What Happens If You Miss Renewing Your Roadtax? Risks and How to Fix It

Forgot to renew your roadtax?

An expired roadtax (LKM) means your vehicle licence is no longer valid. You should renew it before driving the vehicle on public roads.

If your roadtax has already expired, don’t panic. First, check your status and make sure your insurance is active before renewing.

What Happens If You Don’t Renew Your Roadtax?

You Could Face Enforcement Action

Driving a vehicle with an expired LKM is an offence under the Road Transport Act 1987.

The penalty depends on the specific offence and how it is dealt with. It is not accurate to say that every expired roadtax automatically comes with a RM3,000 fine.

JPJ’s current 2026 enforcement list sets different compound rates for certain expired-LKM offences. The Road Transport (Amendment) Act 2026 also increases the maximum compound ceiling for specified offences from RM300 to RM500, but this does not mean every roadtax offence automatically carries a RM500 compound. The government has stated that the new maximum is intended to be enforced from 1 January 2029.

You Need Valid Insurance to Renew Roadtax

Your vehicle needs valid insurance before you can renew its LKM.

If your insurance has also expired, renew your insurance first. Driving without the required insurance is a separate offence and can leave you without insurance protection for an accident.

Your Vehicle May Need Additional Inspection If Roadtax Has Been Expired for More Than 3 Years

A long-expired roadtax can involve additional requirements.

According to JPJ, if the last LKM expiry date was more than three years before the renewal application, the vehicle generally needs to undergo and pass the required vehicle inspection before the LKM can be renewed. JPJ allows PUSPAKOM inspection for vehicles, while certain individually owned motorcycles may qualify for a PG10 inspection in specified circumstances.

Don’t Assume You Can Drive the Vehicle to Renew It

If your roadtax has expired, avoid driving the vehicle on public roads until you have confirmed that you are legally allowed to do so.

For vehicles whose LKM has been expired for more than three years and require inspection, JPJ states that the registered owner or representative can apply for a Temporary Travel Permit (PPS), subject to the applicable conditions, including having valid insurance.

How to Fix an Expired Roadtax

Step 1: Check Your Roadtax Status

Open the MyJPJ app and check your vehicle information and LKM expiry date.

MyJPJ allows users to check their LKM details and other vehicle-related information digitally.

You can also check whether your insurance is still active.

Step 2: Renew Your Insurance If Necessary

If your car insurance has expired, renew it before applying for your roadtax.

You can compare and renew car insurance through BJAK and choose a policy that suits your vehicle and coverage needs.

Step 3: Renew Your Roadtax

Once your insurance is active, you can proceed with your LKM renewal through the available JPJ channels.

For eligible private vehicles, MyJPJ supports digital LKM services. JPJ also provides other renewal channels, including JPJ counters and selected service locations.

Roadtax can generally be renewed up to two months before its expiry date, subject to JPJ’s requirements.

Step 4: Check for Any JPJ Restrictions

If you cannot complete the renewal, check whether there is a restriction or other issue affecting the vehicle.

MyJPJ can be used to check JPJ summons, demerit points and blacklist information.

If the vehicle has been expired for more than three years, check the additional inspection requirements before attempting to renew.

Can You Renew Roadtax If It Has Just Expired?

In many cases, yes.

There is no separate JPJ rule saying you must wait a certain number of days after your roadtax expires before renewing it.

The important thing is to make sure your insurance is valid and that there are no restrictions preventing the renewal.

However, don’t continue driving just because you can still renew the roadtax. An expired LKM means you should deal with the renewal before using the vehicle on the road.

How to Avoid Forgetting Your Roadtax Renewal

Set a Reminder

Add your roadtax expiry date to your phone calendar.

Set a reminder a few weeks before the expiry date so you have enough time to renew your insurance and roadtax.

Check Your Status on MyJPJ

Make it a habit to check your vehicle information through MyJPJ.

The app allows you to check your LKM expiry date and view your digital vehicle documents.

Renew Before the Expiry Date

You don’t have to wait until the last day.

JPJ allows LKM renewal up to two months before the expiry date, subject to the applicable requirements.

What Should You Do If Your Roadtax Has Expired?

An expired roadtax is something you should deal with as soon as possible.

Check your LKM status through MyJPJ, make sure your insurance is valid and proceed with the renewal through an available JPJ channel.

If the roadtax has been expired for more than three years, check whether your vehicle needs an inspection before renewal.

Need to renew your insurance first? Get a car insurance quotation from BJAK.