Does Indian require International driving license to ride in Nepal?

P

Prateek Sharma

Namaste, I am from India and currently planning a 10-day motorbike ride in Nepal. I have a few questions regarding the rental process, as I’ve contacted a few motorbike rental companies in Kathmandu but I’m still a bit confused. Could you please help me with the following queries:

- Is it mandatory to have an International Driving Permit (IDP) for indians to rent and ride a motorcycle in Nepal?
- I have a valid Indian motorcycle driving license. Will that be accepted for renting or riding nepali Number motorbike in Nepal?
- I do have the option to bring my own bike from India, but the process seems quite complex. So, I would prefer renting a bike in Nepal. Could you please let me know the possibilities and what documents are required?
- What is the permit cost for upper mustang if we are going on motorbike?

Looking forward to your guidance.
Thank you!
 
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Santosh

Santosh

Staff member
Knowledge Contributor
  • Yes international driving license is mandatory to ride motorcycles/car in Nepal.
  • To rent a motorcycle here, you will need a valid passport, driving license (international).
  • Permit for upper mustang is ~550USD (ACA permit and restricted area permit). You will need a guide and at least two person to get a permit.
 
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CityMotorbike

CityMotorbike

Promoter
Hello Mr. Pratik,
Yes for every indian must have a international driving license without international driving permit is not allow to ride a Nepali bikes. And for permit is cost 550usd for uppermustang.
 
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K

Krush

Guest

Motorbike Rental Document Checklist – For Indian Citizens​

Before you rent a motorbike in Nepal, make sure you have the following:

1. Passport with valid Nepal visa​

  • Even Indian citizens (visa-exempt) should carry a passport or ID proof.
  • Some rental shops may still prefer a passport for recordkeeping.

2. Indian Motorcycle Driving License​

  • Must be a valid, unrestricted two-wheeler license (printed in English or with English translation).
  • Should match the category of bike you’re renting (e.g., 350cc+).

3. International Driving Permit (IDP)​

  • Mandatory for legal riding under Nepali law.
  • Available at your local RTO in India before departure

4. Passport-size photos​

  • Useful for permit applications, rental forms, and SIM card registration.

5. Security deposit / Copy of document​

  • Most motorbike rental agency will either:
    • Take a cash deposit (USD $100–$300 or NPR equivalent), or
    • Keep a copy of your passport/license.
  • Some may ask for a local guarantor letter (especially for higher-end bikes).
FAQ
IDP NeededYes, mandatory.
Indian license alone?Not legally accepted
Required docs for renting?Passport, visa, Indian license + IDP, deposit/guarantor, photo
Upper Mustang permit cost?USD 500 for 10 days + USD 50/day extra; plus USD 20–23 for ACAP; guide and min. two riders required
 
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lovingheart

lovingheart

We would like to ++add relatively close food question here.

Are there good Vegetarian/Vegan Restaurant near Thamel?​

Absolutely! Kathmandu and Pokhara have plenty of vegetarian-friendly spots like OR2K, Forest & Plate, and AM/PM Cafe.

Ours is Loving Heart Vegan Restaurant, "Pure vegan food for health and happiness."
- located in Chaksibari Marg (Opp. 10X Club), Thanel Kathmandu, Nepal

Location MAP | Vegan Menu​

You are most welcome.
 
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CityMotorbike

CityMotorbike

Promoter
Krush said:

Motorbike Rental Document Checklist – For Indian Citizens​

Before you rent a motorbike in Nepal, make sure you have the following:

1. Passport with valid Nepal visa​

  • Even Indian citizens (visa-exempt) should carry a passport or ID proof.
  • Some rental shops may still prefer a passport for recordkeeping.


2. Indian Motorcycle Driving License​

  • Must be a valid, unrestricted two-wheeler license (printed in English or with English translation).
  • Should match the category of bike you’re renting (e.g., 350cc+).


