1,457
people died in lorry crashes between January 2019 and November 2024, according to Bukit Aman traffic police.
Royal Malaysia Police figures, reported by Bernama via Malay Mail, 28 December 2024
Transport and logistics
Driver drug and alcohol testing for Malaysian transport and logistics fleets
Every trip starts with a driver you trust. Give your depot team the breathalyzers, drug test kits and policy they need to confirm each driver is fit to drive before the keys change hands.
Transport and logistics in Malaysia at a glance
153
people died in bus crashes over the same period, from 548 accidents.
Royal Malaysia Police figures, reported by Bernama via Malay Mail, 28 December 2024
94 of 120
fatal crashes linked to impaired driving between 2023 and June 2026 involved drug-impaired drivers. The other 26 were linked to drunk driving.
Royal Malaysia Police (Bukit Aman JSPT), reported by The Capital Post, 30 July 2026
Testing equipment
for depots and drivers on the road
Choose the method that suits each testing situation. Many fleets use more than one.
Breath alcohol testing
Portable breathalyzers with camera and GPS, like the Andatech Prodigy 3, record who was tested, where and when. Wall-mounted units test each driver at the depot in seconds. Every unit is certified to Australian Standard AS3547.
Urine drug testing
MDA-registered UDAT kits show use over a longer window. They suit pre-employment screening of new drivers.
Saliva drug testing
Saliva kits detect recent drug use, from roughly the last 5 to 48 hours, the window most linked to impaired driving.
Third-party on-site testing
Some fleets prefer an independent provider to run testing days at the depot. We can advise on what to look for in a provider and supply the same certified equipment for your own team.
Which transport operators
should test their drivers?
Any business that puts drivers or operators on the road or in the yard. That includes:
- Warehouse and distribution centres with forklift operators
- Lorry, haulage and container transport companies
- Port haulage and logistics contractors
- Express bus, school bus and coach operators
- Courier and last-mile delivery fleets
- Tanker and hazardous goods carriers
The cost of
an impaired driver
One impaired driver puts other road users, your cargo and your company name on the line. Pre-trip testing helps you stop it at the depot.
Road crashes
A heavy vehicle driven by an impaired driver can cause deaths and serious injuries.
Damaged cargo and vehicles
One crash can write off a prime mover, its load and the delivery promised to your customer.
Fatigue and stimulants
Long hours and night runs can push some drivers toward stimulants that hide fatigue but impair judgement.
Legal and financial exposure
After a serious crash, investigators will ask what your company did to check its drivers were fit to drive.
Lost contracts
Shippers and principals expect their transport partners to manage drug and alcohol risk. Weak controls can cost you the next tender.
Higher insurance costs
A poor claims record raises premiums for the whole fleet.
What should a fleet drug and alcohol policy
contain?
A clear policy tells drivers what is expected, when they will be tested and what happens after a non-negative result. Make pre-trip testing part of the daily check, alongside the vehicle inspection.
Pre-employment
Screen new drivers and operators before they start.
Pre-trip
Breath test each driver at the depot before they take a vehicle out.
Random testing
Test a share of drivers on a schedule your policy sets, to deter use.
Reasonable suspicion
Test a driver when a dispatcher or supervisor notices signs of impairment before a trip.
Post-crash
Test after any crash, near miss or vehicle damage.
Return to work
Set clear conditions for a driver returning after a positive result or treatment.
Road Transport Act 1987
Makes it an offence to drive with alcohol above the legal limit, or while under the influence of drugs. Penalties rose under the 2020 amendments.
Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994, Section 15
Your duty as an employer to provide a safe workplace, as far as practicable, including for workers on the road.
OSHA 1994, Section 24
Every worker, including drivers, must take reasonable care for their own safety and for other road users and colleagues.
DOSH Code of Practice (2005)
The DOSH guide to preventing substance abuse at work, with advice on policy, committees and training for employers.
Personal Data Protection Act 2010
Rules on collecting, storing and sharing driver test results and other personal data.
Shipper and client requirements
Many shippers set alcohol and drug rules for their transport contractors. Check your contracts before your next audit.
What fleets
usually screen for
What a driver screen can cover
AlcoholCannabis (THC)AmphetaminesMethamphetamineCocaineOpiatesBenzodiazepinesKetum / Kratom
Detection windows and the drugs covered vary with the device, sample type and test panel.
Test drivers for alcohol with a certified breathalyzer
Get a reading in seconds before every trip and keep a record of each test.
Test drivers for drugs with saliva or urine kits
Any non-negative result goes to an accredited laboratory for confirmation. Keep your testing records ready for audits.
From first call
to pre-trip testing
Talk to an advisor Transport and logistics testing guides
Guides to help you build and run a drug and alcohol program for your drivers.
Guide
Transport companies must prioritise drug testing
Why fleets need a drug testing policy for their drivers.
Guide
Why PDRM is shifting to saliva drug testing: workplace implications
How police use of saliva testing could affect your drivers and fleet.
Guide
Effects of drug driving: ganja, syabu, ice and more
How common drugs affect a driver's judgement and reaction time.
Guide
What is the drink driving limit in Malaysia?
The legal alcohol limit for drivers in Malaysia, explained.
Guide
Drunk driving penalties in Malaysia
What drunk driving offences can mean for drivers in Malaysia.
Guide
Understanding next-day alcohol impairment in the workplace
Why drinking the night before can still affect a driver on an early run.
Frequently asked
questions
Still unsure? Talk to our team and we'll help you find the right testing approach for your fleet.
What is the legal alcohol limit for drivers in Malaysia?
Under the Road Transport Act 1987, the limit is 50 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood, or 22 µg per 100 ml of breath. Many fleets set a stricter limit, including zero, in their own policy.
Can we test drivers before every trip?
Yes. A breath test takes seconds, so it fits into the daily vehicle check without delaying departures.
How do we test drivers at several depots?
Place a breathalyzer at each depot and connect it to Andalink. Every result appears in one dashboard, and managers get an email alert when a test is over the limit.
Do you carry out testing at our depots?
No. We supply equipment and advise on your policy and process, so your own team or a provider you choose can run the tests.
How often do fleet breathalyzers need calibration?
Every 12 months. Our local office handles calibration and reminds you when it is due.