How to Become a Grab Driver in Malaysia (2026): Complete Guide
So you want to drive for Grab. Good news: it's a real source of income for hundreds of thousands of Malaysians. Bad news: there are more steps than most people expect — and skipping any of them means JPJ or Grab will bounce your application.
This guide covers everything: PSV licence (Lesen PSV), Puspakom B2 inspection, e-hailing insurance endorsement, vehicle requirements, step-by-step registration, and realistic earnings.
This guide is part of Sorted — a free collection of step-by-step guides for Malaysian bureaucracy and life admin.
The Short Version
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 21 years |
| Driving licence | Full Class D (not P), held 2+ years |
| PSV licence fee | ~RM200–RM350 |
| Vehicle age | Max 10 years |
| Processing time | 2–6 weeks total |
Why You Need a PSV Licence (And Cannot Skip This)
In Malaysia, e-hailing is regulated by the Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ). To legally carry paying passengers, you must hold a Lesen PSV (Lesen Kenderaan Pengangkutan Awam). Grab will not activate your driver account without one.
Driving without a PSV licence is an offence under the Land Public Transport Act 2010. Fines: RM1,000–RM5,000.
Driver Eligibility Requirements
Personal requirements:
- Malaysian citizen (MyKad required). Permanent Residents (MyPR) may apply — check with JPJ.
- Minimum 21 years old, maximum 65
- Valid full Class D driving licence (not P or L), held for at least 2 years
- No serious traffic offences, no criminal record (Grab performs a PDRM background check)
- Medical fitness certificate from a JPJ panel clinic
P-licence holders cannot apply. You must have passed your full driving test and held the full licence for at least 2 years.
Vehicle Requirements
Your vehicle must meet both Grab's and JPJ's standards:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Vehicle age | Max 10 years from manufacture date |
| Seating capacity | 4–7 passenger seats (motorcycles are NOT eligible for GrabCar) |
| Registration | Under your name, or consent letter from registered owner |
| Roadworthiness | Valid Puspakom B2 inspection certificate |
| Insurance | Must have e-hailing insurance endorsement (standard private car insurance does NOT cover commercial use) |
| E-hailing permit | Vehicle registered as e-hailing vehicle under JPJ |
GrabCar service tiers:
| Service | Vehicle Type | Age Limit |
|---|---|---|
| GrabCar | Standard sedan / MPV / hatchback | Max 10 years |
| GrabCar Plus | Mid-range sedans (Camry, X70) | Max 7 years |
| GrabCar Premium | Luxury vehicles (BMW, Mercedes) | Max 5 years |
| GrabFamily | MPV (Exora, Velfire, Serena) | Max 10 years |
Common eligible vehicles for standard GrabCar: Perodua Myvi, Proton Saga, Proton Persona, Toyota Vios, Honda City, Perodua Axia, Proton X50.
Step 1: Get Your PSV Licence (Lesen PSV)
1a. Medical Examination (Peperiksaan Perubatan)
Visit a JPJ panel clinic (not just any clinic — confirm they are JPJ-registered before going). The exam covers eyesight, blood pressure, and general fitness.
- Cost: RM30–RM80
- Validity: 3 months — complete the rest of the process within this window
1b. PSV Course (Kursus PSV)
A 1-day course at a JPJ-approved driving institute. Covers passenger safety, e-hailing regulations, and defensive driving.
- Cost: RM100–RM200
- Book via your nearest JPJ-registered driving school
1c. Apply at JPJ
Submit at a JPJ branch or via the MyJPJ app/portal. Required documents:
- MyKad (original + photocopy)
- Full Class D driving licence (original + photocopy)
- JPJ medical certificate (original)
- PSV course completion certificate
- JPJ PSV application form (available at JPJ counters)
- 2 passport-size photos
- Payment: ~RM200–RM350 (3-year licence)
Processing: same day to 2 weeks depending on branch.
Step 2: Puspakom B2 Inspection
Book a B2 inspection at your nearest Puspakom centre (puspakom.com.my). This is the commercial vehicle inspection — different from the standard Puspakom inspection for selling used cars.
