JPJ issues 500,000 summonses to foreign drivers

JPJ issues 500,000 summonses to foreign drivers in Malaysia

JPJ has issued 500,000 traffic summonses worth a maximum RM150 million to foreign drivers in Malaysia since 2023, with enforcement becoming stricter from July 2026.

The summonses were issued under Op Pemandu Warga Asing (Op PeWA) and cover offences including driving without a valid licence, road tax or insurance. JPJ says vehicle owners and drivers can also face court action when offences are detected

Key takeaways

500,000 summonses have been issued to foreign drivers since 2023 under Op PeWA.
The summonses have a maximum combined value of RM150 million, based on a maximum RM300 per summons.
JPJ changed its enforcement approach in July 2026, with vehicles involved in offences subject to immediate seizure in applicable cases.
Hotspots identified by JPJ include Kedah, Kelantan, Johor, Sabah and Sarawak.
Malaysian vehicle owners should avoid lending or renting vehicles to foreign drivers who do not meet the necessary licensing and regulatory requirements.

500,000 summonses issued since 2023

The scale of enforcement is significant. JPJ has issued approximately 500,000 summonses to foreign drivers since the launch of Op PeWA in 2023.

According to JPJ's senior director of enforcement, Datuk Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan, the summonses carry a maximum value of RM300 each, putting their maximum combined value at RM150 million. The figure represents the maximum potential value rather than necessarily the amount actually collected.

The offences cover several areas. These include driving without a valid driving licence, road tax or insurance, as well as other breaches of Malaysian road transport regulations.

Which areas are being monitored?

JPJ has identified several enforcement hotspots. They include Kedah, Kelantan, Johor, Sabah and Sarawak, with state JPJ offices instructed to inspect every foreign driver detained.

The operation covers tourists and foreign workers. JPJ has also reported cases involving foreign nationals driving motorcycles to transport scrap metal or used goods, as well as driving without the appropriate licence or Goods Driving Licence (GDL).

A separate JPJ operation in Balakong on 23 February 2026 found offences including the absence of a GDL, Competent Driving Licence (CDL) and Motor Vehicle Licence (LKM), showing that licensing and vehicle-document compliance remains an enforcement priority.

What Malaysian vehicle owners should know

Lending your vehicle can create compliance risks. JPJ has specifically urged Malaysian vehicle owners and employers not to allow foreign nationals to drive without the necessary qualifications and valid documents.

Vehicle documentation matters. Owners should ensure that the person driving their vehicle has the appropriate licence and that the vehicle itself has valid road tax and insurance before handing over the keys.

For owners who regularly manage more than one vehicle or driver, the Motorist App can help centralise important vehicle reminders, including road tax, insurance and traffic-fine alerts. Motorist also provides a AutoConcierge through in-app chat for motoring-related questions.

Old way vs Motorist App

Vehicle task	Old way	Motorist App
Track summonses	Manually check and remember outstanding offences	Receive summons alerts and access payment features
Road tax	Remember the expiry date yourself	Receive road tax expiry reminders
Insurance	Contact providers individually	Receive competitive quotes through the app
Traffic information	Check multiple sources	Access real-time traffic cameras and updates
Motoring questions	Find information yourself	Ask Personal Auto Concierge through in-app chat
Current enforcement context	Follow news manually	Keep vehicle-related reminders and alerts in one place

The key difference is centralisation. Motorist describes its app as a smart vehicle-management platform, combining reminders, vehicle information, transaction services, traffic updates and AutoConcierge features.

How JPJ summonses can be paid

Not every summons follows the same payment process. JPJ states that compoundable summonses can be paid within the period specified, while non-compoundable summonses must be settled in court.

Digital payment is available for eligible cases. JPJ lists MyJPJ, the JPJ Public Portal and MyEG among the channels for paying JPJ summonses, alongside physical JPJ offices, branches, UTCs and kiosks.

Motorist can also provide alerts for traffic fines and payment functionality, helping drivers keep track of vehicle-related obligations rather than relying entirely on memory.

Expert tip: If you lend your vehicle to another driver, check their licence and make sure your vehicle's road tax and insurance are valid before handing over the keys. A quick document check can help prevent an avoidable enforcement issue.

Common mistake: Don't assume that a foreign driver's licence automatically covers every type of vehicle or driving activity in Malaysia. Commercial driving, for example, may require additional qualifications such as a GDL, depending on the vehicle and activity. JPJ has specifically reported GDL-related offences during enforcement operations.

What happens if a summons is left unresolved?

JPJ warns that unpaid or unresolved matters can escalate. According to JPJ's blacklist guidance, a summons or notice that is not settled within 60 days may be referred to court. Failure to attend a court mention can result in the driver, vehicle or licence being blacklisted until the case is resolved.

The exact outcome depends on the type of offence and notice. JPJ distinguishes between compoundable and non-compoundable summonses, so drivers should follow the instructions stated on their individual notice.

Why this matters for Malaysian car owners

The latest Op PeWA figures highlight the importance of keeping vehicle records in order. With 500,000 summonses issued since 2023 and enforcement tightened from July 2026, owners should pay attention not only to how they drive but also to who is permitted to use their vehicles.

Digital reminders can make routine compliance easier. The Motorist App brings together road tax, insurance and summons-related reminders, while its AutoConcierge feature gives users a direct channel for motoring assistance

Conclusion

JPJ's 500,000-summons figure shows the scale of enforcement against foreign-driver offences in Malaysia since 2023, with enforcement becoming stricter from July 2026. For Malaysian vehicle owners, keeping licences, road tax, insurance and driver eligibility in order is an important part of responsible vehicle ownership.