How to Become a Grab Driver in Malaysia (2026)

What Is GrabCar / E-Hailing?

GrabCar is Grab's ride-hailing service in Malaysia — passengers book rides via the Grab app, and drivers (like you) accept and complete trips. Drivers are independent contractors, not employees. You set your own hours.

In Malaysia, e-hailing is regulated by Suruhanjaya Pengangkutan Awam Darat (SPAD), now under the Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ). This means you need a legal licence — the Lesen PSV (Public Service Vehicle) — before you can legally drive for Grab or any other e-hailing platform (InDrive, AirAsia Ride, etc.).

Driving without a PSV licence is an offence under the Land Public Transport Act 2010. Grab is required to verify your PSV licence before approving your account.

Driver Eligibility Requirements

Personal Requirements

Vehicle Requirements

Your vehicle must meet Grab's and JPJ's standards. Different Grab service tiers have different vehicle requirements.

General Vehicle Requirements (All GrabCar Tiers)

GrabCar Service Tiers & Vehicle Criteria

Getting Your PSV Licence (Lesen PSV)

The Lesen PSV (Lesen Kenderaan Pengangkutan Awam) is the licence that legally allows you to carry paying passengers. Without it, you cannot drive e-hailing legally. Here's the process:

Step 1: Medical Examination (Peperiksaan Perubatan)

Visit a panel clinic registered with JPJ. Not all clinics are JPJ panels — confirm before going. The medical examination covers:

• Eyesight test (vision and colour blindness)
• Blood pressure check
• General physical fitness assessment
• Blood sugar (for older applicants)

Cost: RM30–RM80 depending on clinic. The clinic issues a JPJ medical certificate (Sijil Kesihatan JPJ) which you submit with your PSV application.

Validity: The medical certificate is valid for 3 months — complete your PSV application before it expires.

Step 2: PSV Course (Kursus PSV)

You must complete a 1-day JPJ-approved PSV course at an authorised driving institute (Institut Memandu). The course covers:

• Passenger safety and service standards
• E-hailing regulations and legal obligations
• Defensive driving techniques
• Emergency procedures

Cost: RM100–RM200. Book via your nearest JPJ-registered driving school (Institut Memandu / Pusat Memandu Lesen PSV).

Upon completion, you receive a PSV course completion certificate.

Step 3: Apply for PSV Licence at JPJ

Submit your application at a JPJ branch or via the MyJPJ portal/app (if online submission is available in your area). Required documents:

• MyKad (original + photocopy)
• Full Class D driving licence (original + photocopy)
• JPJ medical certificate (original)
• PSV course completion certificate
• PSV application form (JPJ L1/PSV — available at JPJ branch)
• Passport-size photos (usually 2)
• Payment: ~RM200–RM350 (licence fee for 3 years)

PSV Licence Details

Documents Checklist

Tap each item to mark it as done:

