Loke: Special programme to upgrade B1, B2 motorcycle licences to B
PUTRAJAYA: By October, the government will introduce a special transition programme to upgrade existing B1 and B2 class motorcycle licences to B class, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
The programme will cost a maximum of RM160 and applicants will need to pass a two-hour transition and adaptation course at a driving institute, he said.B1 class licences are for motorcycles not exceeding 500cc and B2 class licences are for bikes not more than 250cc.
The B class driving licences are for motorcycles above 500cc.
“The Road Transport Department (JPJ) is in its final phase of introducing the programme, including implementing system changes and coordination with driving institutions,” said Loke during a press conference at the Transport Ministry’s National Month celebration yesterday.
Need for speed: (From right) Jeffrey Lian with his son Ryan Lian and friend Hoi Siang Yee checking out superbikes at a showroom in Bandar Sunway. An upcoming special transition programme will allow B1 and B2 class licence holders to be upgraded to B class license holders. — GLENN GUAN/The Star
“This special programme does not have an expiry date and will continue until further notice.”
Among the conditions for the upgrade is that applicants must have held B1 or B2 motorcycle driving licences for a continuous period of 10 years.
“This ensures riding competency and experience before transitioning to higher-powered bikes,” Loke said.
Applicants must also be free from blacklists, outstanding fines, transaction restrictions and serious criminal offences.
Loke said applicants must self-declare their mental and physical fitness and attend a two-hour programme at the driving institute, which covers practical riding and safe driving instructions for motorcycles above 500cc.
Applicants, Loke added, would be assessed by a qualified training officer.
He also announced that B1 licences would be merged with B class licences.
“This takes into account the low demand for B1 licences each year as most people prefer to choose Class B,” he said.
From Oct 1 onwards, there will be no programmes to obtain B1 licences at driving institutions.
“By obtaining a Class B motorcycle licence, individuals will be eligible to drive all types of motorcycles and Class B1 licence holders will not be limited to motorcycles with a 499cc engine and below,” Loke said.
“Existing Class B1 licence holders can either remain in their current category or undergo the special programme to obtain a Class B licence.”
Previously, the cost to obtain a Class B motorcycle licence was RM900, involving a two-hour theory class and 9.5 hours of practical training.
On a separate matter, Loke said Malaysia was on track to reach pre-Covid-19 air travel figures despite several international reports saying that aviation recovery could take at least three years.
According to him, passenger traffic in airports across the country stood at 46.6 million in the first half of this year.
“The Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) also projects passenger traffic to hit between 93.9 million and 107.1 million travellers by the end of the year,” he said.
Mavcom had said Malaysia’s total air passenger traffic saw an increase of 15.3% with 46.6 million travellers in the first half of 2024, compared to 40.4 million recorded in the same period last year.
