Malaysia’s Minister of Transport, Anthony Loke, announced that the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) requirement for foreign vehicles entering the country from Singapore will take effect on October 1, 2024. He emphasized that there will be no reconsideration of this enforcement, stating, “There will be no U-turn. Oct 1, it will be enforced.”

The requirement mandates all foreign vehicles to have a valid VEP to enter Malaysia by land. Vehicle owners must register and activate their VEP radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. Motorists attempting to enter Johor without a valid VEP may face denial of entry or fines up to RM2,000 (approximately S$575).

This regulation will be enforced at the Sultan Iskandar Building via the Causeway and the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex via the Second Link. Although the VEP was first announced in 2017, its enforcement has been delayed multiple times due to issues related to the installation and registration of the VEP-RFID tags.

Loke reassured that the process for obtaining a VEP has been streamlined. Applicants can now choose to have the RFID tag delivered directly to their homes, eliminating the need to visit Johor for collection, although in-person collection remains an option.

The VEP system will allow the Malaysian government to monitor traffic records, including any summonses or violations associated with foreign-registered vehicles. Loke noted that motorists with traffic offenses must settle their fines before leaving Malaysia. He remarked, “I hope Singaporean drivers who visit Malaysia regularly will adhere to our laws and regulations,” drawing a parallel to Malaysian cars entering Singapore.

The Transport Ministry is aware of the high volume of inquiries from VEP applicants regarding registration difficulties and plans to address these issues. Loke intends to visit Johor to assess the situation and implement improvements. He assured applicants that the ministry will strive to facilitate the process but reiterated that a U-turn on the enforcement is not an option.

Motorists experiencing challenges with online VEP registration are encouraged to contact the Road and Transport Department (JPJ) at [email protected]. Many applicants have reported delays in receiving responses. To register for the VEP, individuals can visit vep.jpj.gov.my, and they can monitor the status of their applications at vepams.jpj.gov.my. Those with existing, valid VEP-RFID tags are not required to register for a new tag.