Car rental in Malaysia

You can rent a car if you are between 23 and 70 years old and hold both a national driving licence and an International Driving Permit.

Malaysia is a former British colony, so people drive on the left and almost all cars are right-hand drive. The basic rules are similar to those in Europe, but there are some particular features of local driving:

• drivers almost never stop at pedestrian crossings, only slowing down if they see pedestrians;
• driving on the roads is generally unhurried, but also disorganised – cars can even drive along the central reservation;
• there are many motorcyclists and cyclists, so you should be especially careful.

In the cities, and along national roads and motorways, there are filling stations every few kilometres. However, if you drive further into rural areas, they become less frequent.

You can refuel with 95 and 98 petrol, as well as diesel and gas. The price per litre of fuel is about half the global average – around $0.5. In the city, you can pay in cash in the national currency, the Malaysian ringgit, or by credit card. Outside the city, it is always better to carry enough cash to pay for fuel and toll roads.

The police in Malaysia are generally quite tolerant towards foreigners, but fines are still issued. They can only be paid via the website of the Malaysian Road Transport Department. The main types of penalties are:

• for not wearing a seat belt – 30 ringgit;
• for speeding – 90 ringgit;
• for an illegal turn – 70 ringgit;
• for making an illegal turn across a double line – 130 ringgit.

Roads within cities and states are generally free. Toll motorways mainly connect the major cities, and the toll can be charged either at the beginning or at the end of the route. Payment is accepted in cash in ringgit only. The average toll for a private road is 2 – 5 dollars.