What Happens If You Drive With Expired Road Tax?
Nabil Farhan· · 4 min readTable of contents
Driving with expired road tax can result in enforcement action in Malaysia. Road tax, officially known as the Motor Vehicle Licence (LKM), must be valid for a vehicle to be used on public roads. If your road tax has expired, do not continue driving as usual. Check your LKM status, make sure your motor insurance or takaful is active, and renew your road tax before using the vehicle again.
What Happens If You Drive With Expired Road Tax?
Once your road tax expires, your vehicle no longer has a valid LKM. In BJAK’s guide referring to JPJ’s 2026 enforcement list, using a vehicle with expired LKM is listed as a non-compoundable (NC) offence. Further action depends on the offence and the applicable legal process.
Here are some key situations to understand:
| Situation | What you need to know |
|---|---|
| Driving with expired road tax | You may face enforcement action. |
| Your motor insurance has also expired | This is a separate issue. A vehicle must have the required valid motor insurance to be used on public roads. |
| Your road tax has been expired for a long time | A vehicle inspection may be required before the LKM can be renewed. |
| Your digital road tax is not displayed | This is different from expired road tax. For vehicles eligible for e-LKM, JPJ can verify the licence status through its systems. |
Do not assume that every expired-road-tax case carries the same fine. Check any notice you receive and the relevant official information to understand the action that applies to your case.
Can You Drive If Your Insurance Is Active but Your Road Tax Has Expired?
No. Active motor insurance does not replace the requirement to have valid road tax. They serve different purposes: insurance provides cover according to your policy, while a valid LKM is required for the vehicle to be used on public roads in accordance with the law.
The same applies if your road tax is valid but your insurance has expired. You should not use a vehicle without the motor insurance required by law.
Before driving, check both expiry dates. Refer to JPJ’s Motor Vehicle Licence Renewal Guide for official information about road tax renewal requirements.
What Should You Do If Your Road Tax Has Expired?
Follow these steps before using your car or motorcycle again:
- Check your LKM expiry date. Use the MyJPJ app to check your vehicle’s digital road tax information.
- Check your motor insurance or takaful. If the cover has expired, renew it first.
- Renew your road tax. Use an available renewal channel, subject to JPJ requirements and your vehicle’s status.
- Check for additional requirements if your road tax has been expired for a long time. If the LKM has been expired for more than three years, a vehicle inspection may be required before renewal. Confirm the latest requirements with JPJ before arranging an inspection.
If you need to renew your insurance first, you can compare car insurance options through BJAK before proceeding with your road tax renewal.
Can You Drive to JPJ to Renew Your Road Tax?
Do not assume you can drive a vehicle with expired road tax to a JPJ office or inspection centre. Contact JPJ to confirm the permitted way to arrange renewal or inspection. If your LKM has been expired for more than three years and your vehicle needs an inspection, ask JPJ whether you qualify for a Temporary Travel Permit (PPS) and what conditions apply.
How Can You Avoid Expired Road Tax?
The simplest way is to check your expiry date early and set a reminder on your phone. JPJ allows private-vehicle LKM renewal within the permitted period before expiry, subject to the applicable requirements.
You can also check your LKM status through the official JPJ website. Do not wait until your road tax expires to arrange your insurance and renewal.
Conclusion
Driving with expired road tax can lead to enforcement action, so do not use your vehicle on public roads until its LKM has been renewed and is valid. Make sure your motor insurance or takaful is active as well, and check with JPJ if your road tax has been expired for a long time or your vehicle needs an additional inspection.
