Short answer
Apply at the Department of Transport Management in Minbhawan, Kathmandu, with your valid Nepali smart licence, passport and passport-size photos. The international driving permit is a translation of your licence for use abroad. It only works together with the original Nepali licence, and some countries don't accept it at all for residents.
The details
What to bring
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Your Nepali smart licence | Original and a photocopy. It has to be valid |
| Passport | Photo page copy. The permit is matched to your passport name |
| Citizenship certificate | Original and a photocopy |
| Passport-size photos | Usually two or three |
What it's for
An international driving permit is a booklet that translates your licence into several languages so police and rental companies abroad can read it. It isn't a licence on its own, so always carry it with your Nepali card. Permits are usually valid for one year and never past your licence expiry.
Before you pay
Check what the country you're going to accepts. Some accept a Nepali licence with the permit for visitors. Others want a local licence for anyone staying longer than a few months. The destination country's embassy or its road transport authority will have the current rule. We haven't been able to confirm the Department of Transport Management's current permit fee, so ask at the counter.
Common problems
I'm going abroad to work as a driver. Is the permit enough?
Usually not. Most countries that hire Nepali drivers, including the Gulf states and Malaysia, expect residents to get a local licence, often with their own test. The permit may help for the first weeks or with the licence conversion, so check with your employer or the destination's embassy before you go.
My Nepali licence expires soon.
Renew it first. The permit is tied to your licence and is useless once the licence expires.
Can I get one from abroad?
Ask the Nepali embassy or the Department of Transport Management before you travel. Plan to get it in Nepal, because it's issued against your original licence.
Where to go
Find the nearest Transport office
Straight-line distance. Directions open in Google Maps.
Real experiences
Been through this recently? Tell the next person which office you went to and what they asked for. Reports are published as community notes, apart from the official information.
Share your experienceSources
- Department of Transport Managementdotm.gov.np
- DoTM notice: licence services and department contacts (2083)dotm.gov.np
- Wikipedia: International Driving Permiten.wikipedia.org
Written from the sources above and last checked on 8 Oct 2026. Some details aren't confirmed against an official page yet, so check fees and documents with the office before you go.
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