After two years of lockdowns, Malaysia and Singapore are finally reopening their land borders starting Friday, 1st April 2022. This means Singaporeans can finally drive to Johor Bahru via the Causeway or the second link with their own private vehicles. If you’re driving into Malaysia, you’ll definitely need a Touch ‘n Go card (TNG) to pay for highway tolls, parking, and road charge. However, did you know that the TNG card has a lifespan of just 10 years? To ensure a smoother journey, here’s how you can check your TNG card status and balance available.
How to check Touch ‘n Go Card expiry?
If you haven’t already, you can register your card on the Touch ‘n Go Portal. Here are the steps to register if you don’t have an account:
- Go to https://tngportal.touchngo.com.my, click on Register here now
- Fill in your TNG Card number and select your nationality and enter your ID or passport details
- Fill in your personal information and contact details
- Read and accept the Personal Data Protection Act terms
- Read and accept the T&C
- Fill in your preferred username and password, as well as password recovery questions
Once you’ve logged in, you can view your TNG balance, validity, and transaction history.
Where to buy Touch ‘n Go Card in Singapore?
If your TNG card is invalid or expired, unfortunately, there’s no way to renew the card. If you’re in Singapore, you can purchase a new EZ-Link Touch ‘n Go card at selected 7-Eleven outlets. You can find the list of participating outlets here. The card costs SGD 10 and it comes with SGD 3 value in the EZ-Link purse.
The EZ-Link x TNG card is a dual-currency contactless card that allows you to store both Singapore Dollar (EZ-Link) and Ringgit Malaysia (TNG). This card is meant for Singapore-registered vehicles travelling between Singapore and Malaysia. It can be used on public transport in Malaysia, but not for public transport in Singapore. Malaysia-registered vehicles entering Singapore should get the Autopass card instead which is required for their electronic Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP).
According to EZ-Link, the card will be sold on Shopee from 29th March but it isn’t available at the moment. You can also get it at selected Cheers outlets from 1st April 2022. The card will be available at Caltex, Sinopec and SPC petrol stations island-wide from 11th April 2022.
The FAQ also states if there are no transactions on the TNG purse within 12 consecutive months, the purse will go dormant. EZ-Link advises card users to add the card to TNG eWallet to avoid such scenarios. You can learn more about the card here.
Unfortunately, you can’t top up the TNG card in Singapore. According to Touch ‘n Go, they will be a mobile team to assist with reloads at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) and Kompleks Sultan Abu Bakar (KSAB). However, they are only accepting credit and debit card payments and this mobile team is only available for a limited time until 30th April 2022.
Touch ‘n Go is also encouraging users to add their TNG card to their TNG eWallet which will ensure that the card will not go into an inactive state. Similar to the EZ-Link x TNG card, the card will become invalid if there’s no transaction for 12 months.
RM20 road charge is waived for a week
As announced by Transport Minister Dr Wee Ka Siong, Malaysia is exempting all Singapore-registered private vehicles entering Malaysia from paying the RM20 Road Charge from 1st to 7th April 2022. The exemption is aimed at reducing congestion at the two land checkpoints if a traveller has an insufficient balance or invalid Touch ‘n Go card. The exemption is also given to Singapore vehicles that have registered or installed RFID VEP tags as well. Do note that the RM20 road charge will be applicable from 8th April 2022 onwards.
To recap, Malaysia is allowing fully vaccinated travellers to cross the Singapore-Malaysia land borders without testing and quarantine requirements from 1st April 2022. Travellers are required to download MySejahtera, fill up the digital departure form in the app, and to adhere to all local SOPs. You can get more details on the official MyTravelSafe website.
