If you've just earned your licence, chances are well-meaning friends have told you to gain more experience first before driving to Malaysia. After all, the unfamiliar roads and higher speed limits can be challenging.
But the call of the open road sounds too good to resist, and the thought of being able to sample good food along the way while recording stories for TikTok or Instagram is just too tempting. So, a driving holiday it is!
Now before you toss your luggage into the car and make a beeline for the border, here are several things you should do first to make your journey as smooth as possible.
1. Check your car's condition
Your trip could be cut short if your car isn't in tip-top shape. If your next scheduled service is after the driving holiday, send it in earlier. A new oil filter, fresh oil, plus a once-over from the mechanic will help ensure optimal performance.
At the same time, check the condition of your tyres, or at least get someone more experienced to check them for you. You don't have to buy a new set if there's still enough tread left, and make sure you inflate all tyres - including the spare if your vehicle has one - a day or two before the journey.
Don't forget to have at least a three-quarter full fuel tank when crossing the border. If you don't and you get caught, it's a $500 fine.
2. Miscellaneous toiletries
Think about what you'll need along the way or at your destination. Extra tissues, wet towels, hand sanitiser and masks are very useful items to have. It might seem like a hassle to pack these things, but it's better to have these items and not need them than the other way around.
Pack basic medication, too, such as Panadol and other related medications. It's easy to think that you can just buy what you need along the way, but if you're going somewhere new and unfamiliar, it's better to be safe than sorry.
You don't need a mobile pharmacy or gigantic first-aid kit, but at least have the basics so you can feel reassured.
3. Glass cleaning kit
Apart from the harsh sunlight, you'll need to be ready to deal with torrential downpours. In the car, outward visibility is everything - if the windscreens and windows are dirty, the risk of an accident increases.
Pack a glass cleaner (preferably one with hydrophobic properties) along with some cloths and a squeegee. If you're driving a hatchback or SUV, the rear window gets filthy easily, so you'll want to clear this after a day of driving.
You could go to a car wash, of course, but that will take time out of your schedule. Being prepared to deal with dirty glass is always a good - and better - option.
4. Plan your stops
It's easy to get carried away by the 'just drive and get lost' vibe, but it's best to do this only when you're familiar with the routes. As a first-timer, planning your stops will help you feel less stressed.
What you should avoid is giving yourself a time limit to reach a certain point. That will just make you anxious, especially if you miss an exit or run into traffic.
Let's say you're thinking of driving to Kuantan in Malaysia, which according to Google Maps, is about 350km away from Ang Mo Kio in Singapore. The drive could easily take five and half to six hours, so stopping every two hours would be advisable.
5. Have your reservations and documents in order
You've prepared your car and planned your route, but are your documents in order? For instance, if you've made hotel reservations, download them to your phone, or better still, print them out. You never know when they might come in handy.
It would also be a good idea to have your car's log card (if you're driving your own vehicle) and insurance certificate in the glove box - just in case. If you're renting a car, keep a copy of the rental agreement with you.
It might also a good idea to get an IDP (International Driving Permit), which you can get from AA Singapore.
6. Is your phone ready to roam?
Activate your roaming or data passport service that lets you utilise your local data while overseas.
While it may seem nice to do a 'digital detox' and be incommunicado till you reach your hotel, if a mishap occurs, you'll need your phone more than ever.
Once your lodging reservations are confirmed, this should be the next thing on your list. After all, if you're venturing into the unknown, you'll be using navigation apps such as Waze and Google Maps.
6. Touch 'n Go Card
If there's one thing all motorists heading to Malaysia need, it's the Touch 'n Go card, which is used to pay expressway tolls. You can also use them to pay for your purchases in shops that have this payment option.
To complement this, get yourself an 'extender stick'. Resembling a fly swatter, it's essentially a card holder with a handle that helps you reach the contact point for tapping your Touch 'n Go card.
It'll come in handy in Singapore, too, for carpark gantries placed too far for drivers to reach should they need to tap their CashCard for payment.
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