THE ESSENTIAL DOCUMENTS FOR A CAR IN NEPALIROADS
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As charming as Nepal is with its natural beauty and diverse wildlife, it is also known for some of its hazardous roads. However, of course, it does not mean there is a low inflow of people or local people traveling via road.
There are thousands of vehicles on the road every hour. But yes, road transportation can be pretty slow due to mountainous terrain, lack of government investment, and a harsh monsoon season.
So, as a local, you will need your driving license and the vehicle bill book to talk about riding a vehicle on the Nepali road. However, if you are a foreigner, you will require an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your local driver’s license. In the meantime, there are also several road rules to be followed.
DRIVING ON NEPALI ROAD AND ITS REQUIREMENTS
Before jumping onto the requirements to drive on Nepali roads, it is essential to understand the road condition here. There are multiple good-conditioned roads in Nepal; however, there are also plenty of rough roads, even in the city area.
Moving on, the roads in remote areas become harsher, especially during the monsoon season. Due to unmanaged road conditions, the streets get muddier with loads of potholes. Likewise, the roads suffer extra sufferable due to floods and landslides.
Furthermore, the roads have meager government investment; most of the trails are dusty. So, driving in Nepal creates enormous havoc, and safety is one of the main concerns. Therewith, you have to be an experienced driver to ride this trail.
Drivers' Requirements In Nepal
Every driver will require a local driver's license to drive legally in Nepal. Foreign drivers will need an International Driving Permit (IDP). For those unknown, IDP is a legal document that allows foreigners to rent and legally drive cars in Nepal. In simple words, IDP is essentially an English translation of your driver’s license.
For IDP, you can apply it to the authorities of Nepal as a supplementary document for identification. For this process, the locally issued driver's license from your foreign home country is valid in Nepal.
At the same time, you will have to meet the minimum age requirement of 18 for you to be able to drive. Likewise, your local driver's license should be expired during your stay.
Talking all these, IDP does not replace your local driver’s license. It is only a supplementary document that gives you legal permission to meet all the driving requirements. Additionally, this document works as the translation for the authorities in Nepal to understand your license.
Apart from IDP, drivers must have a passport, and if they rent a vehicle, they will require car rental documents. During your drive, you may encounter several toll booths where the local authorities will ask to confirm the identification.
Vehicle Renting In Nepal And Required Documents
Nepal has multiple vehicle rental companies, and you can book a vehicle online or in person. These rental companies are mainly in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
While taking a vehicle to rent, you will be required to present your valid driver’s license from your country, passport, and debit/credit card upon renting. All of the documents you submit must be valid and unexpired.
In addition, the rental companies provide multiple cars you can rent from their make, model, brand, engine, and so on. While doing so, it is essential to understand your travel itinerary. Additionally, these car rental companies charge specific fees, which include 24/7 customer service and Nepal tax charges.
COMMON ROAD RULES TO FOLLOW IN NEPAL
As you look at how Nepali roads operate, you might think that it is hazardous as it does not have many road rules to follow. However, it is not entirely true, as most drivers often ignore the rules, and authorities do not implement them strictly.
Altogether, whether you are riding a motorcycle or driving around in a certain vehicle, below are some rules that must be followed. All the rules listed below does not only apply for local drivers but also to foreigners.
As many countries often drive on the right side, you will drive on the left side in Nepal. Similarly, the driver's position is on the right side.
The speed limit on Nepali roads varies as per the location. In urban areas, the speed limit is 40km/h, while in rural areas, it is around 80km/h.
Like every other country, Nepal also has rules for drunk driving, and you are prohibited from it. The local authorities may pull you over to take a breath analyzer test every now and then. After the test, if caught in any influence, you will be fined for the act.
If you are driving with a child, you are not allowed to make them sit behind the rear seats in an estate car or hatchback unless you have a child seat. Furthermore, you also must have a child safety lock on while driving.
Like in every country, Nepal also has a strict law regarding seatbelts. It applies to both drivers and passengers on board.
The legal driving age for drivers in Nepal is 18. As you start driving, you will require a driver's license, bill book, passport, or an IDP.
Overtaking vehicles are allowed in Nepal and is often done on the right side of the road.
Traffic Road Signs
Most of the Nepali road signs are similar to the others. All these signs are categorized into five groups warning signs, priority signs, prohibitory signs, mandatory signs, and information signs.
The warning signs warn the driver of potentially dangerous situations and are usually in a shape of a triangle with a red outline. Some of its examples are roundabouts, riverbanks, falling rocks, checkpoints, and so on.
Moving on, the priority signs state to whom the priority should be given on the road. They are also in a shape of a triangle with a red outline. Some of its examples are crossroad warnings, Y-crossroad, etc.
Similarly, the prohibitory signs state things drivers and pedestrians are not allowed to do. They are generally shaped in a circle with a red outline. Some of its examples are entry prohibition, no U-turn, no parking, and many more.
At the same time, the mandatory signs tell you what to do and are circular with blue background. These include mandatory right-turn, driving straight ahead, mandatory roundabouts, and so on.
Lastly, the information signs give out details about on-road situations. They are usually squared-shape with blue background. These signboards include allowed parking, dead end, one-way traffic, etc.
