Smart Driving License Nepal Security Printing Centre Department of Transport Management Backlog Cleared QR Code License 24-Hour Service

Four-Year Backlog Cleared: Nepal Prints 3.1 Million Smart Driving Licenses in Record Turnaround

Nepal's Security Printing Centre has successfully cleared a massive four-year backlog by printing approximately 3.1 million smart driving licenses, with the Department of Transport Management now promising new licenses within 24 hours.

Apple Nepal

Nepal has finally ended a frustrating four-year wait for drivers as the Security Printing Centre (SPC) successfully completed the printing of approximately 3.1 million smart driving licenses. This massive achievement clears a backlog that had left hundreds of thousands of citizens relying on payment receipts as temporary proof of their driving status .

A Historic Breakthrough for Transport Management

According to the Department of Transport Management (DoTM), all pending licenses were printed by the end of the fiscal year, meeting the government's strict target . The project was executed in two phases, with the SPC printing over 2.59 million license cards in just eight and a half months following a new agreement signed in October . This rapid execution contrasts sharply with previous delays, where the department printed only 50,000 cards in six and a half months despite a backlog of 1.2 million .

Previously, more than 617,000 people were forced to use payment receipts as substitutes for their actual licenses due to the inability of the department to provide cards timely . The backlog had swelled to nearly 2.8 million applications at its peak, creating significant frustration for new drivers and those seeking renewals .

New QR-Code Technology and 24-Hour Promise

Moving forward, the DoTM has set an ambitious new standard: the department aims to print and issue new licenses within 24 hours of receiving the necessary data and revenue receipts . This shift marks a complete overhaul of the service delivery model, which previously saw delays stretching into years.

The new smart licenses feature advanced security upgrades, including QR codes instead of embedded chips, along with three layers of security technology and 34 visible and invisible security features to prevent forgery . The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MoCIT) has confirmed that these new licenses are completely safe and reliable for official use .

What's Next for Nepali Drivers

While the backlog of suspended licenses is now cleared, the DoTM notes that approximately 307,000 remaining applications have less than a year of validity left, requiring immediate attention . With the printing infrastructure now stabilized and the 24-hour target in place, the long wait for the smart driving license is officially over for the millions who waited since 2022.