Vocational Drivers Must Undergo PSS Health Screening To Renew Licences - Ramanan

KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 (Bernama) -- Drivers seeking to renew their vocational licences are now required to undergo a comprehensive health screening under the Healthy and Safe Driver Programme (PSS) at 500 panel clinics nationwide, said Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan.

He said the screening covers physical examinations, vision and hearing tests, screening for sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea, assessments of key bodily functions including the cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological systems, as well as glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) blood tests for drivers who require them.

He said the screening was not intended to inconvenience drivers but to detect health problems early so that prompt treatment and intervention could be provided.

"Under this initiative, drivers only need to pay RM30 for the health screening, while the remaining RM55 is borne by the MADANI Government through the Social Security Organisation (Socso)," he said when launching the PSS here today.

He said the ministry aims to expand the programme to 3,000 panel clinics nationwide to enable more drivers to undergo health screening.

Ramanan said the programme reflected the continued commitment of the Ministry of Human Resources and the Ministry of Transport to strengthening the road safety agenda and safeguarding the welfare of workers, particularly professional drivers who are the backbone of the country's transport sector.

He said 115 workers were killed in road accidents in 2025, up from 94 cases the previous year.

"The figure covers various categories of workers who rely on the roads to earn a living, including lorry, bus, van and car drivers, as well as motorcyclists.

"Of the total, lorry drivers recorded the highest number of fatalities at 62 cases, accounting for 21 per cent of the total deaths," he said.

-- BERNAMA