Last Updated on October 29, 2026 by alizni
Service seekers in Chitwan and nearby regions are facing severe administrative hurdles as the written and practical driving license examinations remain completely suspended for over three months. The shutdown, caused by an ongoing legal process and a Supreme Court directive, has left thousands of aspiring drivers stranded without a clear timeline for when the examinations will resume.
The disruption officially began on Saun 10 (late July), when official orders mandated a temporary freeze on all written tests and field trials conducted by the Transport Management Office in Bharatpur. What was initially expected to be a minor administrative delay has now stretched into a quarter-year standstill, generating frustration among local residents, students, and foreign employment job seekers who urgently require a valid driver’s license.
Background of the Suspension in Bharatpur
The Transport Management Office in Bharatpur serves as a vital mobility hub for central Nepal. Beyond Chitwan district, thousands of applicants from surrounding areas—including Nawalpur, Makwanpur, Tanahun, and Gorkha—depend on this facility to obtain their light vehicle, heavy vehicle, and two-wheeler driving permits.
According to Govinda Paudel, Information Officer at the Transport Management Office, Bharatpur, the administrative pause is a direct consequence of a Supreme Court ruling involving a legal dispute over the practical trial center operations. Until the judicial authorities reach a verdict or issue a revised directive, the local transport authority remains legally unable to conduct examinations or issue fresh licenses.
Legal Context and Judicial Stay Orders
Legal disputes surrounding the selection and procurement of private trial centers are not entirely new in Nepal’s public transport administrative system. In Chitwan, the selection process for the official practical trial venue faced legal challenges, prompting a lawsuit that eventually reached the apex court.
The Supreme Court’s interim order effectively halted all ongoing examination procedures to prevent administrative irregularities while the court reviews the case. While such judicial intervention aims to ensure procedural compliance and fairness, the prolonged litigation period has unintendedly crippled public service delivery at the grassroots level.
Severe Impact on Service Seekers and Job Seekers
The three-month halt on driving license trial Chitwan processes has triggered widespread hardship across multiple demographics:
- Foreign Employment Aspirants: Many Nepalese youths preparing for overseas employment in countries requiring driving permits (such as Gulf nations or Malaysia) are unable to submit complete applications, placing their employment offers in jeopardy.
- Students and Daily Commuters: University students and working professionals who relied on completing their trials during academic or work breaks are now trapped in uncertainty.
- Financial Strain on Local Applicants: Many candidates had already spent money on driving school instruction, medical checks, and application fees. The delay forces them to undergo additional practice sessions at their own expense to maintain their driving skills during the gap.
Broader Administrative Challenges in Nepal’s Transport Sector
This prolonged delay highlights systemic vulnerabilities in how public utility services handle court orders and contractor disputes. While digital systems like online application forms and smart card processing were introduced to streamline operations across Nepal, localized disruptions like trial ground closures undermine overall efficiency.
When key offices like the Bharatpur Transport Management Office shut down trials, adjacent regional offices experience an influx of applicants, creating severe backlogs nationwide. Furthermore, applicants who need to renew licenses or correct existing administrative records also suffer when regional offices operate under reduced functional capacities due to ongoing court cases.
What Lies Ahead for Chitwan’s License Applicants?
Local public service advocacy groups and impacted citizens have voiced growing frustration over the lack of temporary alternative arrangements. While legal proceedings must take their natural course, service seekers are requesting that the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport explore legal remedies or interim measures to resume examinations promptly.
For now, candidates holding pending applications are advised to follow official announcements from the Transport Management Office in Bharatpur and refrain from paying unverified third parties promising shortcut solutions. As the court proceedings progress, public pressure continues to build for a swift legal resolution that will reopen the trial centers and restore crucial public services in Chitwan.