Seat Belts Mandatory for Express and Tour Buses in Malaysia from July 1, 2025
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Effective July 1, 2025, Malaysia’s Road Transport Department (JPJ) has implemented a regulation requiring all drivers and passengers aboard express and tour buses registered on or after January 1, 2020 to wear seat belts at all times during journeys. If either party fails to comply, they face a fine of RM 300 (approximately US $70–90).
Under the new rule, bus drivers must actively remind passengers to buckle up before departure. Enforcement measures include reviewing onboard CCTV footage to confirm whether reminders were issued. If a driver fails to inform passengers, both the driver and the operating company can be penalized. If reminders are given but ignored by passengers, fines are levied solely on the passengers.
The law was prompted by a tragic bus crash on June 9, 2025, near Gerik in Perak, which claimed the lives of 15 students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris. The bus involved, built before 2020, lacked seat belts, amplifying public demand for stricter road safety rules.
Older buses (manufactured before 2020) are allowed a transitional grace period during which operators must retrofit seat belts on all passenger seats. JPJ has provided industry guidelines and is collaborating with bus companies to facilitate compliance.
Since enforcement began, nearly 1,200 fines have been issued, the majority to passengers (~1,108), followed by 62 to drivers, and a smaller number to operators for inadequate installations. This has significantly increased compliance and awareness among travellers, including foreign tourists who are not exempt from the rules.
In summary, the new regulation marks a decisive step by Malaysia to improve long-distance travel safety. By combining strict enforcement, CCTV monitoring, and clear accountability, authorities aim to reduce fatalities and establish a culture of responsibility on express and tour buses nationwide.
