Last updated: July 2026 (Shrawan 2083). Duplicate-license provisions vary by office practice — confirm your case at the counter/official notice.
License हरायो? Wallet stolen, card cracked in half, or it went through the washing machine — whatever happened, you need a duplicate driving license (प्रतिलिपि), and you need to know: which documents, whether a police report is required, what it costs, and how much of it can happen online. Here’s the complete picture.
📥 FREE Download: Driving License Complete Checklist (PDF)
Apply गर्नुअघि चाहिने सबै — documents, age, exam format, fees, SMS codes — २ पानाको checklist। Print गरेर टिक लगाउँदै जानुहोस्।
First, one important distinction people mix up constantly:
Duplicate vs Renewal — Which One Is Your Case?
| Your Situation | What You Need |
|---|---|
| License lost/damaged, still valid | Duplicate (replacement copy, same validity) |
| License expired (with or without the card) | Renewal — see the online renewal walkthrough and fine/grace rules |
| Lost and expired | Both issues resolve through the renewal path — mention the loss; ask the office how they sequence it |
Documents for a Duplicate License
- Citizenship certificate (original + copy).
- License details — the license number matters most. Don’t have it noted anywhere? Your record can be traced via your details at the office; a photo/photocopy of the old license makes everything faster. (This is why we tell everyone: आजै आफ्नो license को photo मोबाइलमा राख्नुहोस्।)
- Police report (मुचुल्का): for lost/stolen cases, offices commonly ask for a police application/report as loss proof — get one from the local police, it’s a quick process. For damaged cases, bring the damaged card itself instead.
- Passport-size photo(s) as asked.
- Duplicate fee — a card re-issue fee applies (smart-card printing cost around Rs 1,500 is the anchor; confirm the current amount on the official notice/portal at payment).
The Process, Step by Step
- (Lost cases) File the police report first — same day is fine; carry citizenship.
- Apply through eDLVRS / your transport office — the online system carries re-issue/duplicate service where enabled for your office; otherwise the counter takes the application directly. Log in at applydl.dotm.gov.np and check the service menu for your case.
- Verification — your record is pulled by license number/details; identity is matched against citizenship/NIN.
- Pay the duplicate/card fee — online where offered (payment guide) or at the counter.
- Collect / await the re-printed smart card — same print-tracking as any card; our print-status guide (SMS 33001) publishes Wednesday.
While You Wait: Can You Drive?
Driving without a license card in hand is a traffic-check problem even if a duplicate is processing. Keep your application receipt/payment proof with you, avoid unnecessary risk, and ask the office for any interim slip provision they offer. A traffic stop accepts documents, not stories.
Protect Yourself for Next Time
- 📸 Photo of license front/back stored in your phone + cloud.
- 📝 License number written in your notes app.
- 🪪 Digital copies increasingly live alongside government apps — see how digital identity documents are evolving in our Nepal Digital Identity Guide.
FAQ
Is a police report always compulsory for a lost license?
For lost/stolen cases it’s the standard proof offices ask; damaged-card cases generally don’t need it (bring the damaged card). Practice varies — call/ask your office before queuing.
How much does a duplicate license cost?
Expect the card re-issue fee (≈Rs 1,500 anchor for smart-card printing) plus any service revenue per current notice. The portal/counter shows the exact payable amount.
Will the duplicate have the same validity date?
Yes — a duplicate replaces the card, not the license terms. Same number, same expiry. If expiry is near, ask whether renewing together is smarter (one visit instead of two).
I found my old license after getting a duplicate. Which is valid?
The newly issued card is your license; the old one should be surrendered/destroyed — using cancelled cards causes record conflicts.
Can I get a duplicate from a different province?
Records are central; where the online service covers your case you can process from where you are. If the portal directs you to a specific office, follow it.
License हराएर तनाव? आफ्नो situation (lost/damaged, valid/expired, कुन province) लेखेर पठाउनुहोस् — Digital Solution ले step order मिलाइदिन्छ। Site को WhatsApp (+977 9705433699) बाट सम्पर्क गर्नुहोस्।
Disclaimer: Digital Solution Nepal is an independent educational/digital-service assistance website, not a government body. Duplicate/re-issue practice varies by office and notices change — verify at your Transport Management Office or on official portals (dotm.gov.np / applydl.dotm.gov.np).
Rabin Paudel
Rabin Paudel is the Founder of Digital Solution, a Content Creator, and an AI Trainer. He shares practical and easy-to-understand content on Artificial Intelligence, Digital Literacy, Online Services, FinTech, and Technology. His mission is to make technology simple, accessible, and useful for everyone.
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