RM300 fines issued as Malaysia begins strict VEP enforcement for Singapore-registered vehicles
Malaysia has officially begun enforcing the long-awaited Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) scheme at its land border with Singapore, issuing RM300 (US$70) fines to Singapore-registered vehicles lacking valid or activated VEP RFID tags. The enforcement kicked off at midnight on July 1, ending a months-long grace period.
Enforcement Begins With Midnight Crackdown
On July 1, just after midnight, Malaysia’s Road Transport Department (JPJ) began active enforcement of the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) requirement at the Johor-Singapore Causeway. Officers set up a roadblock roughly 100 metres from the Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex. Within the first 15 minutes, at least 15 Singapore-registered vehicles were pulled over, and drivers without valid or activated VEP tags were fined RM300 on the spot.
Singaporean student Safir Farhan, 19, was among the first to be penalized. “It’s trouble because you have to pay. (But) it’s the law, so can’t really do anything about it,” he told CNA.
Tag Not Activated? You Pay
According to JPJ Director-General Aedy Fadli Ramli, the focus for now is on vehicles that have not registered for or activated their VEP tags. Motorists caught without compliance must pay the fine, register, and activate the tag before they are allowed to leave Malaysia.
Aedy confirmed that over 248,000 VEP tags have been issued to Singapore private vehicles as of June 29, but around 42,000 remain unactivated. TCSens, the vendor managing VEP installations, has now extended its Danga Bay office hours to operate 24/7 to handle the influx of motorists.
Avoiding Checkpoint Chaos
To prevent congestion at the border, JPJ has strategically placed enforcement operations away from checkpoints such as the Causeway and Second Link. Enforcement will focus initially on high-traffic areas in Johor before expanding to other Malaysian states where Singaporean vehicles are frequently seen.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke had previously stated that VEP violations won’t bar entry. However, violators must settle their compounds and complete their VEP registration before exiting Malaysia. Failure to comply could lead to legal action, with maximum penalties of RM2,000 and up to six months’ jail under Malaysian traffic laws.
Public Reaction And Compliance
Despite the fines, many Singaporeans appear to understand the enforcement. Singaporean retiree Lee Kim Hock, 70, who was also fined, responded calmly: “My VEP is going to be delivered in two days. But it’s okay, I’ll just settle the fine.”
Others like Mohd Hafizul Ramli, a Singaporean firefighter living in Johor, noted they had registered but were caught because the RFID tag had not been installed yet. With some 54 people in line at 2am, the Danga Bay center saw high overnight traffic from drivers trying to meet compliance standards quickly.
What Is The VEP?
The VEP is a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)-based system used to monitor foreign vehicles entering Malaysia. First announced in 2017 and rolled out in October 2024, it tracks cross-border traffic and outstanding summonses. The system is part of Malaysia’s broader traffic enforcement and road safety strategy.
Authorities believe most Singaporeans are law-abiding, and the enforcement targets only a small group of non-compliant drivers. “Register and activate, and you can enter Malaysia anytime,” said Aedy, urging all drivers to comply moving forward.
The start of VEP enforcement signals a shift in Malaysia’s cross-border vehicle regulation, with significant implications for Singaporeans driving into Johor. While the initial fines sparked anxiety for some, most drivers acknowledge the long grace period and see the enforcement as fair. For Indonesian observers and frequent travelers in the region, the development highlights Malaysia’s increasing use of digital enforcement tools and regional road compliance systems.
Sources: CNA (2025) , Malay Mail (2025)
Keywords: Vehicle Entry Permit, VEP Malaysia, Singapore Car Fines, Johor Border, JPJ Enforcement, RFID Tag
