Allowing someone to rent or borrow your motorcycle might seem like an easy way to earn extra income, but owners who let unlicensed riders onto public roads risk prosecution, vehicle seizure and potentially serious insurance complications. This issue came into focus following enforcement operations by JPJ, which uncovered motorcycles registered to Malaysians but ridden by foreign nationals without valid driving licences.
In early October, Penang JPJ seized 74 motorcycles ridden by foreign nationals without valid licences during Ops PeWA. Some riders were reportedly renting motorcycles from local owners for around RM200 a month.
The question for motorcycle owners is straightforward – if you hand over your keys to someone who has no valid licence, how much trouble could you get into? Under Section 26(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, it is an offence to ride a motor vehicle on a road without a valid licence for the relevant class. It is also an offence to employ or permit an unlicensed person to ride it.
