635 Singapore-registered vehicles, according to JPJ.
There have been concerns among Singapore drivers regarding the legal implications of driving across the border without the VEP tags after Oct 1, even if they have completed the registration process and secured an appointment for installation. The VEP system was initially announced in May by Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke, with a requirement for all foreign-registered vehicles entering the country from Singapore to have VEPs from Oct 1. Those who fail to comply may face fines or jail time.
During a visit to a VEP main collection office in Johor Bahru in August, Mr. Loke mentioned that close to 60,000 applications had been received between May 28 and Jul 31, with 40% of them being incomplete. He anticipated an additional 50,000 VEP applications before the Oct 1 deadline. Drivers can currently book appointments for RFID tag installation at centres in Larkin, Taman Daya, and Danga Bay in Malaysia, as well as at the Woodlands office in Singapore.
The decision to allow foreign-registered vehicles without VEP tags to enter Malaysia after the Oct 1 deadline comes amid concerns and challenges faced by Singaporean drivers in obtaining the required permits. The enforcement of the VEP requirement, which has been in place since 2019 but has not been enforced until now, aims to regulate and monitor the entry of foreign vehicles into Malaysia from Singapore. Drivers are urged to comply with the VEP regulations to avoid potential penalties.
