Malaysia signs deal with Maldives to recognise each other's driving licences

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia and the Republic of Maldives will have a mutual recognition of domestic driving licences effective next month.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (pic) said mutual recognition of domestic drivers licenses between both countries would commence on Sept 12.

In a post on his official Facebook page on Aug 12, Dr Wee said this was the first bilateral Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) that Malaysia has with a foreign country.

"Through this MRA, citizens of both countries can continue to use their respective domestic Driver's Licenses and drive motor vehicles permitted in their respective regions without having to go through the process of obtaining a local driver's license or making any changes to their existing driver's license.

"This MRA will facilitate all citizens of both countries who can then ultimately contribute to the development of the social and economic sectors of both Malaysia and the Republic of Maldives," he said.

He then thanked his counterpart from the Republic of Maldives, Aishath Nahula, (Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation) for co-signing the MRA with the Malaysian Transport Ministry.

"I am pleased to welcome Aishath and her delegation together with Maldives Minister of State for Transport and Civil Aviation Ahmed Zuhair, Deputy High Commissioner of Maldives to Malaysia Mariyam Mizna Shareef.

"Following the signing, we hosted a reception for them in a restaurant in Putrajaya," he said.

Dr Wee added that he looked forward to having more collaborative arrangements in transport with the Maldives.