Malaysia’s road‑safety ecosystem may be on the brink of a radical shift. The Road Transport Department (JPJ) is moving to allow driver training circuits inside buildings, multi‑storey complexes, warehouses and even shopping mall rooftops. The change overturns decades of outdoor‑only practice and threatens to reshape how new drivers learn and are licensed. But with limited public debate and little data on training safety and outcomes, questions swirl about whether this is a smart innovation or a costly gamble. (The Star)
This investigative feature traces how this policy emerged, why JPJ is pushing it, what experts and activists are saying, and what the stakes are for Malaysia’s notoriously dangerous roads.
JPJ’s New Urban Driving Horizon
In late‑March 2026, JPJ announced a guideline update that explicitly permits driving training circuits in rooftop, warehouse or multi‑storey building spaces. The department says this is in line with the Motor Vehicles (Driving Schools) Rules 1992 and the Road Transport Act 1987. The intention is to tackle land constraints in congested urban areas where traditional outdoor tracks are hard to secure. (The Star)
Director‑General Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli told reporters that vertical and indoor spaces can be repurposed to run driving schools, complete with practice circuits for cars and motorcycles. Under the new policy, unused commercial sites like former malls could host learner facilities, provided they meet strict safety and design standards. (The Star)
JPJ also removed minimum land‑area requirements and distance limits between institutes, enabling clustered growth of training centers in urban hubs. The department believes that welcoming such innovation could reduce pressure on existing facilities and widen access to driver education. (The Star)
Why JPJ is Pushing the Change
Urban Land Costs and Infrastructure Gaps
Malaysia’s rapid urban expansion has made land expensive and scarce, particularly in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor Bahru. Outdoor training grounds require wide tracts of land and regular maintenance, making them financially impractical for many new operators.
JPJ officials argue that indoor or rooftop circuits could be a cost‑effective alternative, especially in areas where land prices outstrip the budgets of traditional driving schools. (The Star)
Expanding Training Access
Another driver behind the policy is accessibility. Under old rules, rural learners often had limited options and long travel distances to reach driving institutes. Indoor tracks in urban infill spaces promise shorter commutes for city dwellers and could encourage more learners to complete formal training.
What Research Says About Driver Training and Safety
Training Quality Matters
Studies show that structured driver education can improve performance and reduce risk behaviors compared to informal learning. Pre‑and post‑license education correlates with better situational awareness and defensive driving skills. (Semantic Scholar)
However, most research focuses on curriculum and simulator quality, not on facility types like indoor vs. outdoor tracks. A critical review of driving simulator research in Malaysia highlights that many simulation systems have ergonomic and effectiveness issues that could compromise training outcomes when poorly implemented. (Knowledge Words Publications)
Simulator vs. Physical Training
Outside of Malaysia, driver simulators are widely used in education to prepare learners for real‑world conditions. These systems allow learners to practice dangerous scenarios safely but are usually paired with physical driving practice to translate skills onto actual roads.
This raises a key question: offering an indoor track might be better than no facility, but does it substitute for real road conditions? Experts warn that without standardized quality controls, indoor circuits may risk creating false senses of readiness in new drivers.
Opposition and Concerns
Road Safety Advocates
Critics point out that despite nearly 7,000 road fatalities and tens of thousands of serious injuries annually in Malaysia, education and enforcement remain inconsistent. Poor infrastructure quality and risky driver behavior are cited repeatedly as major safety gaps. (Scribd)
Observers worry that simply shifting locations of training tracks without enhancing curriculum quality or assessment standards will do little to reduce accident rates.
Driving Schools and Industry Voices
Some industry players caution that cost savings could come at the expense of training quality. The Malaysian Driving Institute Association has previously warned that cheaper or poorly maintained facilities drag down overall safety standards and lead to bad habits forming during instruction. (Free Malaysia Today)
Public Skepticism
Online forums and social commentary reflect broader frustration with Malaysia’s driver‑learning system. Many learners report long waits, sub‑standard instruction, and vehicles poorly maintained for lessons and tests. Critics argue that structural reforms not just facility relocation are needed. (Reddit)
Urban Innovation or Policy Shortcut?
JPJ insists that performance criteria and safety standards will govern indoor site approvals. The policy allows proposals to come forward but requires compliance checks before operation. (The Star)
Yet details about how training outcomes will be measured, or how indoor tracks replicate real‑world driving conditions like traffic flow, traffic signals or weather, remain sparse. Without transparent benchmarks, the initiative risks being seen as a bureaucratic workaround rather than a genuine step toward safer roads.
Comparisons and Global Perspectives
Globally, some countries use indoor facilities and simulators as supplemental tools in driver education. But they typically accompany robust outdoor practice and are part of broader road‑safety programs that integrate licensing reform, enforcement, and public awareness campaigns.
Malaysia’s current policy seems innovative on paper but lacks the comprehensive framework seen in other jurisdictions where training innovations are paired with safety metrics and long‑term evaluations.
Broader Impacts and Road Safety Goals
Potential Benefits
- Access expansion in dense urban centers where land is expensive
- More competition among driving institutes could reduce prices
- Potential for year‑round training unaffected by weather
Potential Risks
- Training that does not mirror real road complexity
- Inconsistent safety outcomes without national quality standards
- Learners may graduate without essential hazard experience
The ultimate measure will be whether this program correlates with reduced accident rates, fewer traffic offences and better driver competence in the long term.
What Do You Think? I’d Love to Hear Your Opinion in the Comments Section.
JPJ’s move to allow driving training circuits inside buildings or on rooftops reflects a bold shift in addressing urban land challenges. But without clear evidence that indoor settings can match or outperform traditional outdoor training, the policy may be more controversial than constructive. The success of this initiative will hinge on quality regulation, transparent assessment standards, and integration with holistic road safety strategies.
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