KATHMANDU: The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) is in the final stage of signing an agreement with the Security Printing Center to print around 3 million driver’s licenses.
A preliminary deal for printing QR-coded licenses was signed last April, and the final agreement is now being prepared after completing technical and administrative procedures.
According to Keshav Khatiwada, Director of the Department’s Information Technology Branch, a formal letter has been sent to the Security Printing Center to finalize the agreement.
“Preparations have reached the final stage. We have responded to the center’s queries and sent a letter today. The agreement will be signed once the center confirms—possibly before Tihar,” Khatiwada told Meroauto.
He added that issues related to pricing and quality testing are still being finalized. Once the agreement is signed, all pending licenses are expected to be printed and distributed within a year. The center has proposed printing 150,000 to 200,000 licenses per month.
At present, around 3 million new and renewed licenses that have passed driving trials are awaiting printing. The DoTM previously handled printing under the central government, but due to repeated delays in production and delivery, the task is now being handed over to the Security Printing Center.
The department also faced major setbacks after the Gen Z agitation on September 9-10, which destroyed its office building, printers, and smart card stock. All license-related services have been suspended since September 10 as the online system and infrastructure were damaged in the fire.
Khatiwada said the department’s technical systems, including its servers, are being restored, and new license applications are expected to reopen after Tihar.
