THE government is planning to review laws governing autonomous vehicles in other countries when amending the Road Transport Act to permit autonomous buses to operate.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the need for amendments to the Act is important as the country lacks specific laws for self-driving vehicles.

“Malaysia could look at the laws on autonomous vehicles in other countries as an example”, he told reporters after watching a demonstration of an autonomous bus today.

Loke said there is currently no timeframe for amendments. However, a proof of concept (POC) is underway for the autonomous bus while a committee is investigating autonomous vehicles.

“Those who are carrying out the POC can give their views on what amendments are needed,” he said.

Loke noted that the UK introduced the Automated Vehicles Act in May, which could see self-driving vehicles on the roads by 2026. Meanwhile, trials for autonomous public transport are currently underway in Shanghai, China; and Hamburg, Germany.

“Now, we’re seeing the same technology being developed in Malaysia by a Malaysian company.

“Each autonomous vehicle’s system is customised to the road and traffic conditions, passenger demands and local conditions,” he said.

At the same event, Loke announced that the JPJeBid system is accepting bids for the special registration number (NPI) of zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) with the “EV” index.

Loke stated that registration number results will be announced within 24 hours after the bidding process ends on Sept 13. The “EV” number plate series is exclusively for ZEVs.

“ZEV owners who are not interested can still use any regular state series numbers for their vehicles.

“As previously implemented, part of the revenue from the NPI will be channelled towards public initiatives such as the free helmet exchange programme and B2 licence training for the bottom 40% income group (B40),” he said. — TMR