KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport has approved the Safe and Technology-Friendly Vehicle Operation Standard 2083, making several safety devices mandatory for public vehicles across Nepal.
The new standard aims to improve passenger safety, modernize public transport, reduce road accidents, and make vehicle operations more organized and reliable. It also implements the government’s 100-point governance reform agenda approved by the Council of Ministers.
Under the standard, public vehicles must now be equipped with devices such as front and rear dashcams, cabin cameras, driver monitoring systems, SOS emergency buttons, and vehicle tracking systems, depending on the vehicle category.
The installed equipment must be capable of recording and transmitting the vehicle’s real-time location, speed, direction, and other data through a global navigation satellite system.
The Department of Transport Management will classify vehicles and publish an implementation schedule for the mandatory equipment.
According to the standard, Safa Tempos must be fitted with a front dashcam and a cabin camera. One camera must cover the driver, while the other must monitor the passenger area.
Taxis must install front and rear dashcams along with SOS emergency buttons that are accessible to both the driver and passengers.
Small public passenger vehicles, including Scorpio, Bolero, and Sumo, must install dashcams and a driver monitoring system capable of detecting fatigue, drowsiness, distraction, and unsafe driving behavior.
Microbuses and minibuses must be equipped with front and rear dashcams, cabin cameras, and driver monitoring systems to improve passenger and driver safety.
For trucks and tankers, the standard requires front dashcams, reverse-assist cameras, driver monitoring systems, and axle load measuring devices that record the load carried on each axle.
Vehicle owners and operators must also keep a first aid kit in every public vehicle. Fire extinguishers are mandatory for all public vehicles except Safa Tempos and taxis.
The Department of Transport Management may exempt certain vehicle classes from these requirements. However, vehicles that fail to install the required equipment may not pass inspection. Their route permit may also be denied or canceled.
