The Metropolitan Traffic Police Department (MTPD) says it will make “road test” mandatory for those seeking driving licence after they pass the existing written test and trial.

The MTPD in association with the Department of Transport Management (DoTM) is planning to introduce the new rule within two months, according to MTPD chief Mingmar Lama.

According to the DoTM, as many as 500 people take driving test for licence.

 According to traffic police, Kathmandu Valley has over 828,000 vehicles. 

The road test will be conducted in different places: Jorpati to Gokarneshwar, Machhapokhari to Kakane, Balkhu to Chobhar, Narayan Gopal Chowk to Budanilakantha and Bhaktapur to Banepa road sections.

“We will have separate desks in various places. Our officials will ask people to follow instructions and they must pass the road test to acquire driving licence,” said Lama.

“After passing the road trial, they will have to attend an hourlong ‘traffic awareness class’,” added Lama.

Meanwhile, traffic police have announced that vehicles en route to the Capital will must get washed before entering the Valley. For this, the traffic police have said wash centres would be set up at different places where vehicles can pay and get washed.

“This rule will be implemented after three months,” said Lama. Such wash centres will be set up in Balaju, