THE Penang Road Transport Department seized 73 luxury vehicles valued at about RM10 million last year after their owners failed to renew their road tax, with some cases involving lapses stretching back several years.
State RTD director Zulkifli Ismail said many of the owners, including businessmen, cited forgetfulness or a decline in income as reasons for failing to renew their road tax.
He revealed that in some instances, road tax had expired for as long as three years. One case involved a Rolls-Royce with an annual road tax of RM54,000.
Zulkifli disclosed this while speaking to reporters during an enforcement operation targeting commercial vehicles at the south-bound Sungai Dua Toll Plaza in Butterworth last night.
During the operation, 922 commercial vehicles were inspected and action was taken against 120 of them for various offences, including expired road tax, driving without a valid licence and the absence of a second driver.
Zulkifli said data recorded from the start of the year showed that driving without a licence remained the most common offence involving commercial vehicles.
Express and tour buses were also frequently found to be operating without a second driver, raising concerns over safety and compliance.
“For commercial vehicles, we see a trend where operators take advantage by hiring drivers at lower wages. Those without driving or vocational licences can be paid less, which benefits the operators,” he said.
“As for buses, companies are prioritising profits and avoiding employing two drivers. By using only one driver, they reduce operating costs,” he said, adding that 230 offences related to the absence of a second driver were recorded last year.
The RTD said enforcement efforts would continue as part of broader measures to improve road safety and ensure compliance with transport regulations. - January 29, 2026
