Thailand Sadao Checkpoint
Thai-registered vehicles entering Malaysia via the Sadao checkpoint will have to pay VEP soon

Kedah is set to join Johor in imposing a vehicle entry permit (VEP) for foreign vehicles, Bernama reports. Kedah is targeting Thai-registered vehicles coming into Malaysia with this move, while the southern state will be collecting entry fees from Singaporean cars.

"Foreign motorists who violate traffic rules in Malaysia can then be easily identified and penalised," State Education, Transportation and Works Committee chairman Datuk Tajul Urus Mat Zain told reporters at a Jelajah Sahur programme organised by the JPJ at Bukit Selambau yesterday.

"Currently, drivers of foreign-registered vehicles avoid getting penalised for traffic offences once they return to their country. With the VEP in force, all data on the vehicles involved in traffic offences can be retrieved and the motorists can be fined before leaving the country," he reasoned.

Tajul Urus said that the VEP fee will contribute to Kedah's coffers, adding that there would be discussions with relevant agencies, including the police and JPJ, before coming to a final decision.

Last week, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced that the Federal Government had decided to implement a VEP fee for foreign-registered vehicles entering Malaysia via Johor. "We will decide on the rates to be imposed. Part of the fee collection will be shared with the Johor government," he was quoted as saying.

Earlier this month, Singapore announced an increased VEP fee of S$35 (RM90) from the current S$20 (RM51.50) on foreign vehicles entering the island republic, effective August 1 – more details here.