A Singaporean man, Rasidi Awang, 53, drove to Danga Bay in Johor Bahru on Sunday to check on his Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) application and ended up queuing for three hours. Arriving at the TCSens office in Malaysia at 8:45 am on 22 September, Rasidi joined a queue of about 150 people, which moved every 10 to 15 minutes. Despite the wait, he managed to sort out his VEP application by 11:45 am. This trip was necessary after he and his son faced difficulties checking the VEP application online.
Background
The TCSens office in Danga Bay is the vendor appointed by Malaysia’s Road Transport Department (JPJ) to provide information to Singapore motorists. Other VEP offices in Taman Daya (JPJ Complex) and Larkin, which were open on Sunday, only handle VEP Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags collection and installation by appointment and do not assist with queries. The VEP system is crucial for foreign-registered vehicles entering Malaysia, with enforcement starting from 1 October 2024. Motorists failing to comply may face fines up to RM2,000 (US$606) or imprisonment for up to six months.
No such luck
Not all Singaporeans had a smooth experience. Alhakim Salim, 41, arrived at Johor’s JPJ Complex at 7 am, only to be informed an hour later that the office could not resolve his issues. He then proceeded to the TCSens office in Danga Bay, where he completed his VEP application around 12 pm.
Woodlands VEP office in Singapore
Singaporeans can also collect their VEP tags at the Woodlands office, the only VEP installation and information centre in Singapore currently. This centre can install between 100 to 150 tags and handle 100 enquiries per day. Common issues faced by motorists include difficulties completing online payments on the VEP application portal, deregistering VEP applications of previous owners for second-hand vehicles, and obtaining physical tags for applications made years ago when the scheme was first announced.
Future implications
With the enforcement date approaching, the demand for VEP tags is expected to increase. Motorists are advised to resolve their VEP applications promptly to avoid penalties. The Malaysian authorities have emphasised the importance of the VEP system in regulating foreign-registered vehicles and ensuring compliance with local regulations. As the deadline nears, both the TCSens office in Danga Bay and the Woodlands office in Singapore are likely to see a surge in visitors seeking assistance with their VEP applications.
