Last Updated on July 3, 2026 by AMH
Nepal to Stop Printing Driving Licenses Nearing Expiry
The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) in Nepal has decided not to print driving licenses that have less than one year of validity remaining. This move affects over 300,000 pending licenses, a significant portion of the backlog that has accumulated due to printing delays.
Addressing the License Backlog
Currently, the backlog of printed but undelivered licenses is substantial. Many of these were applied for up to four years ago, and their validity has already expired or is close to expiring. The DoTM’s rationale behind this decision is to avoid the inefficiency and added cost of printing licenses that would need immediate renewal.
Keshav Khatiwada, a director at the DoTM, stated that out of the 2.9 million pending licenses, 311,000 have less than a year of validity. Printing these would incur a cost of approximately Rs. 6.6 crore (Rs. 220.54 per license, including VAT). More importantly, it would create unnecessary hassle for the license holders who would have to renew them within a short period.
Balancing State and Citizen Interests
The decision aims to serve the interests of both the state and the citizens. By not printing these short-validity licenses, the department saves public funds. For drivers, it prevents the need for repeated renewals and associated fees. The plan is to issue new, 10-year validity licenses upon renewal.
Furthermore, Khatiwada estimates that around 65% of these 311,000 license holders might be currently abroad. Printing licenses that are unlikely to be collected soon, especially if they expire before the holder returns, is deemed impractical.
Implications for Nepali Drivers
This decision means that individuals with licenses nearing expiry will not receive their printed cards before they expire. They will have to pay renewal fees without having physically received the current license. This could be particularly problematic for those who miss the renewal deadline, as the government is set to increase license renewal fees from the upcoming fiscal year.
Current renewal fees range from Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 3,000, depending on the vehicle class. From the next fiscal year (starting August), these fees are expected to double, ranging from Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 6,000. The DoTM cannot offer concessions on renewal fees, as this authority lies with the provincial governments. While provincial governments could offer discounts, none have made such decisions yet.
A significant change is that from August 2025 (Shrawan 14, 2082 BS), licenses will be issued with a 10-year validity, a welcome change from the previous 5-year term.
Printing Operations Accelerate
The new government has expedited the license printing process. As of June 18 (Ashar 18 BS), the Security Printing Centre has printed 2,389,431 licenses, with an additional 174,168 in the final stages of printing. This includes emergency, daily print, and backlog licenses.
The printing centre began issuing QR-coded licenses in November 2024 (Kartik 21 BS) and significantly ramped up production in February 2025 (Falgun BS), printing approximately 2.1 million licenses since then. The DoTM and the printing centre have a contract to print a total of 2.9 million licenses in two phases.
Khatiwada expressed confidence that the license printing issue is resolved permanently. Plans are underway to transfer printing responsibilities to the provincial governments starting August 2025 (Shrawan BS).
Out of the 2.4 million printed licenses, 2.2 million have been dispatched to transport offices nationwide. Approximately 35% of these have been collected by the public.
Conclusion for Nepali Buyers
Nepali drivers with licenses expiring within the next year should be aware of this new policy. It is advisable to renew your license promptly to avoid the increased fees and potential complications. While the backlog is being cleared, focus on securing your 10-year validity license soon, especially considering the upcoming fee hikes and the potential for provincial governments to adjust renewal policies.