- Cost: ~RM65–RM100
- Failure reasons: worn brakes, balding tyres, non-functioning lights, structural issues
Step 3: E-Hailing Insurance Endorsement
Contact your motor insurer (AIA, AXA, Allianz, Etiqa, Takaful, etc.) and request an e-hailing extension to your policy. Your standard private car insurance does NOT cover you while carrying paying passengers.
- Cost: Additional RM200–RM500/year depending on vehicle and insurer
Step 4: Register Vehicle for E-Hailing with JPJ
Via the MyJPJ app or at a JPJ branch. Required: MyKad, vehicle grant (geran), road tax, Puspakom B2 certificate, and insurance with e-hailing endorsement.
Step 5: Register on the Grab Driver App
- Download the Grab Driver app (not the passenger app)
- Create a driver account with your phone number
- Upload all documents: PSV licence, MyKad, driving licence, vehicle grant, insurance, Puspakom certificate, profile photo
- Add your bank account details for weekly payouts
- Wait 3–7 business days for Grab verification
Some cities require an in-person onboarding session at a Grab Driver Centre before full activation — check the app.
Realistic Earnings
| Scenario | Monthly Estimate |
|---|---|
| Part-time (20 hrs/week) | RM800–1,500 |
| Full-time (40–50 hrs/week, gross) | RM2,500–4,000 |
| Grab commission deducted | ~20–25% |
Typical fares (Klang Valley):
| Trip | Fare | Your Cut (~75–80%) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 km (short) | RM7–12 | RM5–10 |
| 10 km (medium) | RM15–25 | RM12–20 |
| 25 km (KLIA–KL) | RM45–70 | RM35–55 |
Monthly Expenses (Full-Time Driver)
| Expense | Monthly |
|---|---|
| Fuel | RM500–900 |
| Vehicle maintenance | RM200–400 |
| E-hailing insurance | RM20–40 |
| Road tax | RM15–25 |
| Parking | RM50–150 |
| Phone plan / data | RM50–80 |
| Total | RM835–1,595 |
Net earnings estimate (full-time): RM2,500–4,000 gross minus RM835–1,595 expenses = RM905–3,165/month net. Wide range because driving efficiency and vehicle fuel economy matter enormously.
Pro Tips
Maximise earnings:
- Work peak hours: 7–9am, 12–2pm, 5–8pm. Surge pricing applies.
- Chase weekly Grab incentives — new targets reset every Sunday.
- Position near KLIA, KLIA2, Mid Valley, Pavilion for longer high-value trips.
- Accept GrabFood during slow periods to fill gaps.
Protect your rating:
- Keep your car clean. Dirty car = low rating, every time.
- Never cancel after accepting a trip.
- Offer a phone charger — passengers notice.
Tax:
- Grab income is taxable in Malaysia. Declare under B4 (Business Income) in your BE form.
- You can deduct fuel, maintenance, insurance, and phone costs.
- Keep receipts.
Common FAQ
Do I need a PSV licence for GrabFood (motorcycle delivery)?
No. Motorcycle deliveries use a different permit. PSV licences are for passenger transport only.
Can I drive for both Grab and InDrive?
Yes. Your PSV licence covers all e-hailing platforms. Many drivers use multiple apps to reduce idle time.
How long does the whole process take?
Realistically 2–6 weeks. Medical (1 day) → PSV course (1 day) → JPJ processing (1–14 days) → Puspakom (3–7 days wait) → insurance endorsement (1–3 days) → Grab verification (3–7 days). Run steps in parallel where possible.
What if my Grab application is rejected?
Common reasons: blurry documents, PSV licence not yet visible in the JPJ system (wait 1–2 weeks after collecting), vehicle failing Puspakom, background check flag. Fix the specific issue and resubmit.
This guide is part of Sorted — step-by-step guides for Malaysian life admin. Free, no login required.
Requirements and fees may change. Verify with JPJ (jpj.gov.my), Puspakom (puspakom.com.my), and Grab (grab.com/my/driver) before proceeding.
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