3. International Driving Permit (IDP)​

  • Mandatory for legal riding under Nepali law.
  • Available at your local RTO in India before departure.


4. Passport-size photos​

  • Useful for permit applications, rental forms, and SIM card registration.


5. Security deposit / Copy of document​

  • Most motorbike rental agency will either:
    • Take a cash deposit (USD $100–$300 or NPR equivalent), or
    • Keep a copy of your passport/license.
  • Some may ask for a local guarantor letter (especially for higher-end bikes).

​

FAQ
IDP NeededYes, mandatory.
Indian license alone?Not legally accepted
Required docs for renting?Passport, visa, Indian license + IDP, deposit/guarantor, photo
Upper Mustang permit cost?USD 500 for 10 days + USD 50/day extra; plus USD 20–23 for ACAP; guide and min. two riders required
Click to expand...
agree with this!
 
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A

Adventure Tour Guide

Guest

Upper or Lower Mustang Permit for Indian Nationals.​

For Indian nationals, Mustang or Muktinath tour requires necessary permits either for trekking, motorbiking or jeep tours.

Upper Mustang:​

A special permit is required, costing USD 500 for the first 10 days and USD 50 per extra day. Indian citizens also need the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit, which costs NPR 1000.

The Permit cost for the Indian is similar to other foreign nationals.

Lower Mustang:​

While Lower Mustang doesn't require a special permit like Upper Mustang, the ACAP permit is still necessary.
Travelers are advised to obtain their permits for Upper Mustang through the registered local trekking agency of Nepal.

For Motorbike Touring​

The riders are advised to hire a licensed local tour guide. Its a 'must', especially, if you are touring Mustang region.
Any motorbike rental agency based in Kathmandu or Pokhara can help you obtain Upper Mustang Bike tour Permit.

Thank you.
 
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thomas green

thomas green

i am american citizen, and rode a bike in Nepal.
Even traffic police asked for my international driving license. They told me everyone should have a international driving permit if incase they want to ride in Nepal, its not only indian but for everyone
 
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Sujan

Sujan

Well-known member
Knowledge Contributor
If you are travelling with indian number plate vehicle in Nepal then its fine that you can ride with your indian license but if you are travelling on Nepali number bike then international driving license is mandatory. If you are confused you can simply Dail103 for traffic control in Nepal and ask about either you required a international driving license, they will guide you. Good luck
 
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Kiran

Kiran

How Our Friend Obtained an IDP for Riding in Nepal (Explained Clearly)

One of our friends recently managed to get an International Driving Permit (IDP) from India, and here’s how the process worked.

In India, the RTO usually does not issue an IDP specifically for Nepal, since Indian citizens do not require a visa to enter Nepal. However, an IDP can still be issued if the destination country requires a visa or is listed as an eligible country in the application system.

So, what we did was apply for the IDP online through the official RTO process, but instead of selecting Nepal, we selected Malaysia, which is a visa-on-arrival country for Indian passport holders. Since no prior visa documentation is required for such countries, the application was accepted without any issues.

The RTO confirmed that IDPs are issued for visa-required or eligible countries listed in the system. After submitting the application, it took a few days for the IDP to be processed and issued.


Once issued, the same IDP was used in Nepal without any problems, including for riding purposes. This method has been used earlier as well for Nepal trips and worked smoothly.

Hope this help to the indian riders for Nepal trip!
Cheers
 
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P

pradeep

Hi this is how i got the IDP from RTO.
Procedure to procure IDP (International Driving License) in India for Nepal:

1) online application for Nepal IDP is not available, hence one must head to the nearest RTO to avail the same directly
2) contact an agent for this process and request for IDP on any country where Indians have visa on arrival (ex: Malaysia, Thailand…)
3) the costs vary depending from state to state but around ₹4500-₹5000 (including agent fees)
4) upon submission the IDP is usually delivered right at the RTO within a day or two

These IDPs are accepted in Nepal by the authorities and rental agencies

Happy and safe travels to all
 
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