Kuala Lumpur: The Transport Ministry has gazetted the latest amendments to the Motor Vehicle (Construction and Use) Rules under the Transport Act 1987 to ensure national legislation remains aligned with technological advancements and supports innovation in the country’s automotive sector.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Minister of Transport, Datuk Hasbi Habibollah, stated that the amendments were made in 2024 to incorporate technical regulations related to the construction and use of Autonomous Vehicles (AVs), Electric Vehicles (EVs), and Energy-Efficient Vehicles (EEVs).

“For the adoption of smart vehicle technology, including AVs, the ministry, in collaboration with automotive industry players, has conducted a series of AV tests based on the Guidelines for Testing Autonomous Driving Vehicles on Roads developed by the Ministry of Transport and Futurise,” he mentioned during the question and answer session at the Dewan Negara today.

He was responding to a question by Senator Datuk Dr Ahmad Azam Hamzah regarding the ministry’s plans to explore technologies such as self-driving cars and driverless train systems, as well as the preparations made for their adoption.

Hasbi explained that the guidelines were designed to ensure that AV testing in Malaysia is conducted safely and in compliance with existing legislation, while also emphasising clear reporting and control measures.

“They also outline the technical requirements that must be met, including vehicle component specifications, AV safety systems, and prescribed testing procedures,” he added.