You need to renew driving license in Nepal every 5 years, and it can be done through any Transport Management office.
Even though there are only a few steps to license renewal in Nepal, it takes almost 2 to 3 hours.
As offices are closed on weekends and so is the DOTM Nepal most of us need to take half a day or leave work just to renew our license.
This is also one of the main reasons why people get fined and have to pay late renewal fees.
| Content | Driving License Renewal |
|---|---|
| Issued By | Department of Transport Management |
| Validity | 5 Years |
| Renewal Fee | Rs 1500 |
| Medical Fee | Colour Blind: Rs 90 Blood Group: Rs 5 |
| Fine After | 90 days or more |
| Fine Percent | 100%, 200%, 300%, 400% and 500% |
| Payment Methods | Cash |
| Application Mode | Offline |
| Official website | https://www.dotm.gov.np/ |
How to Renew a Driving License in Nepal?
To renew your driving license in Nepal, visit the Department of Transport Management office and follow the process below.
- Receive token and EDL print.
- Provide Biometrics
- Pass medical checkup
- Calculate your fees
- Payment
- Receive receipt (Wait for license print)
As you already know, Nepal has started implementing smart driving licenses, including an option to upgrade for existing license holders.
This has hugely impacted DOTM’s printing and distribution timing. Some are still waiting for their license after a year, so you might have to wait a little longer to receive your driver’s license.
But you will receive a receipt that can be used as a replacement until you receive your original renewed license.
Documents required to renew a driving license are
- Citizenship original and photocopy
- License original and photocopy
Step-by-Step Process to Renew License in Nepal 2023
1. Receive token and EDL print
The first step is to take a token number for your license renewal, which is the waiting list. And receive your EDL print (license information) from room 101.
The room number might be different for different cities and offices.
2. Provide Biometrics
The second step is to give or verify your digital biometrics. If you have given your biometrics to DOTM, then they will verify your digital fingerprint and if your information matches. You will be sent to the next step.
Biometrics in License Renewal includes:
- Picture
- Thumb Print
- Digital Signature
3. Medical checkup
The third step is to pass your medical, which is usually an eyesight or colour blindness test. They will check if you can see properly or not.
If you fail this test, then you might need to wear glasses and come back later with a doctor’s recommendation letter.
They will charge you Rs 90 for this test. It is quick and will not take more than a minute.
4. Calculate your license fees
The fourth step is calculating how much you must pay to renew your license. This depends on your license type and if you are paying on time or not.
If you pay your license renewal fees before 90 days of expiry, you do not have to pay a fine.
But if this exceeds, then you will be fined. Check the table below for fines and fees.
5. Payment
The fifth step is to pay for your fees. You can pay the fees over the counter.
No, form filling is needed.
6. Receive a receipt
After paying, you need to wait for the receipt. After it is ready, they will call you by name and give it to you.
You will receive two receipts. One is payment, and the other (Pink) can be used as a license.
After this, you can go home, and to check your license print status, you can check their official website.
About License Renewal fees in Nepal
The Department of Transport Management charges renewal fees to all Nepalese license holders after the expiry date.
As of 2023, Driving license renewal charges in Nepal start from Rs 1500 for two-wheelers, 2000 for small vehicles such as Cars and Jeeps, 2500 for heavy vehicles, and the highest will be Rs 3000.
These renewal fees are divided into categories of vehicles. See the image below for more information.
Fines for late renewal of driving license in Nepal?
The validity of your driving license in Nepal is of 5 years only, and if you want to keep using it, you need to renew it accordingly.
If you fail to renew your license on time, you must pay a fine as high as 500% plus your actual renewal fees.
If you fail to renew your license within 90 days of expiry, you will be charged 100% until the first year and will keep on adding 100% as the year passes by.
How much is the fine for an expired license in Nepal?
You need to pay a fine of 100% to 500% in Nepal if you fail to renew your license on time.
After how many months will I have to pay fines for an expired license in Nepal?
The Department of Transport Management charges fines for driver’s licenses after 3 months or 90 days of expiry.
My Personal Experience
My license expired on 21st September 2021, and I renewed it on 30th January 2023. As you can see, I was late by 1 year, 4 months and 23 days.
If we see the chart above for a time between 1 year – 2 years, we will get charged 200% as a fine.
I have A and B category licenses, which means I will pay Rs 2000 for renewal and on top of that, I need to pay 200% as a fine.
2000/100 * 200 + Rs 2000 = Rs 6000 in total.
How long does it take?
