Can you use your phone while stopped at a red light in Malaysia?

No. In Malaysia, using a handheld phone while stopped at a red light is an offence, because you are still driving, and the usual penalty is a RM300 compound under Rule 17A of the Road Traffic Rules 1959, plus demerit points on your licence. That 90-second red light feels like free time, but JPJ and PDRM treat it as part of your drive, and a quick glance at WhatsApp can turn into a saman.

Malaysia's Road Transport (Amendment) Act 2026 came into force in October 2026, so many drivers are asking what has changed. 

Key takeaways

• It's illegal at a red light. Stopped at a traffic light or stuck in a jam, holding a phone is still an offence under Rule 17A of the Road Traffic Rules 1959.
• The standard penalty is RM300. That is the compound amount. If you are charged in court instead, reported penalties go up to RM2,000, up to six months' jail, or both.
• Demerit points apply. The government's KEJARA guide lists 10 demerit points for using a mobile phone while driving; 20 points means a 6-month licence suspension.
• The new law has not raised this compound yet. The Road Transport (Amendment) Act 2026 is in force, but the maximum compound only rises from RM300 to RM500 on 1 January 2029.
• The fix is simple. Set your route and playlist before you move, and let the Motorist App handle reminders, fines and renewals so you never need to touch your phone mid-drive.

Is it legal to use your phone at a red light in Malaysia?

The short answer is no, and being stationary does not change that. Holding a phone while stopped at a traffic light or stuck in a traffic jam is still an offence under Malaysia’s road traffic rules, so the claim that it’s allowed is false.

The law sees a red light as a pause, not a parking spot. Your engine is on, your gear is engaged and your car is in a live lane. You are in control of a vehicle on a public road, so the rule applies. JPJ has publicly stated that drivers cannot pick up phones while waiting at a red light.

Enforcement is active, not theoretical. During the 2026 Hari Raya Aidilfitri period, JPJ reported that running red lights and using mobile phones were the most common offences in Selangor. Back in 2016, police issued more than 46,000 summonses for phone use while driving, up about 4,000 from 2015.

How much is the fine for using a phone while driving in Malaysia?

The standard compound is RM300, but the exposure is larger if you end up in court. Here is how the numbers stack up as of 30 October 2026.

What about the Road Transport (Amendment) Act 2026? The Dewan Rakyat passed it on 24 June 2026, and the Transport Ministry confirmed it is now in force. It targets illegal racing (Section 42A), tonto syndicates (Section 110B) and enforcement-camera accountability for registered owners.

The compound hike is on a delay. The ministry said the increase in the compound ceiling from RM300 to RM500 takes effect on 1 January 2029. It also clarified that not every offence will automatically become RM500, since the amount depends on the offence and the prescribed rules.

Does hands-free or a phone holder make it legal?

Hands-free use is treated differently from holding a phone, but it is not risk-free. The offence is aimed at using a handheld device while driving. A secured phone mount for navigation or a Bluetooth call is not the same as typing on a phone held in your hand.

Road safety experts still warn against it. Even hands-free devices do not fully remove the danger of using a phone while driving. At a red light, the real risk is looking down, missing the green light and holding up traffic.

Where to be careful. Do not rest the phone on your lap or in your hand "just for a second". Headphones and earphones are a separate issue, and online guides cite Section 41(1)(c) of the Road Transport Act 1987 on that point, so keep both ears free to hear sirens and horns.

Why do drivers still get caught?

Most saman happen in "dead time". The usual triggers are checking a message at a long light, picking up the phone to adjust GPS in a jam, or answering a call without a mount. Each feels harmless because the car is not moving.

Cameras and spot checks add up. JPJ and PDRM run enforcement operations, and drivers have been summonsed after viral videos showed phones in hand at red lights. A 2025 Rojak Daily roundup also lists phone use among the common offences that carry fines of RM150 to RM2,000.

The cost is more than the fine. A RM300 saman plus 10 demerit points affects your licence record and, down the line, how insurers may view your driving history. Ask your insurer how it treats traffic offences.

Old way vs. Motorist app: Staying saman-free

Most phone-at-the-light moments come from tasks you could have handled earlier. The Motorist App (AutoConcierge) lets you sort those out before you start driving. This table compares the usual approach with the app.

Expert tip

Set up your drive before you shift out of Park. Enter your destination, pick your music and switch on your phone's Driving or Do Not Disturb mode while the car is still parked, then use a secured mount. If you need to check something, pull over safely. A red light is not a safe place to do it.

Common mistake

"I'm just checking GPS in a jam, so it's fine." A Malaysian driver reported being stopped for picking up his phone to adjust GPS in a traffic jam when the car was idle. Idle does not mean exempt. Adjust your route before you leave, or ask a passenger to do it.

What should you do instead at a red light?

Use the pause to prepare, not to scroll. Keep both hands on the wheel, check your mirrors, and let calls go to voicemail. If something urgent comes up, wait until you can park legally and safely.

Move the "phone jobs" out of the car. Renewals, insurance comparisons and summons checks can all be done at home. The Motorist App (AutoConcierge) puts those in one place with reminders, so you are not scrambling on the road.

Check your record regularly. You can look up KEJARA points through the MySIKAP JPJ portal or at a JPJ counter. If your points are climbing, treat that as your cue to change habits.

Conclusion

Using your phone at a red light in Malaysia is illegal, carrying a RM300 compound and 10 demerit points, with higher exposure if you are taken to court. The 2026 amendments are in force, but the compound ceiling only rises to RM500 on 1 January 2029. Do your phone tasks before you drive, and keep your hands on the wheel.

FAQ

1. Can I use my phone at a red light in Malaysia?
No. Holding and using a phone while stopped at a red light is an offence under Rule 17A of the Road Traffic Rules 1959, because you are still considered to be driving.

2. How much is the fine for using a phone while driving in Malaysia?
The standard compound is RM300. If you are charged in court, reported penalties reach up to RM2,000, up to six months' jail, or both.

3. How many demerit points do you get for using a phone while driving?
The government's KEJARA guide lists 10 demerit points for using a mobile phone while driving. Reaching 20 points leads to a 6-month licence suspension.

4. Is using a phone in a traffic jam also an offence?
Yes. The Star's QuickCheck confirmed that using a phone while stopped at a traffic light or during a jam is an offence under Malaysian law.

5. Does the Road Transport (Amendment) Act 2026 change the phone fine?
Not yet. The Act is in force, but the increase in the compound ceiling from RM300 to RM500 only takes effect on 1 January 2029, and the amount depends on the offence.

6. Can I use my phone for GPS while driving in Malaysia?Set your route before you drive and use a secured mount. Picking the phone up to change the route while at a light can still lead to a saman.

7. Is hands-free calling allowed in Malaysia?
The offence targets handheld use, but experts warn hands-free devices still distract. Keep calls short or wait until you are parked.

8. How do I check my KEJARA demerit points?
You can check through the MySIKAP JPJ portal or at a nearby JPJ counter. Points are halved after one year if you commit no new offence.

9. How do I check and pay my saman in Malaysia?
You can check and pay summonses through the MyJPJ app, and the Motorist App also sends summons alerts and supports in-app payment.

10. Will a phone saman affect my insurance?
It can affect your driving record, which some insurers consider. Ask your insurer how it treats traffic offences, or compare quotes in the Motorist App.

Take the stress out of car ownership

Download the Motorist App (AutoConcierge) to get road tax and insurance reminders, summons alerts and in-app payment, all in one place, so you never need to touch your phone while driving. 

Read More: Can You Record a JPJ Roadblock? What Malaysian Drivers Should Know

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