International Driving Permit Nepal (NASA): 2026 Guide to Documents, Fees, Validity and Process
Updated September 2026 · For Nepali licence holders driving abroad and foreigners driving in Nepal
Planning to drive in Dubai, Malaysia, Australia or Europe with your Nepali licence? Or a traveller hoping to ride a motorbike from Pokhara to Mustang? Either way, the document you keep hearing about is the International Driving Permit (IDP). In Nepal it is handled by NASA — the Nepal Automobiles’ Association, not the space agency and not the Department of Transport Management.
The problem is that almost every guide online gives a different fee, a different validity and even a different office. This article cuts through that: what NASA actually is, what you need to bring, how the process works, why the published fees disagree so much, and one important convention issue that most Nepali guides get wrong.
Quick answer
To get an International Driving Permit in Nepal, you need a valid Nepali smart-card driving licence, your passport, passport-size photos and the fee. You apply at NASA Nepal (Nepal Automobiles’ Association), Satdobato, Lalitpur. The IDP only covers the vehicle categories already on your licence, it is useless without your original licence, and it can never stay valid longer than that licence. Call NASA on 01-5915470 to confirm today’s fee before you go.
Key facts at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Issuer in Nepal | NASA Nepal (Nepal Automobiles’ Association) |
| Office | Satdobato, Lalitpur (International Sports Complex area) |
| Phone | +977-01-5915470 |
| Who can apply | Holders of a valid (not expired, not suspended) Nepali driving licence, 18+ |
| Main documents | Licence (original + copy), passport copy, photos, application form |
| Validity | Usually 1 year (some guides report 1–3 years); never beyond your licence expiry |
| Fee | Not published by NASA online; reported figures range widely (see fee section) |
| Test required? | No. The IDP is a translation of your existing licence |
What an International Driving Permit actually is
An IDP is a small booklet that translates your driving licence into several languages in a standard format, so a traffic officer or rental desk in another country can read it. It is not a separate licence and it gives you no new rights.
- It is a companion document. Always carry it together with your original Nepali licence. Alone, it is worthless.
- It copies your categories. If your licence covers only motorcycles (Category A), your IDP will not let you drive a car abroad.
- It is temporary. It expires on its own date or on your licence’s expiry, whichever comes first.
- It does not replace a local licence for residents. Many countries let visitors use an IDP but require people who move there for work to convert or obtain a local licence.
If you are still waiting for your smart card, sort that out first. Our guide to checking your Nepal driving licence print status explains how to track it.
Who issues the IDP in Nepal: NASA, not DoTM
The single most common mistake is going to a transport office (Yatayat Karyalaya) for an IDP. The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) issues your national licence. The IDP comes from Nepal’s national automobile club.
NASA Nepal
Nepal Automobiles’ Association
- Issues the International Driving Permit
- Also supports the Carnet de Passages for taking a vehicle across borders
- Member of FIA, FIM and AIT, the global motoring bodies
- Office: Satdobato, Lalitpur
DoTM
Department of Transport Management
- Issues and renews your Nepali smart-card licence
- Runs written and trial tests
- Handles licences for foreigners staying long-term
- Does not currently issue IDPs (see the proposed law below)
Still need the national licence itself? See our step-by-step guide to applying for a driving licence online in Nepal through eDLVRS.
Why is NASA called a “sports” association?
NASA was registered on 4 June 2008 as the Nepal Automobiles Sports Association (registration number 70), which is why people search for “Nepal Automobile Sports Association IDP.” Today it goes by Nepal Automobiles’ Association and works across motorsport, drive tourism, road safety and mobility. In 2019 it also joined the International Road Transport Union (IRU), which described NASA as supporting the International Driving Permit and the Carnet de Passages. Same organisation, same office — the older name simply stuck.
A proposed law could let DoTM issue IDPs
Something none of the top-ranking guides mention: the draft motor vehicle and transport management bill reported in Nepali media included a clause allowing the Department of Transport Management itself to issue International Driving Permits to Nepali citizens with a valid licence, with details to be set by regulation. As of this update, NASA remains the office people use. If the law passes and DoTM starts issuing IDPs, we will update this guide.
