As private vehicle ownership continues to surge in Nepal, the government is preparing to introduce new regulations that would prohibit the import of vehicles manufactured more than one year prior to their entry into the country. The proposed rule is part of a broader draft directive titled “Vehicle Import, Production, and Assembly Guidelines 2025,” developed by the Department of Transport Management.

Currently, there is no restriction on the age of imported vehicles in Nepal, allowing importers to bring in cars manufactured several years earlier. Under the new framework, import permits will only be granted for vehicles less than one year old based on their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The measure aims to modernise Nepal’s vehicle fleet, reduce pollution, and discourage the influx of outdated automobiles.

Exemptions to the proposed rule have been outlined. Diplomatic personnel and agencies with special privileges will be allowed to import older vehicles for personal use, provided those vehicles meet national emission standards. Such imports will require a recommendation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and approval from the Department of Transport.

Similarly, international construction firms operating in Nepal will be permitted to bring in older vehicles or machinery for exclusive use in development projects. These imports will require a recommendation from the Ministry of Finance. However, once the designated project is complete, the imported vehicles must be re-exported to their country of origin.

The draft directive also introduces specific technical standards for electric vehicles (EVs), including minimum ground clearance, battery life, motor power ratio, driving range, and requirements for battery management and charging infrastructure. Two-and three-wheeler EVs imported from abroad must have a minimum range of 100 kilometers.

For vehicles assembled in Nepal, the government plans to allow technical testing in foreign laboratories at the expense of the manufacturer. To obtain approval for overseas testing, applicants must submit detailed documentation including the full name and address of the testing facility, contact information, names and titles of key personnel, and evidence that the facility is certified to conduct ‘type approval and conformity’ tests.

Applicants will also be required to provide a list of vehicle models tested by the lab over the past two years and a quotation of applicable testing fees. If the submitted documentation confirms the facility’s competence, the Department will authorise the manufacturer to carry out the required testing abroad.

All test results must be submitted both electronically and physically to the Department of Transport Management directly by the accredited foreign laboratory.