DoTM alone issues over 3.5 lakh 'smart' driving licences

KATHMANDU: The number of recipients of 'smart' driving licences from Ekantakuna-based Department of Transport Management (DoTM) has surpassed 350,000.

The DoTM has issued smart licences to 354,000 people in the period of past four years while 203,000 are still in queue to obtain the electronic certificate.

The office had started the issuing the driving licences four years ago until last year. The service was available only from the DoTM. But now all the transport offices across the country issue the smart licences.

Any individual passing the written exam for acquiring a driving licence and successfully completing the 'trial' is eligible to receive the smart cards. So far, 557,000 including both new and renewed services have paid the revenue, seeking smart cards.

Though the Department is now facing relatively less flow of service seekers than in the past, more people than in other places visit the DoTM seeking service.

However, printing of all smart cards to be issued by all transport offices takes place in the DoTM. Section Officer at the department, Ramesh Poudel said lack of sufficient number of equipment to print cards has caused difficulty providing cards in time.

Currently, the department has been frequently dealing with those eligible candidates waiting for long over a year to get 'smart' cards after paying the charge.

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