PUTRAJAYA: A mechanism is being explored to allow Class B2 motorcycle licence holders to be automatically upgraded to the B category, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Revealing that there were increasing calls for the government to consider this, the Deputy Prime Minister, however, said there were issues which needed to be addressed first.
“While we agree in principle that the upgrade can be done, there should be provisions or conditions that need to be drawn up.
“This is important to ensure that road users, including motorcyclists, are responsible on the road,” he told reporters after an engagement session with the Malaysian Motorcycle Association yesterday.
The B2 licence allows holders to ride motorcycles only up to 250cc.
Motorcycles 500cc and above require the rider to hold the higher B license.
Presently, B2 licence holders wanting to obtain a B licence have to undergo a road test.
StarPicks
Seize the opportunity to set up your future
Ahmad Zahid said that among the criteria being studied was that those wanting to upgrade from a B2 to B licence must be aged at least 35, and for the applicant to have held the B2 licence for a certain number of years.
“We will discuss this in the next high-level road safety and congestion committee meeting,” he said, adding that the target was to decide on the issue this year.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke, who was present, said the matter would be reviewed soonest but said it would be done carefully with conditions set.
He said police statistics showed that the highest number of road accidents involved motorcyclists aged between 16 and 35.
“If those who just got their B2 licence are given a B licence, our concern is that they will be indiscriminate while on the road.
“Perhaps, if the conversion is approved to someone more experienced, that rider will be more careful,” he added.
According to police, there were 4,480 fatal road accident cases in 2023 – up 10% compared with 2022.