Driving without a valid car road tax puts oneself at great risk, such as hefty fines from authorities and claims rejection from insurers after an accident. In addition to a driver’s licence, a road tax is one of the documents that all vehicle owners must possess to operate their vehicles on public roads legally.
But to this day, we still hear news about people driving without a valid road tax and getting fined. This act is not only irresponsible, but it can potentially be harmful, especially when a mishap strikes.
Why do people refuse to renew roadtax?
While most vehicle owners in Malaysia renew road tax on time, some neglect or refuse to do so because they think of it as a minor offence.
Some common reasons people are reluctant to renew road tax could be because the road tax is expensive and the vehicle is rarely used. Others may skip renewals, possibly due to a lot of outstanding fines that have yet to be cleared.
There are also cases where the road tax has expired for a long time, and the owner is reluctant to go through a Puspakom inspection to get it renewed. Whatever the case, driving a vehicle without a valid road tax should not become a habit for anyone.
Renewing a road tax that has expired over 3 years
Renewing a road tax that has expired for over 3 years will be tedious. This is because vehicle owners need to go through additional procedures to get them reactivated. The processes involved in renewing a road tax, which has long been inactive, are explained below:
- Undergo a Puspakom inspection
If your vehicle’s road tax has expired for more than 36 months, it must undergo a Puspakom inspection and pass several tests. Your vehicle must be in good condition to avoid problems at the inspection centre. Ensuring its good condition makes the approval process quicker. Before you go, check the vehicle’s headlights, tyres, brakes and other important parts, which Puspakom officials will test.
2. Get a temporary travel permit
Since your road tax has expired, you need a temporary travel permit from the Road Transport Department (JPJ) before booking a Puspakom inspection. You can visit any nearby JPJ branch to request a temporary travel permit. Fill out the JPJ K12 form, which can be downloaded from JPJ’s official website. Along with the K12 form, bring the following documents to apply for a temporary travel permit:
- Vehicle registration document
- MyKad
- Driving licence
3. Inspection day
A typical Puspakom inspection includes several tests, such as a Brake Test, Suspension Test, Headlight Test and Smoke Emission Test, among others. These tests are conducted to ensure the vehicle’s safety is not compromised and complies with the regulations set by the authorities.
You will receive an inspection certificate on the same day if your vehicle successfully passes all the required tests. After receiving the certificate, remember to renew the vehicle road tax within 30 days.
On the day of the Puspakom inspection, please bring the following documents to aid the process:
- Vehicle registration document
- Owner’s identification card
- Driving licence
- Temporary travel permit
4. Settle outstanding fines
Before renewing an expired road tax, a vehicle owner must settle all outstanding fines from relevant authorities and ensure their name is not blacklisted. As these fines will be displayed in the database system of the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), clearing them before proceeding with the renewal process is crucial.
5. Renew insurance & roadtax
Once the Puspakom inspection and outstanding fines are settled, the road tax and vehicle insurance can be renewed as usual. It is up to the owners to decide the mode of the renewal process. It can be done online or offline. If you have budget constraints, online platforms like Bjak can be helpful as they offer instalment payment options for insurance renewal.
Renew road tax on time
A road tax is an important document that no one should ever overlook. Hence, never make it a habit to drive your vehicle without a valid road tax, as it can pose various threats to you.
Today, road tax renewals are much more convenient with online platforms that let you renew instantly. Use these alternatives and save yourself from the trouble of paying fines.
Bjak is one of Malaysia’s biggest insurance comparison websites, offering policies from over 10 brands. Get your free insurance quote from Bjak today!
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