Nepal Driving License Renewal Online 2026: Process, Fees & Documents
You can now handle your Nepal driving license renewal online through the DOTM portal, then visit your transport office just once for a medical check and biometrics. Your smart card stays valid for 10 years, so most people renew rarely, which is exactly why the grace period and the late fines catch drivers off guard.
This guide covers when to renew, the 90-day grace period, the full late-fine table, the documents and 2026 fees, the step-by-step online process, and what to do if you live abroad or your card is still printing.
Renew within 90 days of expiry to avoid a fine. Log in to the DOTM portal, select License Renewal, pick your office and date, and pay the fee (Rs 1,500 bike, Rs 2,000 car). Then visit once for a medical check and biometrics. The smart card is valid for 10 years.
म्याद सकिएको ९० दिनभित्र नवीकरण गर्नुहोस्, जरिवाना लाग्दैन। DOTM पोर्टलमा लगइन गर्नुहोस्, ‘License Renewal’ छान्नुहोस्, कार्यालय र मिति रोज्नुहोस्, र शुल्क तिर्नुहोस् (बाइकको रू १,५००, कारको रू २,०००)। त्यसपछि एक पटक मेडिकल र बायोमेट्रिकका लागि जानुहोस्। स्मार्ट कार्ड १० वर्ष मान्य हुन्छ।
Table of Contents
When Should You Renew? (Expiry & Grace Period)
A Nepal smart driving license is now valid for 10 years across all categories, after the amendment to the Motor Vehicles and Transport Management Act. Check the expiry date printed on your card and aim to renew before it passes. Drivers aged 60 and above should confirm at their office, since a shorter cycle can apply to them.
If your license has already expired, you get a 90-day grace period. Renew within those 90 days and you pay only the standard renewal fee, with no penalty. Miss that window and the fine starts stacking up fast, as the next section shows.
A simple habit saves you money: set a phone reminder a month before the expiry date, and renew inside the grace period even if the card still looks fine.
Late Renewal Penalties (Fine Table)
After the 90-day grace period, the fine is charged as a percentage of your base renewal fee, and it climbs the longer you wait. It is not a daily or monthly rate.
| Time since expiry | Extra charge | You pay |
|---|---|---|
| Within 90 days (grace) | None | 1× fee |
| 90 days to 1 year | +100% | 2× fee |
| 1 to 2 years | +200% | 3× fee |
| 2 to 3 years | +300% | 4× fee |
| 3 to 4 years | +400% | 5× fee |
| 4 to 5 years | +500% | 6× fee |
| Over 5 years | Renewal not allowed | License cancelled |
Example: a car license (Category B, Rs 2,000 base) that expired 3 years ago costs 4 × Rs 2,000 = Rs 8,000 to renew.
⚠️ Do not cross the 5-year mark
Once a license has been expired for more than 5 years, it is cancelled. You cannot renew it. You have to apply as a brand-new applicant and sit the written and trial exams again, so renew long before you reach that point.
Documents Required for Renewal
Bring the originals plus one set of photocopies to your appointment.
- Your current driving license (the smart card or old license being renewed)
- Nepali citizenship certificate (original plus one photocopy)
- Completed renewal application form from the portal
- Medical / fitness certificate dated within the last 3 months, where your category requires it
- 1 recent passport-size photo with a white background
- Payment receipt for the renewal fee
You also appear in person for biometric verification, so the licence holder has to attend, not a relative on your behalf, unless your office allows a documented proxy.
Renewal Fees
Renewal fees depend on your vehicle category. These are the 2026 base fees, before any late penalty.
| Category | Vehicle type | Renewal fee (NPR) |
|---|---|---|
| A / K | Motorcycle, scooter | Rs 1,500 |
| B | Car, jeep, van | Rs 2,000 |
| Medium | Minibus, light truck | Rs 2,500 |
| Heavy | Bus, truck | Rs 3,000 |
Add small charges on top: a medical or color test around Rs 15, and a form fee of about Rs 5. Fees change when the government revises rates, so confirm the current amount on the portal before you pay.
Step-by-Step: How to Renew Online
Here is the full Nepal driving license renewal online process, step by step. The online part takes a few minutes; you still visit the office once.
Log in to the DOTM Portal
Go to applydlnew.dotm.gov.np/login and sign in, or create an account with your mobile number, name, date of birth, and citizenship number. This is the same portal used for new applications.
Select Renewal
Choose “License Renewal” and enter your current license number. The system pulls up your record so you can confirm it is the right license and category.
Update Details & Choose Your Office
Check your personal details and update anything that changed, such as your address. Pick your health-checkup location and the transport office where you will complete the renewal.
Pay the Renewal Fee
Pay online through eSewa, Khalti, ConnectIPS, or a bank, or at the counter. If your license is past the grace period, the system adds the late penalty to your total automatically, so the amount you see already includes any fine.
Book Your Appointment
Pick an appointment date, then attend on that day with your originals for the medical check, biometric capture, and document verification. Your renewed smart card usually prints in 15 to 30 working days.
Renewal for Nepalis Living Abroad
You cannot fully renew from abroad, because the renewal needs an in-person medical check and biometric capture. There is no remote or embassy shortcut for those two steps.
Your two realistic options are to renew during a trip back to Nepal, or to send a trusted proxy with your original documents if your transport office accepts proxy submission. Confirm proxy rules with the specific office first, since practice varies. If your card is close to expiring and you have no Nepal trip planned, renewing on your next visit before the 5-year cancellation limit is the safest plan.
Can You Drive While Renewal Is Processing?
Yes, with proof. Once you have paid and completed your appointment, your payment receipt with your license number works as a temporary license that is legally valid to drive while the smart card prints. You can also show your status in the Nagarik App. Keep a photo of the receipt on your phone for traffic checks.
One caveat: if your license already expired and you are past the 90-day grace period, you are driving on an expired license until you actually renew. Renew before expiry, or at least inside the grace period, so there is no gap. You can track when your new card is printed on our Nepal Driving License Print Status Check page.
Already renewed? Check whether your new smart card has been printed and is ready to collect. It is free and takes seconds.
Check Print Status →
