Jump to content

Malaysia: Seeking Advice for Malacca Road Trip


Carmaniac
 Share

Recommended Posts

Neutral Newbie

Good morning all, 2 of my friends and I are contemplating taking on a road trip to Malacca but there are several areas of concern which we feel should be addressed first.

 

1. Limited driving experience: As we are only 21 this year and the most experienced of us has merely 1 year plus of experience on local roads, it would be more difficult to find a willing car rental. On top of that I believe the insurance excess could be much higher for inexperienced drivers like us? We might be able to use one of our family's car but are now looking at rental as an alternative.

 

2. Choice of car rental: Would it be easier for us to engage a reliable rental company in JB instead of Singapore? The costs would be cheaper too since there is no need to pay for any overseas driving surcharge. Any recommendations to give?

 

3. Could there be any potential problems that newbie drivers like us will encounter when driving up north?

 

With regard to places to visit, I believe that it is not much of an issue as there are countless websites to refer to...

 

I would greatly appreciate any constructive feedback as it will contribute to our decision making - go or no go.

 

Thank you all in advance!

↡ Advertisement
Link to post
Share on other sites

Good morning all, 2 of my friends and I are contemplating taking on a road trip to Malacca but there are several areas of concern which we feel should be addressed first.

 

1. Limited driving experience: As we are only 21 this year and the most experienced of us has merely 1 year plus of experience on local roads, it would be more difficult to find a willing car rental. On top of that I believe the insurance excess could be much higher for inexperienced drivers like us? We might be able to use one of our family's car but are now looking at rental as an alternative.

 

2. Choice of car rental: Would it be easier for us to engage a reliable rental company in JB instead of Singapore? The costs would be cheaper too since there is no need to pay for any overseas driving surcharge. Any recommendations to give?

 

3. Could there be any potential problems that newbie drivers like us will encounter when driving up north?

 

With regard to places to visit, I believe that it is not much of an issue as there are countless websites to refer to...

 

I would greatly appreciate any constructive feedback as it will contribute to our decision making - go or no go.

 

Thank you all in advance!

 

no.3 point no problem.. I drove up to Ipoh when I was still a P-Plater.. a fantastic experience..

Link to post
Share on other sites

Turbocharged

no.3 point no problem.. I drove up to Ipoh when I was still a P-Plater.. a fantastic experience..

 

exactly. everyone will have their first time. just don't do stupid things like speeding.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Neutral Newbie

Thank you guys for your feedback and assurance. Yup, we will not speed as there is no rush and the distance is not too great when there are 3 of us to take turns to drive. We also don't wanna contribute to the personal coffers of the traffic policemen. :D Anyone care to advise for points 1 and 2?

Link to post
Share on other sites

Supercharged

When i was 22, i was driving from Gold Coast to Rockhampton in rented Ford Falcon. That's 1000 km.

Rockhampton!!! You going to Shoalwater Bay training area? [laugh]

Link to post
Share on other sites

Turbocharged

actually the roads in Aust are very easy to drive. the only complication is in Mel, where you need to keep left in order to turn right!! I think this is due to the tram. anyone can confirm?

Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you guys for your feedback and assurance. Yup, we will not speed as there is no rush and the distance is not too great when there are 3 of us to take turns to drive. We also don't wanna contribute to the personal coffers of the traffic policemen. :D Anyone care to advise for points 1 and 2?

 

Not much to advise on rental part.

 

Only the following to advise:

 

(a) Do get a TOUCH N GO card first for all the toll stations. You can "borrow" from someone before going.

 

(b) Do keep to the left on NS Highway unless you folks are all chiong kings. Speeds can reach > 200kph for both Sg & My cars on the right lane.

 

© Do have a GPS on on board or at least a road map after exiting NS Highway to guide you to Malacca.

 

(d) Do note in Malacca the road near Jonker Street (main attraction for most) is one-way direction. May have to finish a circuit to come back to the spot you missed earlier.

 

(e) Do park at designated parking spots with either coupon parking or paid parking. Illegally parked cars will be booked as the wardens there very the on.

 

(f) Do note that during public holiday or school holiday period the legal uniformed beggars will probably be out in force...

Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you guys for your feedback and assurance. Yup, we will not speed as there is no rush and the distance is not too great when there are 3 of us to take turns to drive. We also don't wanna contribute to the personal coffers of the traffic policemen. :D Anyone care to advise for points 1 and 2?

