KATHMANDU: The government has moved to introduce Nepal’s first dedicated road safety law. The Road Safety Bill, 2083 was registered at the House of Representatives by Infrastructure Development Minister Sunil Lamsal.
The Cabinet had approved the bill on September 29, 2026. The proposed law aims to improve coordination among agencies involved in road safety, prevent and reduce road accidents, strengthen monitoring and evaluation, and reduce the human and economic losses caused by accidents.
The bill includes provisions on institutional arrangements for road safety, provincial and local road safety coordination committees, safe road infrastructure, safer vehicles and transport services, speed regulation, road-user safety and awareness, accident rescue and treatment, insurance, and compensation.
As the bill has now been registered in Parliament, it will move through the legislative process. It is likely to be sent to a parliamentary committee for clause-by-clause discussion and consultation with stakeholders. It will become law only after approval from both the House of Representatives and the National Assembly and certification by the President.
National Road Safety Council proposed
The bill proposes the formation of a National Road Safety Council to develop and implement road safety standards, prevent and reduce road accidents, and coordinate between road and transport-related agencies.
The Infrastructure Development Minister will chair the council. Secretaries from the infrastructure, finance and home ministries, the health ministry, an Additional Inspector General of Police, and a transport expert will be members. The term of the members will be four years.
Government compensation for hit-and-run victims
One of the key provisions is compensation for victims of hit-and-run accidents where the vehicle involved cannot be identified.
If a victim cannot receive compensation because the vehicle responsible for the accident cannot be identified or for other reasons, the bill proposes providing compensation through the National Road Safety Council’s fund.
The council will coordinate with the Nepal Insurance Authority to introduce the necessary insurance procedures for such compensation.
The provision is aimed at supporting victims who currently may be left without compensation when the vehicle involved in a hit-and-run cannot be identified.
Vehicle owners liable for accidents caused by illegal parking
The bill proposes making vehicle owners and drivers responsible for losses caused by accidents involving vehicles parked on the road or in areas where parking is prohibited.
Similarly, individuals or organizations could be required to pay compensation if accidents occur because goods are placed illegally on the road or footpath, or due to other activities that obstruct road use.
Stricter monitoring of vehicle modifications
The proposed law also seeks tighter control over vehicle modifications. Under the bill, the National Road Safety Council could monitor and evaluate vehicle production, imports and body-building activities. Changes made to the original structure or design of a vehicle would also come under its monitoring.
The council would also monitor the design, quality and use of safety equipment such as helmets and seat belts.
Workshops and factories to come under monitoring
The council would also be responsible for monitoring standards for vehicle repair workshops and factories. This would allow authorities to monitor the work carried out on vehicle safety systems during repairs and the quality of materials used.
Transport services could be stopped on unsafe roads
The council could recommend stopping transport services on a road or road section until necessary infrastructure improvements are completed, based on studies and research.
It could also recommend the appropriate type of vehicle for a road based on its geometric and geographical conditions. The relevant transport authority would have to consider such recommendations while issuing route permits and inform the council about the decision.
Road agencies would also be required to quickly repair damaged or deteriorated roads at locations where accidents are frequent or likely to occur. Necessary improvements would have to be made based on road safety assessments.
Separate license standards for public transport drivers
The bill proposes separate standards for professional driving licenses for drivers of public buses and passenger vehicles. The relevant transport authority could be directed to establish separate qualifications and standards for drivers working in public transport.
The proposed provisions also require driving training centers to include road safety in both theoretical and practical training. Road safety would also be included in driving license examinations.
Health and physical fitness checks would be mandatory when renewing driving licenses, while standards for driving tests would also be maintained.
Expert teams to investigate road accidents
The bill also proposes a broader system for investigating road accidents. Under the proposed provision, the National Road Safety Council could form a special study committee to identify the nature and causes of accidents and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The committee would visit accident sites and study the physical condition of the location, road structure, condition of the vehicles and other evidence related to the accident.
