KUALA LUMPUR: The Transport Ministry has no plans to tighten the requirements for driving licence renewal, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Minister Anthony Loke said there were no supplementary requirements for licence renewal, in response to Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari (PH-Sungai Petani) on whether the ministry was considering stricter requirements for licence holders with disabilities to ensure they did not endanger other road users.
He said such requirements might spark complaints from individuals.
"If we want to impose additional requirements, people will object, especially to having to submit medical reports every year for licence renewal and so on.
"The medical report only applies to special vehicle licence holders. For Class B (full) licence holders, it is not required.
"But I think it is important for these drivers to be more responsible," he said, adding that persons with disabilities needed to provide medical reports to the Road Transport Department (RTD).
Datuk Azman Nasrudin (PN-Padang Serai) asked whether the ministry intended to add requirements for Class B (full) licence to ensure riders were capable of handling high-powered motorcycles.
Loke said RTD and the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety were continuously reviewing the requirements for licence applications for all types of licence classes, including Class B.
"This is to ensure that licence holders possess the competence and skills to handle motor vehicles within the licence classes for the safety of all road users.
"Based on the latest review, the requirements for licence application for Class B (full) are deemed adequate," he said.