Singapore Car in JB: Pump RON97, Not RON95 (RM20,000 Fine)

If you drive a Singapore-registered car into Johor Bahru (JB), you must pump RON97, not subsidised RON95, and one Singaporean was fined RM20,000 for getting it wrong (as of 30 Sep 2026).

Malaysia stopped foreign-registered vehicles from buying subsidised RON95 on 1 April 2026. Many Singapore drivers still assume the old habit of topping up in JB is fine, so here is what the rule says, what happened to the driver who was caught, and how to fuel up without stress.

Can a Singapore car pump RON95 in Johor Bahru?

No. Per AsiaOne, foreign-registered vehicles have been barred from buying subsidised RON95 since 1 April 2026. Paultan adds that foreign-registered vehicles must fill up with RON97 even if the driver is Malaysian. The rule follows the car’s plate, not the driver’s passport.

• Foreign plate: RON97 (unsubsidised) only.
• Malaysian plate: BUDI95 at RM1.99 per litre is for Malaysians in Malaysian-registered cars only (Paultan, 6 Jul 2026).
• Foreign credit and debit cards are no longer accepted at self-service RON95 pumps; you settle at the counter (AsiaOne).

What happened in the RM20,000 fine case?

A Singaporean man in his 50s was caught refuelling RON95 into a Singapore-registered Honda Civic on 9 April 2026 during KPDN’s “Ops Tiris 4.0” at a petrol station in Johor. AsiaOne reports he was the first person arrested in Johor under the rule, that the car was seized, and that he faced a charge under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.

On 6 July 2026 he pleaded guilty at the Johor Bahru Sessions Court and was fined RM20,000, or three months’ jail in default; Paultan says he paid the fine the same day. Lesson: enforcement is real, and the penalty is far bigger than the few ringgit you save per litre.

How much does RON97 cost, and is it that painful?

Paultan quoted RON97 at RM3.37 per litre on 6 July 2026. Pump prices in Malaysia are set weekly, so check the price board or an app on the day before you fill up. Even at RON97 rates, most Singapore drivers find fuel in JB still cheaper than at home, but we won’t promise a saving because it moves week to week.

• Pros: your car runs perfectly well on RON97, and there is no risk of a fine.
• Cons: you no longer get the subsidised price that Malaysians pay, and the price can change weekly.

How do I fuel up in JB without a fine?

Keep it simple and you will be fine.

• Look at the nozzle and pump label. Choose RON97, usually the higher-grade pump. If unsure, ask the attendant at the counter.
• Pay at the counter if the self-service kiosk rejects your Singapore card.
• Do not let a friend or relative with a Malaysian card pump RON95 for you. The rule is about the vehicle, and Paultan is explicit that even a Malaysian driver in a foreign car must use RON97.
• Insider tip: fill up before you cross back. Singapore-side rules on tank levels for leaving the country also exist, so check LTA’s latest notices rather than relying on hearsay.

What else should a Singapore driver sort out before crossing?

Fuel is only one item. Malaysia also requires a valid VEP with RFID for foreign cars, and Singapore is changing its own foreign-car fees from 1 January 2027. Read our guide to driving to JB from 2027. If you would rather leave the car at home, see getting around Johor Bahru without a car, and plan your crossing time with our best time to visit JB guide.

Our serviced Studio and 2-Bedroom units at KSL D’Esplanade are a comfortable base for a driving weekend in Johor Bahru. Get in touch or WhatsApp +60 12-708 8789 to check availability, and ask us anything about the stay before you cross.