Renting a Car in Malaysia

Renting a car is relatively straightforward in Malaysia, with traditional rental companies and app-based services offering vehicles by the hour, day, week or month.

Companies such as Avis provide conventional counter-based rentals, including airport collection, daily rentals and weekly packages. App-based providers such as SOCAR and GoCar allow customers to register, locate a nearby car and unlock it using their mobile phone. SOCAR currently advertises rentals from RM6 an hour, while GoCar advertises rates from around RM13.90 an hour. Avis has also offered promotional rates from approximately RM68 per day. Actual prices vary according to the vehicle, location, rental period, mileage allowance and demand.

Foreign customers will generally need a passport, a recognised driving licence, an International Driving Permit where required, a payment card and a local telephone number. Individual companies may impose their own minimum age, deposit and licence requirements. GoCar, for example, requires non-Malaysian residents to provide their passport, home-country licence and International Driving Permit.

FLUX offers a monthly subscription (from 1 to 36 months) for people staying here longer, which can be an attractive option. . (See more details under ‘Long-term car rental).

If renting it is best to check any insurance excess, mileage limits, fuel policy, permitted drivers, late-return charges and (if planning to drive out of Malaysia), whether the vehicle may be driven into Singapore or Thailand.

Prices were checked in July 2026 and may change.