All the process was completed within an hour. Medical took a lot of time because there were new applicants, and the queue was very long.
Note: This information is based on personal experience while Renewing License in Nepal. Also, some of the data picked from the internet, such as images.
Frequently Asked Questions on License Renewal
How much does it cost to renew Bike and Scooty license in Nepal in 2023?
The Department of Transport Management charges Rs 1500 to renew a driving license in Nepal.
Excluding other charges such as photocopies, fines (if applicable), stamps, and medical charges.
What is the Cost of Car, Jeep and Van License renewal in Nepal?
The Cost of a Car, Jeep and Van License renewal in Nepal is Rs 2000. They fall into the small vehicle category.
What happens if a driving license is expired?
If your license is expired, then you cannot drive in public spaces unless you renew your license and pay the government the renewal fee.
Also, if you are caught driving without a license, then you will be fined and might get other punishments as well.
How to renew a driving license in Nepal?
Visit Transport Management Office in your Province and follow the steps below to renew a license in Nepal.
1. Receive token and EDL print,
2. Provide Biometrics,
3. Pass medical checkups,
4. Calculate your fees,
5. Payment,
6. Receive receipt (Wait for license print)
Can I renew my driving license online in Nepal?
No, there is no information about the online renewal of a driving licence in Nepal.
Visit the DOTM’s official website, dotm.gov.np, for more information.
Where can I renew my license in Kathmandu?
You can renew your license from The Department of Transport Management office in Kathmandu.
Where can I renew my license in Pokhara?
To renew your diving license in Pokhara, visit the Transport Management Office: located in Prithivi Chowk, Pokhara.
Do I need to pay fines for an expired license in Nepal?
Yes, fines will be applied if you do not pay your license renewal fees on time.
100% as a fine will be imposed if you renew after 90 days.
What is the maximum validity of a license in Nepal?
In Nepal, the maximum validity of a Driving License in Nepal is of 5 years.
What document do I need to renew my license in Nepal?
You will need only two documents to renew your license in Nepal your citizenship certificate and your expired driving license.
Can I renew my license early in Nepal?
Yes, you can renew your driving license early in Nepal.
When do I need to renew my driver’s license in Nepal?
Check for expiry dates in your driving license, and you can pay before or within 90 days of your license expiry.
How to renew a driving license that has expired more than 90 days in Nepal
You can renew your driving license as usual, but as it has exceeded more than 90 days, you will be charged a 100% fine for it.
Can I renew my Nepali license from abroad?
No, you cannot renew your license from abroad.
Because you need to provide your biometrics and medical, which is impossible from there.
Good evening, this is very good information
I had registered my driving liscence back then but now when I went to Transportation Office they confronted that they couldn’t find my name. So how can I find one?
After renewing your license, you can request for urgent or fast print.
Which can be requested by Nepalese Studing or working in Foreign.
You need to provide necessary document.
Hello
My driving licence (a+b) has already expired 2years ago and i wanna renew my license after back to npl because i am in foreign. I have heard that i can renew my license in ktm by fast way is it possible? How is the process and where to process? Thanks in advance
Hello asim, According to information I have from differnt sources. Renewal is not possible if you exeed more than 5 years.
I suggest you to visit your Transport Office for more information on how you can restore or renew you license.
I advice you to visit inquiry counter of Transport office and do not involve with broker as they will charge unresonable prices.
my license expiry date 2075/05/02
i was abroad and now I am in nepal and I need a license to drive here
may i can renew my old license or should have to make new license because it pass more than 5 years.
Thank you for sharing the you experience with the blog. This will help surely help readers.
So, you can only renew from the Transport Office you took your license from?
I made my license from Bhaktapur but when I went to transport management office in Ekantakuna to renew the licesne, they said me to go to Radhe Radhe, Bhaktapur. So can you please change what you have written, “You need to renew driving license in Nepal every 5 years, and it can be done through any Transport Management office.”.
Hello
Thank
You for wonderful post. Can you please tell how many months before the expire ig lisence can we renew?
My lisence expire in November 2023 so i can do renewal
Process in june 2023 (5 month ahead?)
Renewal fees depend on your license category.
Two Wheelers: Rs1500
Small Vehicles (Car, Van, Jeeps): 2000
It is the same all over Nepal. Check the renewal fees above.
Fines if you are late for renewal (above 90 days)
what about the fee ?
thulobharyang?
It opens at 10:00 am, I went around 11:00 am, and the overall process took 30 – 45 minutes for me.
what time is it better to get there (transport office)?