Caught running a red light in Malaysia? Here’s the fine and penalty
Caught running a red light in Malaysia? Here’s the fine and penalty
Running a red light in Malaysia can result in a compound of up to RM300, a court fine of RM300 to RM2,000 upon conviction, and demerit points under the KEJARA system. Repeat offences and accumulated demerit points can put your driving licence at risk.
A moment of impatience at a traffic light can have serious consequences for your wallet, driving record and the safety of other road users. Whether you were caught by an enforcement officer or a traffic camera, understanding the rules can help you respond appropriately and avoid making the situation worse.
Key takeaways
Compound: Running a red light can attract a compound of up to RM300 under the currently reported enforcement rate.
Court fine: Under Section 79(2) of the Road Transport Act 1987, a person convicted of failing to obey a lawful traffic signal can face a fine of RM300 to RM2,000.
Demerit points: The offence carries 4 KEJARA points for drivers of motor vehicles other than goods vehicles and buses, and 6 points for goods-vehicle and bus drivers.
Driving licence risk: Accumulating 20 or more demerit points can put a driving licence at risk of suspension under the KEJARA system.
Act promptly: Check the details on your summons, follow the instructions and settle the matter within the stated period.
How much is the fine for running a red light in Malaysia?
The amount depends on how the offence is handled. A compound is different from a fine imposed by a court. The amount payable and the applicable procedure depend on the offence, the issuing authority and the notice received.
Under Section 79(2) of the Road Transport Act 1987, failing to obey a legally placed traffic sign, including a red traffic light, is an offence. Upon conviction, the court can impose a fine of between RM300 and RM2,000.
| Penalty or consequence | Amount or points |
|---|---|
| Reported compound rate | Up to RM300 |
| Court fine upon conviction | RM300–RM2,000 |
| KEJARA points for most motor-vehicle drivers | 4 points |
| KEJARA points for goods-vehicle and bus drivers | 6 points |
| Accumulated demerit points that can trigger licence suspension | 20 or more |
Important: The Road Transport (Amendment) Bill 2026 proposed higher penalties for certain traffic offences, including disregarding traffic signals. A proposal should not be treated as an enacted penalty change without confirmation of its legal status and commencement date.
What happens if you run a red light?
1. You may receive a traffic summons
Enforcement can happen in different ways. A police officer or Road Transport Department (JPJ) officer may issue a summons, while traffic-monitoring systems can help authorities detect offences. JPJ also allows members of the public to submit evidence of certain traffic offences through the e-Aduan feature in the MyJPJ application.
If you receive a summons, check the issuing authority, vehicle registration number, offence details and payment deadline. Do not assume that you can ignore a notice simply because it arrived by post or you did not receive it directly from an officer.
2. You may receive KEJARA demerit points
A red-light offence can affect more than your bank balance. Under the KEJARA system, the offence of failing to comply with a red traffic light carries 4 demerit points for drivers of motor vehicles other than goods vehicles and buses, and 6 points for goods-vehicle and bus drivers.
JPJ states that accumulating 20 or more demerit points can lead to licence suspension, depending on the applicable rules and the driver's enforcement history. Repeated suspensions can eventually result in licence cancellation.
3. You may need to attend court
Not every summons follows the same payment procedure. JPJ distinguishes between compoundable summonses and summonses that must be settled through court proceedings. Follow the instructions on your specific notice rather than assuming every red-light offence can be resolved by paying a standard compound.
If the notice requires a court appearance, take it seriously and comply with the stated requirements. If you believe the offence was recorded incorrectly, use the appropriate official channel to raise the issue.
Can a red-light camera catch you in Malaysia?
Yes, traffic-monitoring and enforcement systems can be used to detect red-light offences. Authorities have also announced efforts to strengthen monitoring at major intersections.
Drivers should never assume that an intersection without a visible police officer is free from enforcement. Camera visibility, flash activation or the absence of an immediate stop does not establish whether an offence has been recorded.
If you receive a notice, check its details and the instructions provided by the issuing authority. Do not rely on unofficial claims about how long a summons takes to arrive.
What should you do if you receive a red-light summons?
Step 1: Verify the summons
Check the registration number, date, location, alleged offence and issuing authority. Make sure the notice relates to your vehicle.
Step 2: Check the deadline
Read the notice carefully to identify the payment deadline or court date. Do not assume that every notice has the same deadline.
