KATHMANDU: The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) has sent data of around 200,000 driving licenses to the Security Printing Centre for printing.
The DoTM had signed an agreement with the Centre on October 29, 2025, to print 1.2 million driving licenses within six months, after the department was severely damaged by arson during the Gen-Z movement. The fire had destroyed printers and other key equipment, halting license printing for nearly two months.
According to DoTM Information and Technology Director Keshav Khatriwada, the department has so far prioritized only emergency cases, including applicants traveling abroad. “We have already printed and distributed around 17,000 licenses for urgent cases. Out of the agreed 1.2 million licenses, data of 218,000 service seekers was sent to the Centre last Thursday,” he said, adding that the Centre has all the required materials and is expected to deliver the printed licenseswithin a few weeks.
Khatriwada claimed that the remaining 982,000 licenses would also be printed within the remaining three months of the agreement period. Before the Gen-Z movement, the department had failed to print licenses for nearly 2.5 million drivers who had already passed their driving tests. Following the destruction caused by the fire, DoTM entered into a phased agreement to print licenses, but was unable to sign a separate deal for an additional 1.3 million licenses due to a lack of financial resources.
Meanwhile, DoTM continues to provide services on a temporary basis. Khatriwada said the department’s server, damaged during the unrest, is still operating temporarily. “This is one of the busiest public service offices in the country. We were providing services from waiting areas. Only last month, after retrofitting the building and with support from government and non-government institutions, we managed to arrange computers and other equipment,” he said.
He added that although a proposal to establish a permanent server has already been sent to the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, progress on the matter has yet to begin.
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