Travel alerts & warnings
Nepal driving guide.
Driving in Nepal means busy urban traffic, narrow mountain roads and journey times that are often much longer than distances suggest. Expect motorcycles, pedestrians and livestock on the road, with landslides and washouts making monsoon travel especially unpredictable.
- Advisory
- Increased caution
- Drives on
- Left
- Best season
- October to November…
- Permit honored
- Yes
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Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased cautionin Nepal due to natural disasters. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
- Nepal regularly experiences earthquakes, floods, and landslides. Earthquakes can happen suddenly with little warning, including in the Kathmandu Valley.
- During the monsoon season from June to September, heavy rain can cause flash floods and landslides. These can block roads, damage buildings, and make it hard to get help in an emergency.
- Review our information on Weather and Natural Disasters in Nepal.
- Emergency services
- Medical services have limited ability to handle regular and emergency care. Review the Health section of the Travel Guidance on this page for more information.
- Hospitals in Kathmandu are usually better than in other areas, but they can be crowded, may lack some equipment or medicines, and often ask that you pay before treatment. Medical treatment of foreigners is not paid for by the Government of Nepal.
Driving there
Your permit in Nepal
- Nepal honors the International Driving Permit. The permit is a translation of your license into ten languages — it is not a license on its own.
- Carry your valid U.S. driver's license with the permit at all times. The permit is valid for one year and only while your U.S. license is valid.
- Not party to the 1949 convention; the International Driving Permit is honored.
- Rental companies and local police can be stricter than national law. Confirm the requirement with your rental company before you travel.
Advisory information is published by the U.S. Department of State and reproduced here for convenience. It can change at any time — always check the official advisory before you travel. USIDA does not issue travel advisories.
Before you drive
Top travel tips for Nepal
Road rules and mountain safety
Wear seat belts, never drink and drive, and avoid overtaking on blind bends. Give large vehicles room on narrow mountain sections; avoid night driving outside cities because lighting, barriers and lane markings can be poor.
Tolls and local charges
Some highway sections collect tolls, so keep small-denomination Nepali rupees handy. Ask your rental provider which charges apply to your route, and distinguish road tolls from parking, heritage-site admission and national-park entry charges.
Fuel outside major towns
Petrol and diesel are readily found around Kathmandu, Pokhara and larger Terai towns, but mountain routes have fewer dependable stations. Refill before remote stretches, carry cash and confirm the correct fuel; supply disruptions can occasionally cause queues or shortages.
Speed limits and enforcement
Follow posted limits and police directions rather than assuming a nationwide highway speed. Kathmandu Valley and major highways have speed enforcement; on winding roads, through settlements and near landslide debris, safe speeds may be far below the posted maximum.
Rentals, licences and police checks
Self-drive rentals are uncommon compared with cars supplied with drivers. Before booking, verify foreign-licence and IDP recognition with Nepal’s Department of Transport Management and confirm insurance coverage in writing; an IDP alone is not a licence. Carry your original home licence, IDP, passport, rental agreement and vehicle registration and insurance papers for checks.
Worth the drive
Places to see in Nepal
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Bhaktapur, Bagmati Province · About 45–90 minutes from central Kathmandu.
Historic Newar squares, temples and pottery workshops; park outside the pedestrian heritage area.
Nagarkot
Bhaktapur District, Bagmati Province · About 1.5–2.5 hours from central Kathmandu.
A hilltop escape with Himalayan panoramas when skies are clear; approach roads are winding.
Bandipur
Tanahun, Gandaki Province · About 3–4 hours from Pokhara.
A preserved hilltop bazaar with traditional architecture and mountain views; leave the car outside the pedestrian centre.
Sarangkot
Kaski, Gandaki Province · About 30–45 minutes from Pokhara’s Lakeside area.
Elevated views of the Annapurna range and Pokhara Valley, especially in clear early-morning weather.
Sauraha and Chitwan National Park
Chitwan, Bagmati Province · About 45–75 minutes from Bharatpur to Sauraha.
A convenient base for guided wildlife excursions; ordinary rental cars cannot independently tour the park’s safari tracks.
Lumbini
Rupandehi, Lumbini Province · About 40–60 minutes from Bhairahawa; allow extra time for fog in winter.
The Buddha’s birthplace, with the Maya Devi Temple and an extensive international monastery zone.
Heading to Nepal?
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