Malaysia — VanSky Motorhome Comfort Index

Malaysia will begin licensing RV rentals for commercial use from January 1, 2026. The new framework legalizes self-drive tourist hire vehicles across the country, including privately owned motorhomes registered before December 31, 2025, provided they are under 15 years old and pass a technical inspection. The policy aims to formalize the tourism sector and curb illegal transport services.

Malaysian authorities have allowed the commercial registration and licensing of campervans, enabling operators to purchase commercial insurance. The country has over 250 campsites, but not all have necessary infrastructure like electricity hook-ups and waste disposal.

Sales of affordable campers in China surged 85.6% in 2025, a British woman turned a Ford van into a mobile home for £25k, and a Japanese couple earned ¥6M from conversions — the trend spans the globe.

The Lao Yuehan RV club has launched its eighth trans-Eurasian expedition. A convoy of 12 motorhomes will cover over 40,000 km through 30 countries and is scheduled to return to China in September 2026.

Malaysia now allows motorhomes to be registered for commercial self-drive rental. However, a 15-year age limit, high purchase and inspection costs, and unclear insurance details are expected to raise daily rental rates from 600 to 1000 Malaysian ringgit. The development of campground infrastructure and a service network is also seen as a multi-year challenge.

Despite policy support for motorhome self-drive rentals in Malaysia, the industry faces significant hurdles. A 15-year-old motorhome can cost over $25,000-$30,000, while daily rental rates of a few hundred dollars offer limited profit margins. With only about 1,400 motorhomes registered nationwide, the market size is too small to support a full industry ecosystem.