From P license to C license in Malaysia

Prior to writing this entry, I have realized that there was no official instruction, or at least not one that can be found easily, within the JPJ website about upgrading your PDL (Probation Driving License) or better known as "Lesen P" to CDL (Competent Driving License) alias "Lesen Penuh".

Hopefully this entry will help with that.

What you need

1. For the probation period of the PDL to be over.
2. Your original P license
3. Your Identification Card (I/C)
4. 1 License size photo*
5. RM 30 for each year of CDL (maximum of 5 years at once)

*Be aware that the license size and passport size photo is different. License size photo is much smaller. If you have accidentally brought a passport sized photo however, do not worry as they have a cutter that will crop and cut your photo to license size. But now your new license will have your whole round face on it. I learned this the hard way.

Where you can upgrade

There is a lot of JPJ offices all around the nation but I will only list the ones around the capital.

Setapak

Lot 14264
53300Setapak
Telephone: 03 40241200
Faks: 03-40236599

Maju Junction

Level 2 Maju Junction Mall
50250Wilayah Persekutuan
Telephone: 03-26989572
Faks: 03 26989470

Cheras

No 1, Jalan Permaisuri 8,
5600Cheras
Telephone: 0391727461
Faks: 0391727343

You can look for other JPJ offices around the nation here.

How to upgrade and how long it would take

Depending on the day and branch that you went, the number of people varies.
I suggest that you go on a weekday and avoid weekends and public holidays if possible.
I went and did mine on a weekday and the whole process took about 15 minutes.

1. Get a number, wait for your number to be called.
2. Go to counter, meet and greet nicely.
3. If counter attendant is awek cun, turn on your suave. Bonus points if you manage to get phone number. If you are a lady, skip to step 4.
4. Tell the counter attendant that you want to upgrade your PDL to CDL.
5. Present your PDL to the counter attendant. I/C as well if required.
6. Pay respective amount according to the requested CDL validity period.
7. Your new CDL will be issued on the spot.
8. Congratulations! You are now a CDL certified road user!
9. Cry alone in a corner because you don't have your own car.

The whole process is really easy and could be done in a single afternoon. The problem is only that it does not have clear instructions. Hope my experience may help many.