The Malaysian Driving Institute Association (PIMA) anticipates an increase in driving license applications following the announcement of the Budi Madani RON95 (BUDI95) program, which takes effect on 30 September.
PIMA President Mat Aris Bakar explained that the rise is expected due to some individuals potentially using family members’ driving licenses to claim the government’s monthly 300-liter fuel subsidy.
“Although it is still early to predict the full impact of this initiative, the trend of increased applications is likely if the allocated quota is insufficient for daily needs,” he said.
“In a family, there may be children who are eligible for a license but do not yet own a vehicle. That license could be used by other family members to claim the petrol subsidy. This situation indirectly encourages more applications for new driving licenses,” Mat Aris told Sinar Harian.
Under the BUDI95 program, all Malaysian citizens will receive a monthly subsidy ceiling of 300 liters of RON95 fuel starting 30 September. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim noted that non-citizens and large corporations will no longer qualify for the subsidy and must pay the full price of around RM2.60 per liter, while citizens pay RM1.99 per liter.
According to Mat Aris, records show that approximately 500,000 to 600,000 new licenses are issued annually across the country, with about 50% being motorcycle licenses and the remainder for cars.
“Current trends show that urban areas tend to see more car license applications, while rural areas have higher motorcycle license applications. Teenagers aged 16 to 17 make up nearly 90% of new license applicants,” he added.
Mat Aris also welcomed the government’s measures to regulate subsidy claims using driving licenses and identity cards. He said this effort ensures that only eligible Malaysian citizens benefit from the program and is expected to reduce leakage, particularly in border areas where foreign nationals previously enjoyed the country’s fuel subsidy.
