Kuala ketil: The Road Transport Department Malaysia has introduced new guidelines for the establishment of Driving Institutes (IMs), including allowing training circuits to be built in high-rise buildings, warehouses, and commercial premises.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, JPJ Director-General Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli stated that the guidelines were developed in line with the Motor Vehicles (Driving Schools) Rules 1992 and the Road Transport Act 1987. The aim is to strengthen the regulation of the driving institute industry. Aedy Fadly highlighted that the move to allow IMs in multi-storey buildings is a solution to address land constraints, especially in densely populated and high-value urban areas. 'However, strict requirements must be met, including ensuring high levels of safety for candidates, instructors, and the public, as well as designing training spaces that are conducive and secure to ensure uninterrupted learning,' he mentioned after attending the opening of the Kuala Ketil Warisan Integriti Driving Institute.
Present at the event were Kedah JPJ Director Stien Van Lutam and JPJ Director (Driver Licensing) Mohd Kamal Hisham Abu Bakar. Aedy Fadly also encouraged interested parties to submit applications at any time, including proposals to convert unused land, buildings, or large warehouses into driving institutes.
He further explained that underutilised multi-storey buildings, such as shopping malls, could be considered, provided they comply with safety requirements. For example, if circuits are built on rooftops, the structure must be strong and meet all specified standards. He noted that these facilities will be limited to Class D and B vehicles, namely cars and motorcycles.
Among other updates, the new guidelines remove the minimum distance requirement between driving institutes and the minimum land size for new developments. JPJ will instead assess applications based on the capacity and readiness of existing institutes in the area. Additionally, driving institutes are no longer restricted by geographic zones when accepting candidates, allowing them to enrol learners from any location nationwide.