 

My take on point no.2 - till I got my car, I have always rented car from JB for driving into Malaysia. There are numerous car rentals at Kota Raya area in JB. Check out their websites and it is preferable to book beforehand so you can get a car of your choice. All of them give discounts, so please ask. It is definitely cheaper and of course you don't have to pay any overseas charge. Further, you have the advantage of driving a local car and hence less susceptible to the other 'dangers'. If three of you are taking turns to drive, ensure that you declare this to the car rental company as they will include this info for the insurance. Some car rentals have a limited mileage rate as well, so if you're going to drive a lot get the unlimited mileage option.

Hope this helps!

Link to post
Share on other sites

Supercharged

Point 1 - this is very subjective. Sometimes it is not the age factor that determines if you are suitable to drive in Malaysia. I feel its more of a adventurous nature that will bring you there. I know a guy of 22 years old who drove to all over Malaysia with some friends who were even younger and all roughly only have 1-2 years of driving experiences! Yet, I also friends of 30-40yrs old who had over 10+ years of driving experiences but dare not even drive across the Causeway!

 

Point 2 - if you can borrow a family's car, then do so. It saves the hassle of doing the car rental stuff. It is also more convenient. Own family car is safer too as it is usually more well maintained.

 

Point 3 - no problem if you are a newbie, provided you obey the rules and drive as the locals do.

 

Link to post
Share on other sites

Not much to advise on rental part.

 

Only the following to advise:

 

(a) Do get a TOUCH N GO card first for all the toll stations. You can "borrow" from someone before going.

 

(b) Do keep to the left on NS Highway unless you folks are all chiong kings. Speeds can reach > 200kph for both Sg & My cars on the right lane.

 

 

Link to post
Share on other sites

exactly. everyone will have their first time. just don't do stupid things like speeding.

 

erm.. agree.. my first trip.. during return leg.. I averaged 160.. [blush]

Link to post
Share on other sites

Turbocharged

erm.. agree.. my first trip.. during return leg.. I averaged 160.. [blush]

 

Very good and we are very impressed! <_<

Link to post
Share on other sites

Turbocharged

why so serious yo.. everyone go thru that stage.. once.. <_<

 

well, we are trying to advise inexperience drivers not to speed esp during their first trip and you are here to impress us with avg speed of 160kmph. <_<

 

And i hope you don't think 160kmph is consider fast..... [rolleyes]

Link to post
Share on other sites

Good morning all, 2 of my friends and I are contemplating taking on a road trip to Malacca but there are several areas of concern which we feel should be addressed first.

 

1. Limited driving experience: As we are only 21 this year and the most experienced of us has merely 1 year plus of experience on local roads, it would be more difficult to find a willing car rental. On top of that I believe the insurance excess could be much higher for inexperienced drivers like us? We might be able to use one of our family's car but are now looking at rental as an alternative.

 

2. Choice of car rental: Would it be easier for us to engage a reliable rental company in JB instead of Singapore? The costs would be cheaper too since there is no need to pay for any overseas driving surcharge. Any recommendations to give?

 

3. Could there be any potential problems that newbie drivers like us will encounter when driving up north?

 

With regard to places to visit, I believe that it is not much of an issue as there are countless websites to refer to...

 

I would greatly appreciate any constructive feedback as it will contribute to our decision making - go or no go.

 

Thank you all in advance!

 

 

1) any car will do but please test the brake system for any rental car in JB.. some can be in very bad shape.. try to get a more powerful car also low fuel consumption model

 

3) driving up north is not tough if you are using highway.. best u get a malaysia map or GPS, plan your rest area.. rest well.. just be extra careful while overtake big vehicle like coach bus or petrol tanker.. etc..

 

just remember safety first and enjoy your trip.. in Malacca, the street road around city mainly are one direction only, so if u miss a turn, u may need to go 1 big round.. but other than that it's quite easy driving in Malacca.. :)

Link to post
Share on other sites

well, we are trying to advise inexperience drivers not to speed esp during their first trip and you are here to impress us with avg speed of 160kmph. <_<

 

And i hope you don't think 160kmph is consider fast..... [rolleyes]

hahaah.. sorry.. I noob ma.. you must welcome this newbie with welcome hands.. :ph34r:

Well.. sorry.. I am a safe driver.. 160 was too fast for me.. well.. 220 was slower.. [rolleyes]

 

 

 

↡ Advertisement
Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...