The Ministry of Transport (MOT) and the Road Transport Department (JPJ) have announced that the licensing guidelines for periodic inspections of motor vehicles will be available on their official websites starting April 15. This move is aimed at ensuring the integrity, orderly conduct, and quality of inspections to guarantee vehicle and road safety.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke highlighted that the guidelines contain all the service requirements for inspection procedures, inspection equipment, inspection center operating requirements, service level agreements, and other regulations. These requirements are divided into seven main components, including a paid-up capital requirement of RM10 million for the company and an annual turnover requirement of RM5 million to ensure business sustainability.
License holders will only be allowed to carry out mandatory inspections under the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333) and are prohibited from offering motor vehicle repair services, modifications, spare parts sales, vehicle sales, or any related transactions to maintain integrity. The location of the inspection centers will be determined by MOT, with each bid having two locations – one in an urban area and one in a rural area. Applicants must develop and operate the centers in both locations simultaneously.
The tender for licensing is open to registered local companies with licenses from the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) and the local authority or relevant authority. Foreign companies interested in offering such services must be incorporated in Malaysia or enter into a joint venture with a local company. After a thorough evaluation, MOT and JPJ will grant interim approval to qualified parties, allowing up to 24 months for preparation and development.
Those who fail to complete all preparation processes within the allocated period will have their interim approval revoked and will not be granted a license. However, parties that successfully complete all development processes and are confirmed to start operating by JPJ will be granted a license to conduct motor vehicle inspections for a maximum period of 10 years, with the possibility of extension.
All license holders will be required to provide services as stipulated under the license terms and comply with directives issued by MOT or JPJ throughout the validity period of the license. Failure to adhere to these terms may result in penalties, suspension, or revocation of the license. License holders will also be subject to a fee for each license issued.
To provide further information on licensing requirements and related matters, a briefing session is scheduled for April 23. Interested parties can register for the session by accessing the provided link. The Cabinet decision on March 17 stated that motor vehicle periodic inspection services will be open to qualified service providers once the Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre (Puspakom) concession ends on August 31, 2024.
In conclusion, the new licensing guidelines for periodic inspections of motor vehicles aim to enhance the quality and safety of inspections while ensuring compliance with regulations. It is essential for all stakeholders to adhere to the requirements set forth by MOT and JPJ to maintain the integrity of the inspection process and promote road safety.