Transport ministry eases criteria for upgrade of motorcycle licences

2 months ago

The government previously announced plans to introduce a special transition programme to facilitate upgrades of B1 and B2 motorcycle licences to B class.

PETALING JAYA:

The transport ministry has agreed to loosen the requirements for those seeking to upgrade their B1 and B2 class motorcycle licences to B class.

Minister Loke Siew Fook said applicants now only need to have a total validity period of 10 years or more for their licences, instead of 10 consecutive years.

"We have listened to the public’s feedback and recognise that many of these concerns are valid, especially since many mentioned that they were unable to renew their licences continuously during the movement control order," he told a press conference in Putrajaya today.

"With immediate effect, we are further simplifying this requirement – the validity period of the driving licence only needs to be active or meet the 10-year mark or more; it doesn’t need to be 10 consecutive years."

B2 driving licences are for motorcycles not exceeding 250cc, and B class licences are for those exceeding 500cc.

The government previously announced plans to introduce a special transition programme to facilitate upgrades to B class licences by October.

To qualify, applicants must have held a B1 or B2 licence for at least 10 years and be free from blacklists, outstanding fines, transaction restrictions, and serious criminal records.

Additionally, applicants must complete a two-hour transition and adaptation programme at a driving institute, which covers practical riding and safe driving techniques for motorcycles exceeding 500cc.

At the press conference, Loke said the MyJPJ mobile app would be updated to reflect these changes and requested that the public remain patient during this transition.

He added that the transport ministry was willing to adjust the requirements to make it easier for the public.

"The transport ministry is open to hearing opinions and feedback; we are not rigid in our requirements. Sometimes we set conditions that may not be practical or align with our policy goals," he said.

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