Roadtax and insurance: why the order matters
Roadtax (Lesen Kenderaan Motor, LKM) is the licence that allows your vehicle on public roads. JPJ will only renew it if the vehicle has valid motor insurance covering the new roadtax period. That’s why insurance always comes first.
Most people renew both at the same time, through an insurance agent or an online service, so the dates stay in sync.
Renew roadtax & car insurance on WhatsApp
What you need before you start
- Vehicle plate number
- The registered owner’s IC number (or company registration for company vehicles)
- Postcode where the car is kept
- Vehicle grant (VOC) details, especially if it’s your first time with a new agent or insurer
- For commercial vehicles: a valid PUSPAKOM inspection where required
- If the road tax expired more than three years ago: a PUSPAKOM inspection before renewal
JPJ only lets you renew road tax that will expire within two months, for six months or one year at a time. Check how much it costs with the road tax calculator.
Step by step
- Check your expiry dates. Look at your current insurance schedule and roadtax in the MyJPJ app.
- Get an insurance quote. Check the sum insured, your NCD and the add-ons (windscreen, flood, additional drivers).
- Pay for the insurance. The new policy is issued and linked to your vehicle.
- Renew the roadtax. With valid insurance, pay the roadtax amount, which depends on engine capacity, vehicle type and region.
- Check the digital roadtax. Open the MyJPJ app to confirm the new expiry date.
With an agent like Lulu, steps 2 to 4 happen in one WhatsApp conversation.
Do I still need a roadtax sticker?
Malaysia has moved to digital roadtax for Malaysian-owned private vehicles, so you generally don’t need to display a sticker. You can show the roadtax in the MyJPJ app if asked. Some vehicle categories and owners may still need a printed roadtax, so check if you’re unsure.
If your roadtax or insurance has expired
- Stop driving the car until it is renewed. Driving with expired insurance means you have no cover if there’s an accident, and driving with expired roadtax is an offence.
- Renew the insurance first. A new policy starts from the date it is issued, not backdated.
- Then renew the roadtax. If it has been expired for a long time, extra checks or steps may apply.
If your insurance has lapsed for a while, your NCD may also be affected, so tell your agent the full story.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Setting the sum insured too low to cut the premium. You could be underinsured if the car is written off.
- Forgetting additional drivers. A family member who drives regularly should be named.
- Dropping flood cover to save a little, then living in a flood-prone area.
- Using a private policy for e-hailing. Driving for Grab needs e-hailing cover.
- Leaving it to the last day. Any data mismatch can delay the renewal.