The Ministry of Transport (MOT) has clarified that outstanding traffic summonses will not automatically disqualify motorists from the Budi95 petrol subsidy. The statement serves as a direct response to earlier warnings from the Road Transport Department (JPJ) suggesting that failure to settle fines could cost drivers their subsidy entitlement.

The Source Of Confusion 

The anxiety among motorists stemmed from a statement by JPJ, who warned that ignoring traffic summonses would lead to blacklisting. Since blacklisted individuals are barred from renewing their driving licence or road tax, the department implied this would effectively cut off access to Budi95, which requires a valid licence to claim.

According to the JPJ Director-General, the backlog of fines is significant. Department records show 4.95 million unpaid summonses worth RM1.48 billion, while unsettled police summonses have reached RM6.6 billion nationwide.

MOT: No Automatic Link

The ministry has dismissed the idea that unpaid fines will lead to an immediate loss of subsidy. In a statement issued Tuesday, the ministry stressed that traffic enforcement and the Budi95 initiative operate as two independent mechanisms with no automatic connection.

The eligibility criteria provide a safety net that contradicts the JPJ’s grim warning. To qualify for Budi95, you must be a Malaysian citizen with a verified MyKad and hold a valid driving licence. The ministry confirmed that this includes licences that have expired, provided the expiry date is not more than three years ago.

This means that even if a motorist is blacklisted for unpaid fines and temporarily unable to renew their physical licence, they likely remain eligible for the subsidy under the “expired less than 3 years” rule. If you are unsure about your eligibility or how the system works at the pump, our detailed Budi95 guide offers a step-by-step walkthrough.

Penalty Reduction Available

While the subsidy is safe for now, motorists are still encouraged to clear their dues to avoid court action. To assist with this, authorities are currently running a penalty reduction campaign offering discounts of up to 70% on outstanding summonses. This amnesty window is open now but will conclude on 31 December.Motorists who fail to clear their fines risk blacklisting. While this might not instantly stop your Budi95 eligibility, it will eventually prevent you from renewing your road tax and licence once the three-year grace period runs out.

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