KATHMANDU: The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) has decided to issue driver’s license in two ways.

DoTM is preparing to issue provisional license for initial one-year period (trial period) after passing the trial, and smart license only after the trial period is over.

According to DoTM Director General, Nawa Raj Ghimire, the Motor Vehicle and Transport Management Act, 1993, mandates providing license initially for one-year probationary period after passing the trial. To implement those provisions of the law, DoTM is preparing to issue two types of licenses to the drivers, he added.

Ghimire said driver’s license would be revoked if drivers’ violated traffic rules for up to five times during the trial period. He was of the view that punctures could not be made in smart cards whereas there would be no problem in puncturing provisional license to track traffic violations.

DoTM and traffic personal track violations based on the number of holes in the license. Provisional license holders having less than five holes in their license would be issued smart license after the trial period is completed.

Ghimire said the system of two licenses would help in creating awareness about traffic rules among new license holders.

DoTM had prepared to issue provisional licenses from June 2021, however, he the plan could not proceed as planned due to the prohibitory orders in place to curb COVID-19 spread.

The department plans to start distributing licenses made from PVC from mid-July once the prohibitory order is lifted.