Amendments to Road Transport Act aimed at closing loopholes and creating better safety, stronger deterrent
PETALING JAYA: The Road Transport (Amendment) Act 2026 came into force yesterday, introducing strict new laws to stamp out illegal street racing and “tonto” lookout syndicates.
In a statement, the Transport Ministry confirmed that the new law is an update of the Road Transport Act 1987.
It contains 42 new amendment clauses designed to improve road safety, give law enforcement more power and speed up the digital shift for the Road Transport Department (RTD).
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A major change is the introduction of Section 42A, which makes speed testing or racing on public roads a specific crime.
The ministry stated that the new law allows authorities to arrest offenders immediately without having to wait for a traffic incident, injury or death to happen.
“The penalties for street racing are severe. For first offence, a fine between of RM2,000 and RM10,000, up to two years in prison, or both.
“For repeat offences, a fine of between RM5,000 and RM20,000, up to five years in prison, or both.”
To protect enforcement officers, the Act introduces Section 110B to target “tonto” syndicates, criminal lookouts who spy on officers, tail enforcement vehicles and tip off lawbreakers about active operations.
Under the new law, such acts are now considered offences that warrant arrest. Those found guilty face a fine of between RM10,000 and RM50,000, a prison sentence of between one and five years, or both.
The updates also introduce several other major changes to modernise Malaysian road laws.
“This includes ‘Vehicle Owner Liability’. Registered owners are now held strictly accountable for traffic offences caught on automated enforcement cameras.
“This closes old loopholes that allowed people to avoid fines by claiming they were not driving their vehicle at the time.
The new Act also strengthens legal rules for using digital driving licences, electronic documents and online notices, while facilitating electronic accident reporting.
Under “New Vehicle Safety”, laws have been tightened to regulate the safety of electric vehicles, modified cars, vehicle parts and micromobility devices such as e-scooters.
The ministry also announced that the maximum limit for compound traffic fines will increase from RM300 to RM500, but the change will not take effect until Jan 1, 2029 to give the public enough time to adjust.
It clarified that traffic fines will not automatically jump to RM500. The actual penalty will still depend on the specific traffic rule violation.
The ministry stressed that the higher limit is meant to act as a stronger deterrent to improve road safety, rather than to make money for the government or burden road users.