Road Transport Department Malaysia / Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan Malaysia (JPJ) has issued a new design for International Driving Permit (IDP) for all Malaysians effective March 2024. This new design has a slightly smaller size than the old version and in a different color.
This new design also showed another significant change whereas the Coat of Arms (Jata Negara) on the cover of the permit has been replaced by the JPJ Logo.
Speaking to a JPJ official,we are told that this new design is made to standardize with other countries which have made similar change such as Canada, Singapore and United States of America.
A problem has arisen however, among Malaysians who received this new IDP. They are faced with the issue of car rental companies abroad who are not aware of this change and they fail to to recognize this new IDP design, resulting in rejection . This has caused them unable to rent vehicles for the purpose of touring during their vacation or work abroad.
According to our sources from JPJ, the road ministeries in foreign countries are aware of this change. However, the information might be delayed and have not reached all car rental companies, such as some in Tokyo and Osaka as well as Seoul.
JPJ has not made any statement on their official website or social media regarding this change, resulting in confusion among users of the new IDP and car rental companies worldwide.
We sincerely hope that JPJ take notice on this matter and make an official statement on their website regarding this change and include the image and dimension of the new design to facilitate millions of Malaysians overseas during their tour and endeavours.