Singaporean drivers hoping to enter Malaysia with their cars must now take note of a crucial restriction: any vehicle with a Certificate of Entitlement (COE) that has six months or less remaining will not be eligible to apply for a Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP).
Malaysia’s Transport Minister, Anthony Loke, clarified that the policy, enforced by the Malaysian Road Transport Department (JPJ), aims to prevent illegal activities such as the resale of Singapore-registered vehicles in Malaysia and the creation of “cloned cars” using recycled licence plates and vehicle identities from deregistered cars.
Rule Targets Older Cars to Prevent Fraud
In an interview with Shin Min Daily News, Loke explained that the six-month COE requirement is similar to the international travel rule that requires passports to have a minimum of six months’ validity before entry is permitted. By enforcing this COE validity rule, Malaysia hopes to reduce the influx of ageing vehicles nearing their end-of-life status, which are more susceptible to being misused for fraudulent resale or cloning operations.
As of July 2025, the cost of renewing or bidding for a new COE in Singapore ranges from S$101,102 to S$119,600, according to the Automobile Association of Singapore. For vehicle owners considering regular travel to Malaysia, this means they must be prepared to extend their COE even if their vehicle is nearing its end-of-life, adding another financial consideration.
One affected car owner expressed hopes that some flexibility would be granted, particularly for Singaporeans who make frequent cross-border trips but are not involved in illicit activity.
Strict VEP Enforcement Now in Effect
The implementation of Malaysia’s VEP system officially took effect on 1 July 2025. All foreign-registered vehicles entering via land checkpoints must have a valid VEP and an activated RFID tag. On the first day alone, 10 Singaporean motorists were fined RM300 (approximately S$91) for entering Johor Bahru without meeting these new requirements.
The surge in applications also led to long queues at registration centres in both Singapore and Johor following the announcement in early June.
Drivers are reminded that possessing a VEP RFID tag alone is not enough—it must be activated. Several vehicle owners were penalised for not activating their tags despite already having them installed.
High Penalties for Non-Compliance
Motorists who are found without a VEP will face immediate fines and must rectify the situation by registering and activating their RFID tags before they are allowed to leave Malaysia. The fine of RM300 is non-negotiable and must be paid on the spot.
Singaporeans planning to drive into Malaysia are strongly encouraged to check their COE status and VEP registration before making any trip. This latest move reflects Malaysia’s broader efforts to tighten vehicle entry regulations and prevent abuse of cross-border vehicle policies.
With traffic between the two countries always high—especially during weekends and holidays—these new restrictions could have a significant impact on daily commuters and frequent travellers.