Step-by-Step: How to Register as a Grab Driver

• Get a JPJ medical examination Visit a JPJ panel clinic for a fitness-to-drive examination. You'll receive a Sijil Kesihatan JPJ. This is valid for 3 months, so complete the rest of the process within this window. Cost: RM30–RM80.
• Complete the PSV course Book and attend a 1-day PSV course at a JPJ-registered driving institute. Bring your MyKad and driving licence. You'll receive a completion certificate at the end of the day. Cost: RM100–RM200.
• Apply for your PSV licence at JPJ Visit your nearest JPJ branch with all required documents (see checklist above). Submit the JPL L1/PSV form and pay the licence fee. Processing can be same-day or take up to 2 weeks. Cost: ~RM200–RM350.
• Get Puspakom B2 inspection Book a B2 inspection at your nearest Puspakom centre. This is an inspection specific to commercial-use vehicles. Your car must pass before you can register it for e-hailing. Cost: ~RM65–RM100. Book at puspakom.com.my.
• Add e-hailing insurance endorsement to your policy Contact your motor insurance provider (AIA, AXA, Allianz, Etiqa, Takaful, etc.) and request an e-hailing extension to your existing policy. Your standard private car insurance does NOT cover you when carrying paying passengers. This endorsement usually costs an additional RM200–RM500/year depending on your vehicle and insurer.
• Register your vehicle for e-hailing with JPJ Your vehicle must be registered as an e-hailing vehicle. This can be done via the MyJPJ app or at a JPJ branch. Documents required: MyKad, vehicle grant (geran), road tax, Puspakom B2 certificate, and insurance certificate with e-hailing endorsement.
• Download the Grab Driver app and register Download the Grab Driver app (not the passenger app). Create a new driver account with your phone number. Upload all required documents: PSV licence, MyKad, driving licence, vehicle grant, insurance, Puspakom certificate, and your selfie/profile photo.
• Wait for Grab to verify and activate your account Grab's team reviews your documents. This typically takes 3–7 business days. If there are issues (blurry documents, expired items), they'll notify you via the app or SMS. Once approved, you'll receive a notification that you're cleared to go online.
• Attend Grab onboarding (if required) Some cities require an in-person onboarding session at a Grab Driver Centre before your account is fully activated. Check the app for whether this applies to your area. Bring all original documents.
• Go online and start accepting rides Open the Grab Driver app, toggle "Go Online," and start accepting trips. Your first few trips will help establish your rating. Maintain a rating above 4.5 to keep priority access to rides.

How Much Can You Earn as a Grab Driver?

Earnings vary widely depending on hours worked, city, time of day, and current incentive campaigns. Here are realistic estimates based on driver community data:

Typical Fares (Klang Valley)

Incentive Programmes

Grab regularly runs weekly incentive campaigns — completing a target number of trips in a week earns a bonus. These are posted in the Grab Driver app each week. New drivers often qualify for higher incentive tiers during their first month. Track your incentive targets daily to maximise earnings.

Costs and Expenses to Factor In

Many new drivers underestimate running costs. Here's a realistic monthly breakdown for a full-time Grab driver in the Klang Valley:

Vehicle depreciation is the hidden cost most drivers ignore. E-hailing use puts significantly more kilometres on your car than personal use, accelerating depreciation. Factor this in if you're doing a long-term financial calculation.

Pro Tips for New Grab Drivers

Maximise Earnings

• Work peak hours: 7–9am, 12–2pm, and 5–8pm have surge pricing. Morning rush to office areas, evening rush from KL Sentral and Pavilion.
• Chase weekly incentives: Check your trip targets every Sunday when new incentives reset. Hit the first tier at minimum — it's usually achievable in 2–3 days.
• Position near airports and malls: KLIA, KLIA2, Mid Valley, Pavilion, Sunway Pyramid — high-value longer-distance rides originate from these.
• Accept GrabFood during slow periods: Delivery orders fill gaps between ride requests, especially in suburban areas with fewer passengers.

Protect Your Rating

• Keep your car clean. A dirty car is the #1 cause of low ratings.
• Keep the temperature comfortable — ask passengers their preference.
• Don't initiate unnecessary conversation, but be polite when spoken to.
• Never cancel a trip after accepting — cancellations hurt your acceptance rate and rating.
• Offer phone charger cables if you can — passengers notice and appreciate it.

Manage Costs

• RON95 is sufficient for most non-turbo Malaysian cars. Don't pay for premium fuel.
• Change engine oil every 5,000 km (not the 10,000 km intervals for personal use) — higher mileage means faster degradation.
• Track your monthly fuel spend in a notebook or spreadsheet. If costs are rising, check your tyre pressure — underinflated tyres cost 5–15% more fuel.
• Consider a dedicated SIM card with unlimited data for RM30–40/month instead of burning your personal plan.

Know Your Rights

• You are an independent contractor, not an employee. You are not entitled to EPF, SOCSO, or paid leave from Grab.
• Report accidents to your insurer immediately. Your e-hailing endorsement covers you; don't try to claim as private use.
• PDRM (police) checkpoints: always carry your PSV licence physically or in the Grab app. Fines for operating without a PSV licence can be RM1,000–RM5,000.
• If a passenger is abusive or threatening, you can end the trip. Report immediately via the Grab Driver app — Grab takes safety incidents seriously.

Frequently Asked Questions

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