What Is The New JPJePlate & Everything Malaysian Drivers Should Know About It
It's only for electric and hydrogen-powered cars, for now.
By Gene Aaron Immanuel — 06 May 2025, 05:13 PM
If you've been on the road lately, you might have noticed certain cars with crisp white number plates that look different from the usual ones with black backgrounds that we're used to
These aren't custom plates, but part of a new national system called JPJePlate, rolled out by the Road Transport Department (JPJ.
For now, these plates will only be for newly registered battery electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles as part of Malaysia's move toward modernising vehicle identification.
Essentially, JPJePlate is a standardised number plate system designed for better security, readability, and digital integration.
For now, JPJePlate is implemented only for newly registered battery electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles, with no confirmed timeline yet for adoption across all vehicle types
The JPJePlate standard adopts a white background, black text in FE-Schrift font, a green colour code on the left side to indicate electric fuel type, and the Malaysian flag (Jalur Gemilang) for improved legibility and tamper resistance.
As of 9 September 2024, the JPJePlate is mandatory for all newly registered battery electric and hydrogen-powered passenger cars in Malaysia.
At the time of writing, only eligible battery electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles are allowed to use JPJePlates as unauthorised use on petrol or diesel vehicles is prohibited.
Aside from just looking different, there are also some new physical features that come with the JPJePlate:
- Embedded RFID chip: Enables digital identification and integration with Malaysia's future transport infrastructure, including toll systems and enforcement tech.
- Embossed alphanumeric characters: Raised letters and numbers enhance durability and help prevent tampering.
- Anti-theft one-way screws: Special screws make it harder for someone to remove the plate without the correct tools.
- Anti-forgery QR code: Each plate has a scannable code that links to JPJ records, making it easier to verify if a plate is legitimate.
- Highly reflective plate surface: Improves visibility at night or in low-light conditions, helping with road safety and enforcement.
- Holographic security stripe: Adds an extra layer of visual authentication to prevent duplication.
- EV markers: The new 'EV' prefix registration series is part of the updated vehicle registration system for electric vehicles.
With these new features on board, here's how the JPJePlate aims to improve upon traditional number plates:
1. The design is clearer, more consistent, and easier to read
JPJePlate enforces a single design format using reflective white backgrounds and a standard anti-fraud typeface.
This ensures visibility and legibility for both human and automated checks.
2. It has security features that make it harder to clone or tamper with
Each plate includes a laser-etched QR code, microchip with RFID, and embedded holograms.
These inclusions reduce the risk of plate cloning or unauthorised modifications.
3. It's fully compatible with automated traffic systems
Standardised fonts and dimensions make plates more reliable for automated number plate recognition (ANPR) systems, which are used in tolls, parking, speed traps, and traffic light systems.
4. It supports faster and more accurate law enforcement
The new format will let JPJ officers scan the plate's chip to access registration, ownership, and road tax data instantly, which will in turn lead to streamlined inspections and reduced reliance on physical documents.
5. It eliminates non-compliant custom plates
Right now, only JPJ-authorised vendors can issue JPJePlate numbers, and all plates must follow the official format, which you can learn about here.
This removes uncertainty around stylised plates and simplifies enforcement by ensuring all JPJePlates follow a strict, standardised format issued only by JPJ-authorised vendors.
Here's how you can get the JPJePlate for your vehicle (only if it's elligible)
Applications for the JPJePlate are currently open to owners of newly-registered electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles:
STEP 1: Contact an authorised JPJePlate installer (such as an EV dealership or authorised workshop).
STEP 2: The installer will handle the online application and ordering process on your behalf using your MyKad or JPJ registration details.
STEP 3: Select an approved plate vendor from the list.
STEP 4: Enter your vehicle registration details.
STEP 5: Make payment and schedule your plate installation.
Keep in mind that if your eligible vehicle is registered after 9 September 2024, it will automatically be fitted with JPJePlates.
