Road Tax (Annual)
Road tax is calculated based on engine capacity (cc) for petrol/diesel vehicles. Peninsular Malaysia rates are higher than Sabah and Sarawak rates.
| Engine Capacity | Annual Road Tax (Peninsular) |
|---|
| Up to 1,000cc | RM20 |
| 1,001cc – 1,200cc | RM55 |
| 1,201cc – 1,400cc | RM70 |
| 1,401cc – 1,600cc | RM90 |
| 1,601cc – 1,800cc | RM200 (base) + RM0.50/cc above 1,600cc |
| Above 1,800cc | Higher progressive rates |
For EVs (from 1 Jan 2026): road tax is calculated on motor power output (kW). The previous EV exemption ended 31 Dec 2025.
Road Tax Renewal Options
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Comprehensive and Third Party insurance?
Comprehensive insurance (komprehensif) covers damage to YOUR car (accidents, theft, fire, flood) AND damage or injury to third parties. Third Party Only (TPO) covers only damage or injury you cause to OTHERS — your own car is not covered. Third Party, Fire and Theft (TPFT) adds fire and theft coverage for your car. For new or financed cars, banks require comprehensive coverage. For older cars worth less than RM20,000–RM30,000, third party is sometimes more cost-effective — calculate whether the premium saved is worth the coverage difference.
How is road tax (cukai jalan) calculated?
Road tax in Malaysia is calculated primarily based on engine cubic capacity (CC) and whether the car is private or commercial. Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia (Sabah/Sarawak) have different rates. For private cars: below 1,000cc pays RM20/year; 1,001–1,200cc pays RM55; 1,201–1,400cc pays RM70; above 3,000cc can exceed RM1,000/year. Check JPJ's published rate table at
jpj.gov.my for the exact current rates for your engine size.
Can I buy a car if I am on Employment Pass (foreigner)?
Yes. Foreigners in Malaysia with valid immigration passes can purchase and register a car in their own name. You'll need your passport, a valid immigration pass (Employment Pass, MM2H, etc.), proof of Malaysian address, and your income documents for hire purchase applications. Note: Malaysian car loans from local banks may have stricter income requirements for non-citizens, and some banks may require a higher down payment (bayaran pendahuluan).
What is PUSPAKOM and when is it required?
PUSPAKOM (Pusat Pemeriksaan Kenderaan Berkomputer) is Malaysia's mandatory vehicle inspection body. For private car ownership transfers between individuals, a B5 inspection is required — the seller and buyer must bring the vehicle to a PUSPAKOM centre before JPJ will process the transfer. The B5 inspection covers structural integrity, brakes, lights, tyres, and emissions. Fee: approximately RM35–RM50. You do NOT need PUSPAKOM for brand new cars from dealers. See the table above for a full breakdown of when PUSPAKOM applies.
Can I renew my road tax and insurance online?
Yes — and this is now the preferred method. Use MyEG (
myeg.com.my) or the MyJPJ app to renew both insurance and road tax in one transaction. You save RM5 on the road tax renewal fee when using MyJPJ. The physical road tax disc (cakera cukai jalan) is mailed to your registered address, or you can collect it at a post office. The digital record is updated instantly in the JPJ system, so enforcement checks are against the database, not the physical disc.
What happens if I miss my road tax renewal?
Driving with expired road tax is an offence under the Road Transport Act 1987 — fines (saman) of up to RM3,000 can be issued, and your car can be clamped or impounded. If your road tax has been expired for more than 12 months, you may need a PUSPAKOM B2 inspection before renewal. Your insurance policy should not be confused with road tax — the two are separate. Many Malaysians mistakenly believe renewing insurance automatically renews road tax. It does not.