Step 3: Use official channels
Check the relevant authority's official portal or application for the summons status and available payment or dispute procedures. JPJ lists MyJPJ, its public portal and MyEG among the available channels for eligible JPJ summonses.
Step 4: Keep proof of resolution
Retain the payment receipt or other confirmation after settling the matter. If you dispute the offence, keep copies of the notice and any supporting evidence.
Old way vs. Motorist App: Managing car ownership
The Motorist App is designed to help drivers manage car ownership more conveniently. It complements official enforcement services rather than replacing them, so drivers should still use the appropriate government channels for red-light summonses.
| Task | Manual approach | With Motorist App |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle information | Keep details in separate notes or documents | Keep relevant car-ownership information organised in one place |
| Maintenance reminders | Remember dates yourself or maintain a personal calendar | Use available app features to help manage vehicle-related reminders |
| Getting help with car ownership | Search for information across different sources | Access Motorist's car-ownership services and support |
| Red-light summons payment | Check the issuing authority's official channels | Use the official authority's channels; do not assume Motorist pays or clears summonses |
The practical difference: Motorist can help organise the wider responsibilities of owning a car, but it should not be presented as an official JPJ or PDRM summons-payment platform.
Expert tip: Check the actual summons, not just the amount
Do this before paying: Verify the summons through the issuing authority's official channel and check whether the notice is compoundable or requires court action. A reported compound of up to RM300 is not a guarantee that every case can be settled for that amount.
Keeping a digital copy of the notice and proof of payment can also help you resolve questions later.
Common mistake: Assuming a yellow light gives you permission to speed up
A yellow light is not an invitation to accelerate through an intersection. Trying to beat a changing signal can leave you entering the junction when cross-traffic has the right of way, increasing the risk of a serious collision.
Approach intersections at a controlled speed, watch the signal and stop safely when required. If you have already crossed the stop line, do not reverse suddenly into traffic to correct your position.
Conclusion
Running a red light in Malaysia can lead to a compound of up to RM300, a court fine of RM300 to RM2,000 upon conviction, and KEJARA demerit points that may put your driving licence at risk. Follow traffic signals, check any summons through official channels and use the Motorist App to help manage your wider car-ownership responsibilities.
FAQs
1. How much is the fine for running a red light in Malaysia?
The reported compound rate can reach RM300, while a court can impose a fine of RM300 to RM2,000 upon conviction under Section 79(2) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
2. Can I be fined RM2,000 for running a red light?
Yes. The court-imposed fine under Section 79(2) can range from RM300 to RM2,000 upon conviction. This is different from paying a compound.
3. How many KEJARA points do you get for running a red light?
The offence carries 4 demerit points for drivers of motor vehicles other than goods vehicles and buses, and 6 points for goods-vehicle and bus drivers.
4. Can running a red light cause my driving licence to be suspended?
Yes. Accumulating 20 or more KEJARA demerit points can lead to licence suspension under the applicable rules.
5. Can a traffic camera catch me running a red light in Malaysia?
Yes. Traffic-monitoring and enforcement systems can detect red-light offences. Whether a particular incident was recorded depends on the enforcement system and circumstances.
6. How do I check a red-light summons in Malaysia?
Check through the official channel of the authority that issued the summons. JPJ lists MyJPJ, its public portal and MyEG among the available channels for eligible JPJ summonses.
7. What happens if I ignore a red-light summons?
Ignoring a summons can lead to further complications. JPJ states that unpaid summonses or notices may be referred to court after 60 days, and failure to attend court can result in blacklisting until the matter is resolved. Check the requirements applicable to your specific notice.
8. Can I dispute a red-light summons if I believe it is incorrect?
You should follow the dispute or representation procedure provided by the issuing authority. Keep the summons and any relevant evidence, and comply with the notice's deadlines while seeking clarification.
9. Is the red-light fine increasing to RM500 in Malaysia?
A 2026 amendment bill proposed raising penalties for certain traffic offences, including disregarding traffic signals. The proposed amount should not be treated as the current penalty unless the relevant amendment has been enacted and brought into force.
10. Can the Motorist App help me pay a red-light summons?
The Motorist App supports broader car-ownership management, but you should check and settle traffic summonses through the relevant official authority. Do not assume the Motorist App can pay, dispute or clear a JPJ or PDRM summons.
Manage your car ownership with the Motorist app
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