New Transport Bill in Nepal Proposes Longer License Renewal and Stricter Age Limits

The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport (MoPIT) has proposed Motor Vehicles and Transport Management Bill-2081.

Introduction

The government of Nepal has long struggled with inefficiencies in transport management, particularly in issuing driving licenses. Currently, individuals who pass the license assessments receive a temporary slip, which serves as a provisional license until their official “Smart License” is ready.

However, the wait for the Smart License is unpredictable and often extends for years. In some cases, the five-year renewal period expires before applicants even receive their licenses.

Proposed License Renew Timeline

To address this issue, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport (MoPIT) has introduced a new bill aimed at streamlining the licensing system.

The proposed amendment extends the license renewal period from five to ten years.

Drivers and riders must renew their licenses within 90 days of expiration and undergo a medical fitness assessment as part of the process.

Updated Age Limits for Different Vehicle Categories

The bill also introduces major changes to the age requirements for different vehicle categories under the Motor Vehicles and Transport Management Act 1993. These revisions aim to reduce road accidents, which have increased significantly in recent years.

Additionally, the bill proposes a new classification system for driving licenses, separating them into ordinary and professional categories. The professional license, intended for public vehicle drivers, comes with additional requirements, including mandatory training, assessments, dress codes, and strict renewal protocols.

The following table outlines the updated age requirements under the proposed bill compared to the existing regulations.

Additional Reforms

Beyond age requirements, the bill introduces a minimum educational qualification for obtaining a driving license. Applicants must have successfully completed Grade 8, making basic education a mandatory criterion.

For commercial and medium-sized public transport vehicles, the bill sets an upper age limit of 60 years. However, this restriction does not apply to private vehicle drivers yet.

The proposed law also aims to enhance road safety by barring individuals with serious criminal records, repeated traffic violations, and histories of alcohol or drug abuse from obtaining a driving license.

Conclusion

Currently, the bill remains under discussion among stakeholders. Once all necessary adjustments and revisions are made, it will be passed into law, bringing much-needed reforms to Nepal’s transport sector.

Annex

As per the Motor Vehicles and Transport Management Act, 2049 (1993) of Nepal, the motor vehicles in Nepal are classified into following types and labels:

Heavy motor vehicle: A motor vehicle whose weight is more than ten tons shall be called as a heavy motor vehicle.

Medium motor vehicle: A motor vehicle whose weight is more than four tons and less than ten tons shall be called as a medium motor vehicle.

Light motor vehicle: A motor vehicle whose weight is less than four tons shall be called as a light motor vehicle.

Public motor vehicle: (1) A motor vehicle having obtained the certificate of registration to operate the transport service shall be called as a public motor vehicle. (2) The public motor vehicles shall be divided into two types namely the passenger motor vehicles and the cargo motor vehicles.