It is official! Malaysians can finally say “we’re hitting the road” and actually mean it, RV-style!

Starting 1st January 2026, Recreational Vehicles (RVs) will officially be licensed for commercial use across Malaysia. After decades of watching travel vloggers and movie scenes cruise through Europe in their home-on-wheels, it is now our turn to explore local gems, imagine from Kuala Lumpur to Pengkalan Chepa with our own mobile living rooms.

According to Transport Minister Anthony Loke, the Ministry of Transport (MOT) has given the green light for RVs to be used as Self-Drive Tourist Hire Vehicles. Whether you are road-tripping across Peninsular Malaysia or venturing through Sabah and Sarawak, you will soon be able to rent an RV lawfully and operate RVs for travel across the country.

And yes, this development is not just about promoting travel freedom, it also establishes a clear regulatory pathway for businesses. The Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) will implement a single-window system for RV licences applications to make it easier for operators to register and commercialise their RVs through a streamlined process. This decision by the government is not only giving more options to the road users, but also ensuring safety and protecting renter’s interests through the enforcement of prescribed licensing and permit requirements.

Why does this matter? Because Malaysians have always loved road trips whether it is a quick escape to Genting, a food hunt in Penang, or a beach retreat in Desaru. But now, instead of squeezing into sedans and fighting over the spaces to sleep, we can actually stretch out, cook instant noodles onboard, and fall asleep by the beach.

The move also signals a tourism boost, especially for smaller towns and rural destinations that often get skipped on the flight path. With RV tourism, the journey becomes the destination and that is a game changer for local businesses and communities.

As Malaysia embraces this new chapter in mobility, the open road is no longer just a metaphor, it is an opportunity. The move to license RVs for commercial use signals not only a shift in how Malaysians travel, but also how tourism and business can innovate within a regulated framework. With clearer policies and safer systems in place, the country is set to redefine what it means to travel freely, responsibly and within the law.