New applications for driving license closed due to heavy backlog

KATHMANDU: New applications for driving license have closed from Tuesday due to heavy backlog on the distribution system.

According to Director General of the Department of Transport Management (DoTM) Namaraj Ghimire, the online application system was halted after the number of applicants crossed over 572,000.

The DoTM’s move has deprived aspirants seeking to apply for driving license. New applications for driving license have been shut for indefinite period.

The DoTM, issuing a notice yesterday (Monday), stated that no new application would be accepted from March 15 until further notice as the examination of existing applicants needed to be held at the earliest to clear backlog.

At present, the DoTM and provincial license offices not been able to manage examinations in a timely manner has affected the overall system, starting from online application, written exam, trial and even printing and distribution of licenses.

Earlier, the new drivers were in a dilemma after the online application was closed for a long citing CoVID-19 crisis.

The DoTM had begun accepting license applications from October 26 last year after a hiatus of six months. However, many applicants entering the process to acquire a driving license are in confusion after they received the exam date for 3 years later i.e. in 2025.