One of my colleagues in sales servicing the travel sector told me that most year-end holiday packages to popular destinations travelling by plane are sold out. However, coach tours to Malaysia are still available.

But if coach rides and a fixed tour itinerary are not your thing, why not go on a road trip in your car and be master of your own time and destination?

The North-South Expressway (NSE) was opened to traffic in 1994, and it has cut down travelling time throughout Malaysia. This 847km highway runs through the west coast from Johor Causeway to Bukit Kayu Hitam at the Thai border and branches off to many popular destinations like Malacca, Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, Penang and Alor Star.

Once you enter Malaysia via the Woodlands or Tuas checkpoints, look out for road signs pointing to the NSE.

The higher speed limit of 110kmh is known to unleash the inner speed demon in many drivers who can only drive up to 90kmh on Singapore roads. But suppress that urge, because speeding is dangerous, and driving conditions there differ from those on Singapore highways. The NSE is pretty much a long, straight road, and driving on it may take some getting used to.

Long-distance driving can lead to driver fatigue, so getting a good night’s sleep before setting off is important. Stop for a rest every one to two hours and any time you feel tired or sleepy. Share driving duties with a co-driver if you have one.

There are 18 rest and service areas (RSAs) located every 80 to 100 kilometres, with facilities like food stalls, children's playground, petrol stations, toilets and telephones, on both sides of the expressway.

In between the RSAs are smaller rest areas called laybys where you can find basic facilities like toilets and public telephones – enough for a short break.

If your car breaks down, don’t panic. Move it to the side of the road if possible and get assistance. Walk to the nearest emergency phone (every 2km on either side of the expressway) to contact the highway company’s (PLUS) 24-hour emergency service.

These telephones allow PLUS to trace the caller’s location automatically as soon as they are activated. The highway patrol or PLUSRonda, identified by their yellow PLUS vehicles, do free minor repairs, recharge batteries, and can tow your car to the nearest RSA or toll plaza.

You could also call PLUSLINE at 1800-88-000 for assistance from any normal telephone or mobile phone any time of the day.

Even if you don’t read Bahasa Melayu, you should familiarise yourself with some common words used in road signs in Malaysia and what they mean: