KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 — The Transport Ministry has gazetted changes to the Motor Vehicle (Construction and Use) Rules under the Transport Act 1987 to ensure national legislation remains aligned with technological advancements and supports innovation in the country’s automotive sector.
Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah said the amendments were made in 2024 to incorporate technical regulations related to the construction and use of autonomous vehicles (AVs), electric vehicles, and energy-efficient vehicles.
“For the adoption of smart vehicle technology, including AVs, the ministry, in collaboration with automotive industry players, has conducted a series of AV tests based on the Guidelines for Testing Autonomous Driving Vehicles on Roads developed by the Transport Ministry and Futurise.
“Through these tests, technical findings, test results, and stakeholder feedback will be thoroughly analysed to ensure that regulatory developments for this technology are comprehensive and aligned with industry needs,” he said during the question-and-answer session at the Dewan Negara today.
He was responding to a question by Senator Datuk Ahmad Azam Hamzah regarding the ministry’s plans to explore technologies such as self-driving cars and driverless train systems, as well as the preparations made for their adoption.
Hasbi said the guidelines were designed to ensure AV testing in Malaysia is conducted safely and in compliance with existing legislation while emphasising clear reporting and control measures.
“They also outline the technical requirements that must be met, including vehicle component specifications, AV safety systems, and prescribed testing procedures,” he said.
— Bernama
