How to Get an International Driving License in Nepal 2026

If you are planning to drive abroad in 2026, obtaining an International Driving Permit (IDP) can make it easier for you by providing a standardized translation of your valid Nepalese driving licence. To obtain an IDP in Nepal, you must understand the current requirements, document needs, applicable fees, and the procedure of the authorized issuing authority. Moreover, it is also important to know where to apply so that you can complete the process correctly and without unnecessary delays.

In this blog, we provide information about what an International Driving License means, eligibility to acquire an IDP, documents required to obtain an IDP, step-wise process to acquire an IDP, IDP cost in Nepal and common mistakes to avoid.

What is an International Driving License?

The international driving license, officially called an International Driving Permit (IDP), is a document that translates the information on your valid license into multiple languages. This license helps you drive or rent vehicles legally in more than 150 foreign countries. It is officially governed and regulated by United Nations conventions on road traffic. The main purpose of issuing an IDP to people is to convert your domestic driver’s license into multiple languages so that the international police, officials, and car rental agencies can conveniently understand and validate your driving credentials. It is valid for 1 year (under the 1949 Convention) or up to 3 years (under the 1968 Convention). The International driving license is issued by NASA (Nepal Automobiles Association).

Who Can Apply for an International Driving Permit in Nepal?

An International Driving Permit is one of the most essential documents that you must have if you want to drive legally in foreign countries. It not only allows the recognition of the domestic driving license in more than 150 foreign countries, but also provides a translation of the driving license information in the standardized format. Some of the requirements that need to be fulfilled in order to obtain International driving license in Nepal are given below:

License: Anyone who already has a valid smart card driving license can apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP) in Nepal.
Age: A person must be at least 18 years old to apply and obtain the International Driving Permit (IDP) in Nepal.
License status: Your national driving license must not be suspended or expired to obtain an International driving license in Nepal.

Documents Required for Obtaining an International Driving Permit in Nepal

In order to get an international driving license in Nepal, you need to present various documents to NASA (Nepal Automobiles Association). These documents assist in identification of the applicant as well as their eligibility for the IDP. You should ensure that all the documents are valid and up to date to make the whole application process easy. Below are the key documents you should have to obtain an IDP.

Valid Nepali Driving License: The candidate should have the original smart driving license card along with the photocopied document. This should not be a learner’s permit or a temporary driving license.
Proof of Identity: Applicants must have the original passport or citizenship certificate along with a photocopy of the document.
Photographs: It is a must to bring at least two to four recent passport-sized photographs.
Application Form: You should bring a filled and signed IDP application form from the issuing agency.
Fee Receipt: The applicants should provide a receipt for the prescribed administrative fee which should be confirmed with NASA prior to making any payments.
Valid Visa: A copy of a valid visa in case you are applying or coordinating through passport identity.

How to Get an International Driving License in Nepal: Step-by-Step Guide

To obtain an international driving permit (IDP), there are some basic and simple steps that are needed to be followed by driving license holder candidates. Knowing each step involved in the process from preparing documents to submitting the application and receiving the permit allows the candidate to successfully get the permit on time without any issues. The following are the steps for obtaining an IDP in Nepal.

Prepare Your Documents: Prior to visiting the NASA, you must prepare an original copy along with the copies of several documents including the Nepalese driving license, passport or citizenship card.
Visit the Authorized Office: After preparing all the documents correctly, you can go to visit the official office of the Nepal Automobiles Association (NASA) while carrying those documents.
Complete the Application: On arrival at NASA, discuss the International Driving License with the personnel there. After that, they will give you the IDP application form which you have to fill up with your personal as well as travel details.
Submit and Verify: Once you have completed the application form, you need to submit it along with your license and photographs for verification.
Pay the Fee: After your application form is verified with your original license and recently captured photos, the staff of NASA will tell you to pay the amount. Then, you have to pay the fee. Do note that you verify the amount with NASA before paying the fee.
Collect Your Permit: Once you pay the fee and show them the receipt, you are provided with a booklet-style IDP that serves as an official translation of your valid Nepali driving licence. You can receive this permit on the same day (within a few hours) or within 3 to 7 working days.

International Driving Permit Cost in Nepal in 2026

As an International driving license is a document that lets you drive in more than 150 foreign countries, you need to pay some amount of fee to obtain it. The fee for obtaining an International Driving Permit (IDP) in Nepal may vary depending on the validity period and the specific processing or service fees. In 2026, you need to check the current fee that is charged by NASA as fees could change over time. Having an idea in advance about the IDP costs will be helpful in budgeting and applying for the document smoothly. Below are the costs to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) in Nepal.

The cost for obtaining an IDP for 1-year of validity is around NPR 9,600.
The fees charged by NASA for getting an IDP for 3-year of validity is around NPR 11,600.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Obtaining an International Driving Permit (IDP)

Obtaining an International Driving Permit (IDP) requires you to follow certain procedures and provide the necessary documents. While following procedures and preparing necessary documents, you need to be very careful, as small mistakes can cause delays, additional expenses, or problems when you try to use the permit abroad. Below are some of the mistakes that you need to avoid when applying for an IDP for Nepal.

Applying for the IDP Without a Valid Nepalese Driving Licence

Providing Incorrect Information About Yourself
submitting Expired and Inconsistent Documents
Thinking That IDP is Legal Everywhere
Buying Your IDP from an Unauthorized Site
Applying for IDP at the Last Hour
Selecting the Wrong Vehicle Category
Not Going Over Your IDP After Getting It
Overlooking The Rental Car Requirements
Not Checking for Updates on the IDP Fee and Process

Conclusion

Getting an International Driving Permit (IDP) in Nepal in 2026 is an important step for Nepalese licence holders planning to drive in foreign countries. By ensuring that your domestic driver’s license is valid, organizing the necessary paperwork (driver’s license, photos, and identification), applying in the right way, and knowing the current fees and requirements, you can avoid unnecessary delays. It is also important to check whether your destination country applies IDP that is obtained from Nepal or not and understand its local driving regulations or not. IDP generally works alongside your original Nepalese driving licence rather than replacing it. By doing proper preparation, you can ensure a smoother and more confident driving experience abroad.

In this blog, we provided information about what an International Driving License means, eligibility to acquire an IDP, documents required to obtain an IDP, step-wise process to acquire an IDP, IDP cost in Nepal and common mistakes to avoid. For further information regarding driving, do check out some other blogs. If you are in search of the best driving school in Kathmandu, contact Creation Driving School – one of the best driving centers in Kathmandu.

FAQs on International Driving License

How Long Does It Take to Get an IDP?

You can obtain an International Driving license within a few hours or between 3 to 7 working days depending on circumstances. However, if you choose alternatives like online or third-party, you can receive it within 24 hours.

How Long Is an International Driving Permit Valid?

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is valid for a period of one to three years. It depends on the particular international convention (1949 Convention IDP for 1 year and 1968 Convention IDP for 3 years) and the regulations of your home country.

Which Countries Accept the Nepal IDP?

Many Europe, Americas, Asia, Middle east and Oceania countries accept the IDPs issued by Nepal. Over 150 countries, including the USA, UK, Australia, Canada, Germany, UAE, India and China, accept Nepal’s IDP.