If your company has an approved ubahsyarat, you hold an APAD Surat Kelulusan (SK). This Surat Kelulusan is valid for 12 months. Based on recent applications, you can no longer extend it. So the clock starts on the issue date, and your vehicle work has to finish inside that window.
What has changed with the Surat Kelulusan
Until recently, many operators could extend an SK when the vehicle side ran late. Based on recent applications, you can no longer get an SK extension. As a result, you should plan as if your SK ends at month 12. If it expires, you will need to reapply.
The 12-month validity itself is not new. APAD circulars have long set the SK at 12 months from the issue date, and you can read them on the APAD goods vehicle circulars page. However, APAD has not published an announcement on the extension change. For that reason, check the current position before you commit to a timeline.
STK vs Surat Kelulusan: what is the difference?
Both are approval letters. However, they cover different applications.
- Surat Tawaran Kelulusan (STK): APAD issues this when it approves a new operator licence or additional vehicle permits.
- APAD Surat Kelulusan (SK): APAD issues this when it approves an ubahsyarat, a change of conditions on an existing licence, such as ganti kenderaan or ubah BDM.
The two letters also differ on extensions. An STK can be extended once, automatically, for 1 year. After that, you apply again. By contrast, the SK has no extension at all, based on recent applications.
For quick answers on permit types and approval letters, see the APAD FAQ.
How long an ubahsyarat takes
An ubahsyarat decision typically takes 3 days to 2 weeks. However, APAD decides the timing, and nobody can guarantee it. Once your SK arrives, the 12 months start counting. Therefore, have your vehicle plan ready before you submit.
Near month 11? Plan ahead
Say you are around month 11 of your SK. Meanwhile, complications may stop you licensing the truck before the SK expires. Do not wait for the last week.
Your Awalan inspection report from PUSPAKOM typically shows the SK or STK serial number. If you end up with a new SK, the serial number changes. The old Awalan report then no longer matches, so you must redo the inspection.
In this situation, Dynamic Costa may advise cancelling the SK early and reapplying. That way, the new approval and the inspection line up. Every case is different, so get advice before you decide.
How to plan around a 12-month SK
- Track the issue date of every SK. Your 12 months start from the date on the letter.
- Start the vehicle side early. Purchase, registration, PUSPAKOM inspection and JPJ work all take time. Begin as soon as your SK arrives.
- Build in a buffer. Aim to finish well before month 12.
- Review at month 10 or 11. If anything could delay licensing, decide your next step while you still have options.
Renewals carry similar traps. Before your next cycle, read 6 costly permit renewal mistakes to avoid.
Why a Surat Kelulusan runs out
- The dealer or the financing delays your replacement truck (ganti kenderaan).
- The vehicle fails inspection, and the re-inspection date lands late.
- Registration or ownership transfer documents take longer than expected.
- Nobody on your team tracks the expiry date.
Let Dynamic Costa track your Surat Kelulusan
Dynamic Costa tracks your SK and STK dates. In addition, your PIC coordinates the vehicle, inspection and licensing steps across APAD, PUSPAKOM and JPJ. As a result, you can act before your approval runs out. See the full scope of Dynamic Costa Commercial Vehicle APAD Permit Services.
Want your current approvals reviewed? Contact Dynamic Costa.
Dynamic Costa Sdn Bhd is an independent company and is not affiliated with, or acting on behalf of, APAD, JPJ or any government agency.
