1949 Geneva IDP required
RequiredNepal recognises the 1949 Geneva Convention IDP alongside your UK/EU photocard licence; the 1968 Vienna IDP is not accepted, so UK drivers must get the AA/Post Office 1949 version before travel.
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Country driving guide · 2026
Driving in Nepal
Everything UK and EU drivers need before crossing the border into Nepal: 8 legal requirements + 8 other things worth knowing.
8
Required
3
Recommended
5
Good to know
Tick before you go
Pre-departure checklist for Nepal
8 legal must-haves. Print it, tick them off, throw it in the glovebox.
1949 Geneva IDP required
Nepal recognises the 1949 Geneva Convention IDP alongside your UK/EU photocard licence; the 1968 Vienna IDP is not accepted, so UK drivers must get the AA/Post Office 1949 version before travel.
Passport with 6 months validity and visa
Visa on arrival at Kathmandu (TIA) or land borders costs USD 30/50/125 for 15/30/90 days; carry two passport photos and USD cash.
Foreign-plated vehicles need a carnet
Bringing your own car overland (typically via India) requires a Carnet de Passage en Douane plus a Nepali road permit issued at the border; without a carnet the vehicle will be refused entry.
Third-party insurance mandatory
UK/EU policies and Green Card do not extend to Nepal; buy local third-party motor insurance at the border or in Kathmandu before driving.
Drive on the LEFT
Nepal drives on the left like the UK, so EU visitors must adjust; overtaking is on the right.
Speed limits 80/50/40 km/h
Highways 80 km/h, rural roads 50 km/h, urban areas 40 km/h, and 25 km/h in Kathmandu Valley congested zones; enforcement is patchy but fines are issued at checkpoints.
Zero-tolerance alcohol limit
BAC limit is 0.00 g/L: any detectable alcohol means fines, licence confiscation and possible jail; random breath tests are common in Kathmandu after 8pm.
Monsoon landslides June-September
The monsoon causes frequent landslides and washouts on highways including the Prithvi, Araniko and Tribhuvan; check road status daily and avoid night driving in hill regions.
Documents
Passport with 6 months validity and visa
RequiredVisa on arrival at Kathmandu (TIA) or land borders costs USD 30/50/125 for 15/30/90 days; carry two passport photos and USD cash.
Foreign-plated vehicles need a carnet
RequiredBringing your own car overland (typically via India) requires a Carnet de Passage en Douane plus a Nepali road permit issued at the border; without a carnet the vehicle will be refused entry.
Third-party insurance mandatory
RequiredUK/EU policies and Green Card do not extend to Nepal; buy local third-party motor insurance at the border or in Kathmandu before driving.
Driving rules
Drive on the LEFT
RequiredNepal drives on the left like the UK, so EU visitors must adjust; overtaking is on the right.
Speed limits 80/50/40 km/h
RequiredHighways 80 km/h, rural roads 50 km/h, urban areas 40 km/h, and 25 km/h in Kathmandu Valley congested zones; enforcement is patchy but fines are issued at checkpoints.
Zero-tolerance alcohol limit
RequiredBAC limit is 0.00 g/L: any detectable alcohol means fines, licence confiscation and possible jail; random breath tests are common in Kathmandu after 8pm.
Horn use and chaotic traffic
RecommendedLane discipline is minimal; expect cattle, pedestrians, motorbikes and trucks in all directions, and use the horn to signal presence around blind bends: most foreigners hire a car with driver rather than self-drive.
Emergency number 100 / 103
Good to knowPolice 100, traffic police 103, ambulance 102; response times outside Kathmandu are very slow, and tourist police can assist in English in major hubs.
Tolls
No motorway network or tolls
Good to knowNepal has no motorways; the under-construction Kathmandu–Terai Expressway will be the first tolled road but is not yet open, so no vignette or toll system applies.
Environment
Monsoon landslides June-September
RequiredThe monsoon causes frequent landslides and washouts on highways including the Prithvi, Araniko and Tribhuvan; check road status daily and avoid night driving in hill regions.
Mountain passes and altitude
RecommendedRoads to Mustang, Manang and the Tibet border cross passes above 3,500 m where 4WD and a local permit (TIMS/ACAP/restricted-area) are required; many sections are unpaved.
Required equipment
Spare wheel, jack and first aid
RecommendedNo specific in-car equipment is legally mandated for foreigners, but a spare tyre, tow rope, jerry can of fuel and first-aid kit are essential given remote roads and limited recovery services.
Emissions / low-emission zones
No low-emission zones
Good to knowNepal has no LEZ schemes; however vehicles older than 20 years are banned from Kathmandu Valley and odd/even plate restrictions can apply during pollution spikes.
Money
Nepalese Rupee, fuel ~1.10 EUR/L
Good to knowCurrency is NPR (~145 NPR = 1 EUR); petrol around 150 NPR/L (~1.05 EUR) and diesel ~145 NPR/L, paid in cash at filling stations as card acceptance is rare outside Kathmandu.
Cash declaration and Indian rupees
Good to knowDeclare amounts over USD 5,000 (or equivalent) at customs; Indian INR 500/2000 notes are illegal to bring in, only INR 100 and below are accepted.
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Drive on the LEFT
RequiredNepal drives on the left like the UK, so EU visitors must adjust; overtaking is on the right.
Speed limits 80/50/40 km/h
RequiredHighways 80 km/h, rural roads 50 km/h, urban areas 40 km/h, and 25 km/h in Kathmandu Valley congested zones; enforcement is patchy but fines are issued at checkpoints.
Zero-tolerance alcohol limit
RequiredBAC limit is 0.00 g/L: any detectable alcohol means fines, licence confiscation and possible jail; random breath tests are common in Kathmandu after 8pm.