Eligibility: who can apply
- You hold a valid Nepali driving licence — the smart card, not a trial receipt or learner document.
- The licence is not expired or suspended. If it is close to expiry, renew your driving licence online first, because the IDP cannot outlast it.
- You are 18 or older.
- You have a passport (the IDP is for international travel, and your name must match your passport spelling).
Documents checklist
Bring originals and at least one photocopy of each. Requirements are not published on NASA’s website, so treat this as the commonly reported list and confirm by phone.
Original + photocopy of both sides
Original + copy of the details page
Recent, 2–4 copies (carry extra)
Useful backup ID if asked
Filled at the NASA office
Confirm amount and payment method first
Step-by-step: how to get an IDP from NASA
- Check your licence. Look at the expiry date and the categories printed on the card. If renewal is due within the year, renew first so your IDP gets the full validity.
- Call NASA on 01-5915470. Ask three things: the current fee, whether the permit is issued the same day, and whether they want a passport copy or citizenship copy.
- Visit the office in Satdobato, Lalitpur with the documents above. Go in the morning on a working day; public holidays and festival weeks slow everything down.
- Fill in the application and pay. Keep the receipt.
- Check the booklet before leaving. Your name must match your passport exactly, the categories must match your licence, and the photo must be stamped. A spelling mismatch can cause problems at a rental counter abroad.
How long does it take? Reports vary from same-day issuance to 3–7 working days. If you fly within a week, tell the office your travel date when you call.
IDP fee in Nepal: why every website shows a different number
NASA does not publish its IDP fee online, so blogs copy figures from each other. The chart below shows how far apart the published ranges are. This is the biggest gap in current search results — readers get a number without knowing that nobody has an official source for it.
Reported IDP cost ranges in Nepali guides (NPR)
Figures are as reported by third-party Nepali guides in 2025–2026, not official NASA rates.
Why the gap? The likely reasons are:
- Old versus new rates. The low figures appear in older, copied content.
- Validity length. Higher figures are tied to one- to three-year permits and physical versus digital copies.
- Agent markups. Some quotes include an agent’s service charge on top of NASA’s fee.
Bottom line: budget for the higher range, call NASA before you go, and pay only at the NASA office against an official receipt.
Validity: your IDP can never outlive your licence
This diagram shows the rule that catches people out. Suppose your Nepali licence expires in eight months. Even if the IDP is printed as a one-year permit, it is only usable until the licence expires.
Renew the licence first, then apply for the IDP, to get the full validity you pay for.
The convention issue most Nepali guides get wrong
IDPs are governed by international road traffic treaties — mainly the 1949 Geneva Convention and the 1968 Vienna Convention. Several blogs claim Nepal is a party to the 1949 Geneva Convention. However, Nepal does not appear on the current list of contracting parties to that convention, which has around 100 member states.
Why this matters for you
Some countries only accept IDPs issued by fellow convention members. Japan, for example, recognises only 1949 Geneva-format permits. A NASA-issued IDP is widely used for rentals and police checks, but acceptance depends on the destination country’s own rules. Before you fly, check the embassy website of your destination country or ask your rental company in writing whether a Nepal-issued IDP is accepted.
What to check for popular destinations
| Your situation | What to confirm before travel |
|---|---|
| Tourist renting a car abroad | Rental company’s written policy on Nepal-issued IDPs |
| Going for work (Gulf, Malaysia, Korea) | Whether residents must convert to a local licence, and how long an IDP is allowed |
| Student in Australia, UK or Europe | Whether an English-language licence alone is accepted, and time limits for visitors |
| Travelling to Japan | Japan accepts only 1949 Geneva-format IDPs; confirm eligibility first |
| Driving your own vehicle across the border | Carnet de Passages or border permits, insurance valid in that country, and an up-to-date bluebook (check vehicle tax and bluebook renewal) |
Foreigners driving in Nepal: what you need
If you are visiting Nepal, you cannot get your IDP from NASA — it is issued against a Nepali licence. Get your IDP in your home country before you travel (for example through the national automobile association there).
- Short visits: carry your home licence plus an IDP. Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police have stated that drivers with only a foreign licence and no IDP are treated as unlicensed.
- Minimum age: 18.
- Motorbike rentals: make sure your IDP covers motorcycles, not just cars. Riding outside your category can also void travel insurance.
- Long stays: expats usually move to a Nepali licence through the Department of Transport Management.
Genuine IDP vs “online international driving licence” sites
Search for this topic and you will see ads for “international driving licences” delivered by email in minutes for USD 49–79. These are private translation documents, not permits issued by a national automobile association under a UN convention.
| Feature | NASA IDP | Online “IDL” sites |
|---|---|---|
| Issued by | Nepal’s national automobile club | Private companies |
| Format | Physical booklet, stamped | Mostly PDF or printed card |
| Validity claims | Tied to your licence | Often 1–10 years, regardless of licence |
| Police acceptance | Standard route | Risky; may be treated as no permit |
Red flag: any site offering an IDP that is valid longer than your own licence, or that does not require your original licence, is not giving you a genuine permit.
Practical tips before you visit NASA
- Match your name spelling across licence, passport and IDP. Rental systems abroad compare them.
- Apply 2–3 weeks before travel, not the day before your flight.
- Scan everything — licence, IDP and passport — and keep copies in your email.
- Learn the destination’s road rules. Nepal drives on the left; the Gulf, Korea, Europe and North America drive on the right.
- Check insurance. Rental insurance can be void if your permit is not accepted locally.
- Living abroad long-term? Nepalis settling overseas may also want an NRN card alongside their driving paperwork.
Common mistakes to avoid
DoTM issues licences, not IDPs.
The IDP is invalid without it.
A bike licence gives a bike-only IDP.
Workers often need a local licence.
Frequently asked questions
What does NASA stand for in the context of driving permits in Nepal?
NASA stands for the Nepal Automobiles’ Association, originally registered in 2008 as the Nepal Automobiles Sports Association. It is Nepal’s national automobile club and the body that issues International Driving Permits.
Where is the NASA office for an International Driving Permit?
NASA’s listed office is at Satdobato, Lalitpur, near the International Sports Complex. Its phone number is +977-01-5915470. Call before visiting to confirm hours and fees.
How much does an International Driving Permit cost in Nepal?
NASA does not publish the fee online, and third-party guides report anywhere from about NPR 1,000 to NPR 11,600 depending on validity and source. Confirm the current fee with NASA directly and pay only at the office.
How long is a Nepali IDP valid?
Typically one year, though some sources report one- to three-year options. It is never valid beyond the expiry date of your Nepali licence.
Can I get an International Driving Permit from DoTM?
Not at present. DoTM issues the national smart-card licence. A proposed transport bill would allow DoTM to issue IDPs in future, but until that is in force, apply through NASA.
Can I apply for a Nepali IDP online?
NASA does not offer an online IDP application on its website. Websites selling instant online “international driving licences” are private services and are not the same as a NASA-issued permit.
Can foreigners get an IDP from NASA Nepal?
No. An IDP is issued by the country that issued your licence. Visitors should get one from their home country before travelling and carry it with their original licence while driving in Nepal.
Is a Nepal-issued IDP accepted in every country?
Not automatically. Acceptance depends on each country’s rules, and some only recognise permits under specific conventions. Check the destination’s embassy or your rental company before you travel.
Final word
Getting an International Driving Permit in Nepal is simple once you know where to go: a valid smart-card licence, your passport, photos and a visit to NASA in Satdobato. The parts that trip people up are the ones most guides skip — the unpublished fee, the rule that the IDP dies with your licence, and whether your destination country actually accepts a Nepal-issued permit. Sort those three out before you pay, and you will not be stuck at a rental counter abroad.