Driving in Malaysia: what are the rules for travelers?

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Driving — Malaysia

What travelers need to know about driving in Malaysia. What is legal at home can be a serious crime here — each rule links to its official source.

Short answer

Driving in Malaysia: allowed only under specific conditions.

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CONDITIONAL

You may drive in Malaysia only with both a valid International Driving Permit (obtained before arrival) and a valid US license; traffic drives on the left.

Driving without an IDP is against local law and can bring fines.

§ US State Dept — Malaysia

Verified Jul 19, 2026

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LawLert is an independent app and is not affiliated with any government. It summarizes laws from official government and U.S. State Department sources for general information only. This is not legal advice, and laws change. Always confirm with official sources and local authorities before you travel.