Real pain of applying for the Malaysia VEP (Finale)
Finally, after three months of pain, I have managed to get my VEP and activated it.
If you have happen to land on this page but have not started the VEP application at all, I would like to invite you to go to this page first.
On the other hand, if you have submitted the VEP application but yet to be verified by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and TCSens, which is the appointed vendor issuing the VEP tags, please go to this page first.
I will share with you how I completed the final stage of the application. This blog will be most relevant to drivers who opted to have the VEP tags shipped to them.
From my previous blog post, I shared that the only thing I could do was to wait for TCSens to shipped my VEP tag to me. That was about a month ago from the date of this blog post. Considering the large volume of applications that they have received since the mandatory VEP announcement back in May 2024, I would not be surprised it would take a long time for them to process my tag.
From the payment successful email, it explained the tag will be shipped out in the following 10 days. However, this is not accurate at least during this peak period.
You will receive a payment notification email after making payment.
In my case, the whole process took close to five weeks. First, it took about three weeks for them to get the tag processed, whereby a tag serial number would be generated. You can check this by logging into the JPJ VEP registration website. Under the manage vehicle list, you will notice the Tag button is clickable.
The Tag button will become clickable when they have processed a tag for the vehicle.
Once you click on it, another window will pop up and it will indicate your tag serial number and its expiry date, which has a five year lifespan regardless of your vehicle’s COE expiration date.
A tag number will be displayed once they have processed a tag for you.
Therefore, in my case, my 2nd hand vehicle, which has three years left in the COE would outlast my VEP. By then, I will need to register for a new VEP for the next car (if I still choose to drive).
Second, TCSens uses City-Link Express to deliver the VEP tags. You will receive an email from TCSens to inform you the tag has been shipped and a consignment number will also be indicated.
Use the consignment number to track the tag delivery.
From here, you can use City-Link Express tracking page to track your tag shipping. It would take another week and a half for them to pick up the tag from TCSens. Thereafter, it would take another week or two to have the tag delivered to your door. In my case, it would take another nine days for the tag to be delivered to me.
This tracking page shows you the duration it took for the courier to pick up and deliver the tag to me.
25-Oct update: According to an article from The Straits Times, you can now request to Citi-Link Express to collect your tag at their office in Singapore. You will still need to track the tag progress from the Citi-Link Express tracking page. After it has arrived at the Singapore’s office, you can email to customerservice@citylinkexpress.com.sg with your full name and address, including the tracking number, to make an appointment. Once they have received and acknowledged your request, you can go down to the office at 1004 Toa Payoh North#02-08/09/10, Singapore 318995.
Do take care not to bend the package, as the RFID tag is fragile. Unlike drivers who have chosen to collect the tag at Danga Bay or the other two centres meant for those who have made an appointment, the tag comes in the form of a transparent sticker with a RFID across it.
Third, you have to go back to TCSens webpage to acknowledge you have receive the tag. Under vehicle list page, click on the acknowledgement button on the right.
Click on the Acknowledgement button on the right to begin the tag fitment verification process.
Depending on your screen, you may have to scroll to the extreme right to see the button. Proceed to enter the serial number found above the barcode on the VEP tag card and click the validate button. You should see a green bar indicating you have entered the correct tag serial number. Thereafter, click on the continue button to proceed to the next step.
The serial number is found above the barcode.
Enter the tag serial number found on top of the barcode of the VEP card and click validate.
Click continue after validation is successful.
Fourth, the following step will have a clip about VEP and the tag fitment procedures. To save you the trouble from watching the entire clip, I will share a three step process to affix the VEP tag and get it approved and activated as soon as possible.
Step one, this transparent tag type has to be affixed onto the left side or the passenger side headlamp.
This is how the transparent RFID tag looks like.
While there are anecdotes of drivers using other methods to fit the tag on other than the headlamp, I will only share the recommended way in my blog. Before affixing the tag, use a wet tissue or damp cloth to wipe clean the surface of the headlamp. Wait for around two to three minutes for it to dry.
Step two, always make sure to affix the tag on the flat surface of the headlamp, while keeping it a distance of at least 5 cm away from any metal surface around the lamp. Thereafter, carefully peel off the RFID from the clear plastic and affixed it onto the lamp. Apply a bit of pressure on the surface of the RFID to make sure it is properly affixed onto the lamp.
This is where I have affixed the RFID tag onto my vehicle left/passenger headlamp. Make sure it is on the flat surface of the lamp and 5 cm away from any metal surface of the car and lamp.
Step three, take a photo that must show both the left headlamp and your car plate number.
Ensure the car plate number and the left/passenger side headlamp are visible in the photo. Do not redact the car plate number like what I have done here. Doing so will not get your fitment verification approved.
Once done, upload the photo under step three of the VEP tag acknowledgement page and click submit. While you would think the RFID may not be visible from the photo cause it is transparent and small, I guess TCSens staff will zoom in on the photo to make sure it has been affixed properly.
This would be the last step in the VEP fitment verification. Click submit after uploading.
You are finally done! Now, you just have to wait for TCSens staff to validate the fitment. At this stage, the status in the vehicle list would show Tag issued but not activated. From what I have read, it would take up to 24 hours for it to be activated. In my case, it took only about an hour or so. The status will change to Tag issued and activated. You will also receive an email from TCSens to inform you that it has been activated.
You will receive tag activation success email if the photo taken and RFID fitment were done correctly.
You can also find the notification in your Touch’N’Go app, under your Inbox > Activities.
The same notification can also be found in your Touch’N’Go app under Inbox > Activities.
From now, you do not need to use a physical Touch’N’Go card to pay for the road charge of RM20 at the Malaysian customs. Similar to our ERP, you can also use the RFID lane at the toll booth along the expressways in Malaysia. Most importantly, we now have to make sure we always got enough Ringgits in our Touch’N’Go e-wallet, as the monies will be deducted from there. However, I would recommend to keep a physical card with you in case there are unforeseen issues with the RFID.
Phew… it felt like a marathon to get the VEP approved and affixing it onto the car. I hope you found my blog posts regarding the VEP application process informative and useful. Hopefully, your VEP journey will not be as painful as mine and it would be sorted out soon.