Self-Drive Car Rental Requirements in Nepal for Tourists

What Nepal law says about driving licences

Nepal law requires a person driving a vehicle to hold a driving licence. The licence must cover the relevant vehicle category, and the law sets 18 as the minimum age for a small-vehicle driving licence.

An International Driving Permit or International Driving Licence is recognised for driving in Nepal. The official sources do not establish that every foreign licence alone is always sufficient, so travellers should carry the documents required by their rental provider and confirm acceptance before travel.

EV Drive Nepal rental requirements

The following are EV Drive Nepal's rental requirements. They are company policy and should not be read as a statement of Nepal's statutory minimums.

• Minimum renter age: 25 years.
• Minimum driving experience: the renter must have held an appropriate driving licence for at least two years.
• Foreign renters must provide an original valid home-country driving licence, an International Driving Permit, a passport copy and a visa copy.
• Nepali renters must provide a valid Nepali driving licence covering the appropriate vehicle category.
• Only the renter named in the rental agreement may drive the vehicle.

Documents for foreign renters

Digital licence copies may be used during enquiry and pre-verification only. The original required driving documents must be presented at handover. A foreign licence alone should not be assumed to meet EV Drive Nepal's rental requirements.

Route approval and travel restrictions

Disclose your intended route before the rental is approved. EV Drive Nepal assesses the route, road conditions, vehicle suitability and rental terms, and the agreed route should be recorded in the rental agreement. If you want to change route after pickup, contact EV Drive Nepal first. Approval is required, and additional charges or different rental conditions may apply depending on the route.

Security deposit and damage responsibility

The security deposit is normally NPR 50,000. The renter is responsible for damage costs up to NPR 30,000. For larger eligible damage claims, insurance is used, with NPR 30,000 treated as the renter's minimum excess or liability, subject to the rental agreement and the insurer's claim terms. Insurance should not be understood as covering every type of damage automatically.

Unlimited kilometres

EV Drive Nepal's rental policy provides unlimited kilometres. That does not remove the obligation to follow the approved route, rental agreement and any vehicle-suitability conditions.

What to bring at handover

• Foreign renters: original home-country driving licence, International Driving Permit, passport copy, visa copy, security deposit, confirmed route and signed rental agreement.
• Nepali renters: valid Nepali driving licence, required identification, security deposit, confirmed route and signed rental agreement.

Frequently asked questions

Can tourists rent a self-drive car in Nepal? They may be able to when they meet both the applicable legal requirements and EV Drive Nepal's verification requirements.

Do I need an IDP? EV Drive Nepal requires foreign renters to provide an International Driving Permit together with their original home-country licence.

Can I use only my foreign licence? Do not assume so. EV Drive Nepal requires the original licence and an IDP for foreign renters.

What is the minimum age and experience? EV Drive Nepal requires renters to be at least 25 and to have held an appropriate licence for at least two years.

Can someone else drive? No. Only the renter named in the rental agreement may drive.

Can I change my route after pickup? Contact EV Drive Nepal and obtain approval first; conditions or pricing may change depending on the route.

Are kilometres unlimited? Yes, subject to the approved route and rental agreement.

Is a digital driving licence copy enough? No. Digital copies are for enquiry and pre-verification only; originals are required at handover.