Singapore cars entering Johor now need entry permit

Vehicles lining up on the Causeway on Dec 18, 2015. PHOTO: ST FILE

Malaysia began implementing its Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) system on Singapore-registered cars yesterday, although motorists were not charged the RM20 ($6.60) levy as the authorities were conducting a test run until July 15.

More than 120,000 owners of Singapore cars have registered for the VEP, said Public Works, Rural and Regional Development Committee chairman Hasni Mohammad.

He added that all vehicle lanes at both checkpoints are equipped with cameras and sensors to read licence plates and radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags, which are issued to registered vehicles.

"We also do not offer special discounts, like Singapore does," he said.

  • How to register

  • •Create an account at Malaysia's Road Transport Department (RTD) website.

    •You can download your Vehicle Registration Card PDF file from the website of Singapore's Land Transport Authority and upload it to the RTD website. Once successful, a PDF confirmation slip will be sent to you via e-mail.

    •Those registering at the Johor Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex will need to have their vehicle registration card, latest insurance cover note and passport with them.

    •To collect the VEP tag, users must have the registered vehicle, passport, confirmation slip and RM10 (S$3.30) for an administration fee.

    •The VEP tag is valid for five years and must be renewed three months before the expiry date. •For more details, visit the RTD website at https://vep.jpj.gov.my

Singapore first raised its VEP levy for Malaysian-registered vehicles from $20 to $35 per weekday in 2014. But each vehicle is allowed 10 free days per year in Singapore. Cars entering Singapore between 5pm and 2am on weekdays and all day on weekends and public holidays do not have to pay for a permit.

Malaysia has repeatedly delayed implementing its levy, which was supposed to have taken effect on Aug 1 last year, due to technical issues. The levy can be paid only with a Touch 'n Go card, a cash card that motorists use to pay toll fees on all Malaysian expressways.

Malaysia also introduced a new measure yesterday requiring immigration officers to personally check all vehicles with multiple passengers, to ensure that the numbers tally with the number of passports presented.

THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on June 02, 2016, with the headline Singapore cars entering Johor now need entry permit. Subscribe