NepalNepal

Drive on the left. Nepal's Motor Vehicles and Transport Management Act requires vehicles to keep to the left at public places except where otherwise prescribed.

Overtake on the right. The Act also provides for signalling between the vehicles before the overtaking manoeuvre.

Call 100 for Nepal Police and 103 for Traffic Police. 102 is used for Ambulance Nepal where that ambulance service is available; ambulance coverage and dispatch arrangements can vary by area.

Nepal's current federal law does not state a simple numerical BAC limit. Drink-driving is prohibited, so the practical rule is to avoid alcohol completely before driving rather than treating the absence of a BAC number as an allowance to drink.

Nepal does not have one simple nationwide set of urban, rural and motorway default speeds in the current federal Act. The competent authority may set maximum speeds for particular public places and must indicate them by notice or traffic sign.

Follow the posted maximum-speed signs and any temporary or locally imposed restrictions. The applicable limit can vary by road or place rather than simply by whether you are inside or outside a built-up area.

No nationwide vignette is required. Roads Board Nepal instead collects tolls on selected roads and facilities. N_TAG electronic toll collection has been introduced progressively, but it should not be assumed that every toll facility uses the same payment arrangement.

The federal Act requires the driver and front-seat passenger to use seat belts in vehicles to which the requirement applies. Its current wording does not impose the same blanket requirement on every rear-seat passenger, although occupants should use fitted seat belts for safety.

Nepal currently has no universal federal age- or height-based child-restraint threshold comparable with the systems used in many European countries. Nepal Traffic Police advises that children should travel in the rear seats; using an appropriate child restraint for the child's size remains the safer practice.

Yes. Both the motorcycle rider and pillion passenger must wear helmets.

Nepal Traffic Police instructs motorcyclists not to carry more than one pillion passenger. The passenger should sit properly on the designated seat and use the footrests.

Nepal Traffic Police instructs drivers not to use a mobile phone while driving. If you need to make a call, move safely to the left and stop before using the phone.

There is no general federal requirement for all vehicles to use headlights throughout the daytime in the current Act. Traffic Police nevertheless notes that a motorcycle's dipped headlight can improve its visibility during daylight.

Vehicle lights must be used at night and during fog. Drivers should also use appropriate lighting whenever poor weather or visibility makes it necessary to be seen clearly.

Use the horn only when reasonably necessary and obey any No Use of Horn signs or local no-horn restrictions. Nepal Traffic Police's guidance is to use the horn with reason rather than routinely.

Nepal Traffic Police guidance tells drivers to give way to traffic coming from the right. Traffic lights, police directions, priority signs and other junction controls take precedence where present.

Follow the signs and road markings at the individual roundabout. Where an approach is controlled by a Give Way sign, entering traffic must yield accordingly rather than forcing its way onto the roundabout.

Yes. The Act requires drivers to stop when pedestrians are crossing at a zebra crossing, and Nepal Traffic Police instructs drivers to stop before the crossing and give pedestrians priority.

Red means stop behind the stop line or crossing, amber means stop if you can do so safely before entering, and green permits you to proceed with care. A flashing red signal requires a complete stop before proceeding when safe, while flashing amber means proceed cautiously.

Use designated parking places where they have been established. The Act prohibits parking where a vehicle would create danger, obstruction or inconvenience to other traffic or road users.

Move the disabled vehicle to the left side of the road as far as practicable. At night, a red lamp or reflector must be positioned so that approaching traffic can see the stationary vehicle.

A driver must be able to produce a valid driving licence when requested. Vehicle registration documents and, where applicable, the route permit for a public-service vehicle must also be available for inspection.

Nepal's Act recognises an international driving licence for the vehicle categories specified in it. An ordinary foreign domestic licence is treated differently: the Act provides a procedure under which its holder may apply for a Nepalese licence without undergoing the normal driving examination.

Yes. The Act provides for compulsory motor-vehicle insurance and specifically requires third-party insurance as prescribed.

Stop and take appropriate action. Where someone is injured, the driver must arrange immediate medical treatment, and if police are not already present, the accident must be reported to the nearest police office as required by the Act.

Yes. The Act prohibits driving a vehicle that is in bad condition. Drivers should pay particular attention to brakes, tyres, lights and other safety-critical components before long or mountainous journeys.

Heavy monsoon rain can cause landslides, flooding, falling debris and sudden road closures, particularly on hill and mountain routes. Check the Department of Roads' current road-status information before a long journey and obey closure instructions on the ground.

Many direction signs use Nepali and English. Nepal's Department of Roads traffic-sign standards contain lettering and layouts for both languages, while internationally recognisable symbols are widely used for regulatory and warning signs.