How to get a driving licence in Nepal (online form to trial)
Getting a Nepali driving licence means applying online for an appointment, then passing a computer-based written test and a practical trial at the Department of Transport Management. This guide covers the categories, the online application, and how to prepare for and pass each stage.
A driving licence in Nepal is issued by the Department of Transport Management (DOTM). The modern process is part online and part in person: you create an account and book an appointment through the online system, then you appear at a transport office for a computer-based written exam and, after passing, a practical trial (driving test).
Licences come in categories depending on what you want to drive — for example, motorcycle/scooter (category A) and car/light vehicle, among others. You can apply for more than one category, and you can later add a category to an existing licence. Make sure you meet the minimum age and any other conditions for the category you want.
The online system has limited operating windows and limited appointment slots, so a bit of planning helps. Once you pass both the written test and the trial, your licence is processed and you receive a smart-card licence. This guide takes you through it stage by stage.
Categories and who can apply
Decide which category you need before applying, because the test (written and trial) is tied to the vehicle type. The two most common for individuals are the two-wheeler category and the light-vehicle/car category.
You must meet the minimum age and basic fitness requirements for your category, and you must hold a Nepali citizenship certificate. If you already have a licence and want to drive a different vehicle type, you apply to 'add category' rather than starting fresh.
- Category A — motorcycle / scooter (two-wheeler).
- Light vehicle / car category — private cars and similar light vehicles.
- Heavier and professional categories exist with higher age and experience conditions.
- Add-category — for licence holders wanting to drive an additional vehicle type.
Apply online and book your appointment
Applications and appointments are handled through the DOTM online driving licence system. Note that the form is only open on certain days and hours and slots are limited, so try again on the next open day if nothing is available.
Create your account carefully — the details must match your citizenship certificate.
- Go to the DOTM online driving licence portal (applydl.dotm.gov.np) and sign up with your name, contact details and date of birth.
- Set a password and a security question, then verify the OTP sent to your mobile number.
- Fill the application, choose your category and your preferred transport office.
- Book an available appointment slot for your written examination.
- Note the system's open hours; if no slot appears for your office, check again on the next open day.
Pass the written (computer-based) exam
On your appointment date you sit a computer-based written test at the transport office. It checks your knowledge of traffic signs, rules and safe-driving basics.
The test is multiple choice and you need to reach the pass mark to move on to the trial.
- Carry your original citizenship certificate (and existing licence, if adding a category).
- Study traffic signs, right-of-way rules, signals and basic vehicle/safety knowledge in advance.
- Practise with sample question sets — many free practice questions are available online.
- The written test is multiple choice with a required number of correct answers to pass; answer carefully.
- If you pass, you proceed to schedule/take the practical trial; if not, you retake within the allowed limits.
Pass the practical trial (driving test)
The trial is the hands-on driving test on the transport office ground. For two-wheelers this typically includes manoeuvres such as riding through a narrow path and a figure-eight; for cars it includes controlled manoeuvres like parking and reversing.
Practise the specific trial layout for your office beforehand — many candidates fail simply because they have not practised the exact manoeuvres.
- Arrive on time with your documents and, where required, a suitable vehicle.
- For motorcycles: practise slow, balanced riding through the marked track and the figure-eight.
- For cars: practise parking, reversing and smooth clutch/brake control.
- Stay calm, follow the examiner's instructions, and don't rush.
- Note the retrial rules — there is a limit on how many times and within what period you can re-attempt; check the current policy.
Pay fees, biometrics and getting the smart-card licence
Along the way you complete biometric capture (fingerprints and photo) and pay the official fees for the licence. After you pass both the written and trial stages, your licence is processed and a smart-card licence is issued, sometimes after a short wait depending on card printing.
Keep every receipt and reference number until the card is in your hand. Fees vary by category and over time, so rely on the official amounts shown by the office or portal rather than old figures.
Renewing and common reasons people fail
A driving licence must be renewed before it expires; renewing on time avoids penalties. Renewal is generally handled at the transport office, and you should carry your existing licence and citizenship.
Most failures are avoidable with preparation.
- Not practising the exact trial manoeuvres for your office.
- Skipping written-test study and guessing on traffic signs.
- Details on the application not matching the citizenship certificate.
- Missing the appointment or arriving without the required originals.
- Letting the licence lapse — renew before the expiry date.
Key takeaways
- ✓Nepal's driving licence is issued by DOTM: apply and book online, then test in person.
- ✓Sign up and book your appointment at applydl.dotm.gov.np; the form has limited open hours and slots.
- ✓You must pass a computer-based written exam, then a practical trial for your category.
- ✓Carry your original citizenship (and existing licence, if adding a category) to the office.
- ✓Practise the exact trial manoeuvres and study traffic signs to avoid common failures.
- ✓After passing, complete biometrics and fees; a smart-card licence is then issued. Renew before it expires.
How to Get a Driving Licence in Nepal — FAQ
Can I get a driving licence fully online in Nepal?+
No. The application and appointment booking are online via the DOTM portal, but you must appear in person for biometrics, the computer-based written exam and the practical trial. The licence cannot be issued without these in-person stages.
What is the website to apply for a driving licence?+
Use the Department of Transport Management online driving licence system at applydl.dotm.gov.np. Note that the form is open only on certain days and hours, and appointment slots are limited.
What happens if I fail the written test or the trial?+
You can re-attempt within the allowed limits and time window set by the rules. Failing usually means scheduling a retrial; check the current retrial policy at your transport office, as the number of attempts and the time limit are fixed.
What documents do I need for the exam day?+
Carry your original citizenship certificate, and your existing licence if you are adding a category. Keep your application reference, and bring fee receipts and any required vehicle as instructed.
How do I add another category to my existing licence?+
Apply through the same online system selecting the add-category option, then pass the written and trial tests for that vehicle type. Bring your existing licence and citizenship to the office.
Sources & data note
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