KATHMANDU: The Department of Transport Management has partially reopened the registration of public vehicles in Nepal. Only vehicles meeting two specific conditions will be allowed for registration.
The department had suspended the registration of all types of public vehicles from May 21, 2026, for an indefinite period. The department has now eased the decision and allowed limited registration.
On June 22, 2026, the department issued a circular to all seven provinces and local levels stating that public vehicles fulfilling the conditions can be registered.
According to the department, vehicles will be eligible for registration if importers had already opened a Letter of Credit (LC), started the import process, and brought the vehicles into Nepal before May 21, 2026.
Transport offices can register such vehicles after verifying the required documents. Vehicles that completed the LC process and had entered Nepal before the suspension date will not face registration restrictions.
However, vehicles for which the LC was opened after May 21, 2026, will not be eligible for registration. The department said the suspension on new public vehicle registration will remain effective until further notice.
The move comes after the department stopped public vehicle registration citing increasing air pollution, rising vehicle pressure, and traffic congestion due to the lack of scientific public transport management.
The department had used Section 24(3) of the Vehicle and Transport Management Act, 1993, to suspend registrations. The provision allows the department to stop vehicle registration if it is considered necessary for public interest due to environmental pollution, road conditions, traffic pressure, or difficulties in transportation.
