Short answer: Many people live in Johor and work in Singapore, and the commute is the biggest factor in whether it works for you. Singapore-registered cars entering Malaysia by land must have a Malaysian VEP (Vehicle Entry Permit) RFID tag, and drivers without one have faced a RM300 compound fine since 1 July 2025. More than 350,000 people were reported to cross the Causeway daily in early 2025, and the government has announced QR and autogate measures to reduce queues. The RTS Link is the long-term alternative, but its opening date was still only a reported target at our last check. Test your actual route at your actual hours before you buy.
Last verified: 6 October 2026. This is a planning guide, not legal or travel advice. Rules and fees change, so check the official sources.
Do I need a VEP to drive a Singapore car into Johor?
Yes, if the car is Singapore-registered and you enter Malaysia by land. The Motorist’s guide (published 4 July 2025, updated 3 February 2026) reports these points:
- The VEP is an RFID tag in the form of a tamper-proof self-adhesive sticker, tied to one vehicle and not transferable.
- The tag costs RM10 as a one-time processing fee and is valid for five years from activation.
- You apply online through the Malaysian JPJ VEP portal with your vehicle documents, insurance certificate, identification, Touch ‘n Go account details and valid road tax, then activate the tag online with its serial number.
- Driving without a valid, activated tag can draw an on-the-spot compound fine of RM300.
Malay Mail reported that enforcement began on 1 July 2025 after a long grace period, with 10 Singapore drivers fined in the first hour, and that over 248,000 Singapore-registered vehicles had enrolled by late June 2025, of which 17% had not yet activated their tags. Enforcement is carried out away from the checkpoints to avoid adding to traffic, and fines are processed electronically.
What is being done about Causeway congestion?
In February 2025, a Malaysian Home Ministry official said that more than 350,000 people cross the Johor Causeway into Singapore every day. Malay Mail reported measures including QR code counters for all transport modes and expanded autogates, particularly for exit lanes, with a plan to raise QR lanes from 8 to 100 (50 entry and 50 exit) by the end of that year. The official said QR systems alone could reduce congestion by up to 40%, with an overall government target of up to 70% across all initiatives. These are official targets, not measured results, so check the current situation yourself.
What about the RTS Link?
The RTS Link between Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru and Woodlands North in Singapore is the main long-term alternative to the Causeway. As of 7 October 2026, passenger service is expected in February 2027 (joint statement by Malaysia’s Transport Ministry and Singapore’s LTA, 2 October 2026), subject to safety certification and approvals, and fares have not been officially announced. Read our RTS Link guide for the latest, and our guide to the CIQ and RTS area for what is near the station.
How should I choose where to buy around my commute?
- Write down your actual route. Your workplace in Singapore, your mode (car, bus, motorcycle, RTS Link) and your hours matter more than a map distance.
- Test it. Do the journey at your real peak time on a normal weekday and on a school-holiday weekday, door to door, before you commit.
- Think about which crossing you will use. The area you pick affects whether the Causeway, the Second Link or the future RTS Link is most convenient. See our area guides for CIQ and the RTS Link area and Tebrau and Mount Austin.
- Budget the running costs. Add the VEP, tolls, fuel, parking and your time to the monthly cost of owning in Johor.
- Do not buy only for a date. If the opening date of a rail link moves, the project should still make sense for you.
Frequently asked questions
Is the VEP free?
No. The Motorist’s guide reports a one-time RM10 processing fee and a five-year validity.
What happens if I enter Malaysia without a VEP?
A RM300 compound fine has been reported for non-compliant Singapore-registered vehicles since 1 July 2025. Confirm the current amount with JPJ.
Do I need a VEP if I take the bus or RTS Link?
The VEP applies to Singapore-registered vehicles entering Malaysia by land. It does not apply to you as a passenger on public transport.
How many people cross the Causeway every day?
A Malaysian Home Ministry official said more than 350,000 in February 2025, as reported by Malay Mail.
When will the RTS Link open?
The target is now February 2027 (announced 2 October 2026), but check the latest official announcement. See our RTS Link guide.
Sources
- The Motorist, The Motorist Guide to VEP, published 4 July 2025, updated 3 February 2026 (https://www.motorist.sg/article/4830/the-motorist-guide-to-vep-2026-edition)
- Malay Mail, Malaysia kicks off VEP enforcement at Johor border, 1 July 2025 (https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/07/01/malaysia-kicks-off-vep-enforcement-at-johor-border-fines-10-singapore-drivers-within-first-hour/182334)
- Malay Mail, Home Ministry official confident measures at Johor Causeway will cut peak congestion up to 70pc, 25 February 2025 (https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/02/25/home-ministry-official-confident-measures-at-johor-causeway-will-cut-peak-congestion-up-to-70pc/167908)
