Many Malaysians have an old kapcai or scooter sitting in the porch, unused since they bought a car or moved for work. When you finally want to ride it again, the first problem is usually the roadtax, which may have expired years ago.
You are not alone. JPJ found that more than 15 million vehicles had roadtax that had been expired for over five years, and motorcycles make up a large share of them, as reported by Motorist.
The good news is that you can still renew it. What you need to do depends on how long the roadtax, officially called the Motor Vehicle Licence (LKM), has been expired. This guide walks you through both situations for motorcycles.
First, find out when the roadtax expired
Everything depends on the date the last LKM expired. Check it before you buy anything or book any inspection. Our guide on how to check your roadtax expiry date shows the official ways to find it, including the MyJPJ app.
Time since the LKM expired
Inspection needed?
What to do
Less than 3 years
No, not because of the expiry
Renew insurance, then renew roadtax as usual
More than 3 years
Yes, PUSPAKOM or PG10
Get insurance, pass the inspection, then renew
The three-year rule has applied since September 2020. Before that, private vehicles needed a PUSPAKOM inspection once the roadtax had been expired for 12 months, as reported by Free Malaysia Today.
If the roadtax expired less than three years ago
This is the easier case. Your motorcycle does not need a special inspection just because the roadtax lapsed. You can follow the normal renewal process:
Check that the motorcycle is not blacklisted, for example because of unpaid summonses.
Buy motorcycle insurance or takaful that covers the roadtax period you want.
Renew the roadtax through an available channel, such as an online platform or a JPJ counter.
Check the new LKM status in the MyJPJ app after the renewal.
Here, JPJ requires the motorcycle to undergo and pass a vehicle inspection before the LKM can be renewed. This is stated in the JPJ vehicle FAQ. The process has a few more steps, so plan ahead.
1. Make sure the insurance is in force
Valid motorcycle insurance or takaful comes first. JPJ needs it before it will issue a travel permit, and you also need cover for the roadtax period you plan to renew. Buy a policy that starts now, not one that only starts after the inspection.
If your cover lapsed together with the roadtax, our article on lapsed motorcycle insurance explains the risks and how to get insured again.
2. Choose the right inspection: PUSPAKOM or PG10
Unlike cars, motorcycles may have two options. According to the JPJ vehicle FAQ:
PUSPAKOM inspection: applies to all types of vehicles, including motorcycles.
PG10 inspection: carried out by JPJ, and only for motorcycles owned by individuals, motorcycles inspected during JPJ programmes and motorcycles seized by JPJ.
So, do not assume your old motorcycle must go to PUSPAKOM. If the bike is registered in your own name, ask your nearest JPJ office whether you can use the PG10 route and how to arrange it. A company-owned motorcycle will go through PUSPAKOM.
3. Get a travel permit before you ride there
A motorcycle without valid roadtax must not be ridden on public roads, and that includes the trip to the inspection centre. The JPJ vehicle FAQ says the registered owner or a representative must apply for a temporary travel permit (Permit Perjalanan Sementara, or PPS) at a JPJ office, on condition that the vehicle’s insurance is in force.
Ask JPJ how long your permit is valid and plan the trip within that time. If you would rather not ride at all, you can send the motorcycle on a lorry or a tow truck.
4. Book and attend the inspection
If you are going to PUSPAKOM, book a slot through its appointment page. PUSPAKOM lists private vehicles with roadtax expired for more than three years under its Special Inspection.
At the time of writing, the PUSPAKOM inspection types and fees page shows RM20 for a motorcycle under Special Inspection. Check the page again before you book, as fees can change.
5. Renew the LKM after the bike passes
Once the motorcycle passes, bring the inspection result and your insurance details to JPJ to complete the renewal and pay the roadtax. If someone else is handling it on the owner’s behalf, check with JPJ first which extra documents a representative needs.
Prepare your old motorcycle before the inspection
A bike that has been parked for years often has problems you cannot see straight away. Rubber parts harden, batteries die and brakes can seize. A quick check at a workshop before the inspection can save you a second trip.
Pay attention to these items:
Headlight, brake light and signal lights
Horn and side mirrors
Tyres, which can crack or go flat after long storage
Front and rear brakes
Number plates that are clear and in the correct format
The chassis number and engine number, which must match the registration record
The general body condition, including any loose or missing parts
If the motorcycle fails, fix the items listed in the report and follow the instructions for a re-inspection. Do not try to renew the roadtax until it has passed.
Can you renew an old motorcycle’s roadtax online?
It depends on how long the roadtax has been expired. If it is less than three years, you can usually renew online once your insurance is active and there is no blacklist on the record.
If it is more than three years, you cannot skip straight to an online renewal. The inspection and the renewal at JPJ must be done first. After that, the motorcycle is back in the normal cycle, and you can renew future roadtax online.
Do not leave it too long
Riding with expired roadtax is an offence, and JPJ can take enforcement action, including issuing a summons. Our article on what happens if you drive with expired road tax explains the risks in more detail.
The longer you wait, the more steps you may need before the bike is legal again. If you rarely ride, set a reminder for the expiry date. JPJ allows you to renew up to two months before the LKM expires.
If the motorcycle is damaged beyond repair and you will never ride it again, renewing may not make sense. JPJ has introduced the e-Dereg system for owners who want to deregister vehicles that are no longer in use.
Conclusion
Renewing roadtax for an old motorcycle is mostly about getting the order right. If the roadtax expired less than three years ago, renew the insurance and then the roadtax. If it is more than three years, get insurance first, apply for a travel permit, pass the PUSPAKOM or PG10 inspection and then renew at JPJ.
My motorcycle roadtax expired more than 3 years ago. Must I go to PUSPAKOM?
Not necessarily. The JPJ vehicle FAQ says PUSPAKOM inspection applies to all vehicles, while motorcycles owned by individuals can also use JPJ’s PG10 inspection. Ask your nearest JPJ office which route applies to your bike.
My motorcycle roadtax expired 2 years ago. Do I need an inspection?
No. Since September 2020, private vehicles whose roadtax has been expired for less than three years do not need an inspection just because it lapsed. Renew your insurance first, then renew the roadtax.
How much is the PUSPAKOM inspection for a motorcycle?
At the time of writing, PUSPAKOM’s fees page lists RM20 for a motorcycle under Special Inspection, which covers private vehicles with roadtax expired for more than three years. Check the latest fee before you book.
Can I ride my motorcycle to PUSPAKOM if the roadtax has expired?
Only with a temporary travel permit (PPS) from a JPJ office. The registered owner or a representative applies for it, and the motorcycle’s insurance must be in force. Otherwise, transport the bike on a lorry or tow truck.
Can I renew an old motorcycle's roadtax online?
Yes, if the roadtax expired less than three years ago and your insurance is active. If it is more than three years, you must pass the inspection and renew at JPJ first. Future renewals can then be done online.
How early can I renew my motorcycle roadtax?
JPJ allows you to renew the LKM up to two months before it expires. Renewing early helps you avoid the extra steps that come with a long-expired roadtax.
Nabil Farhan· · 6 min read
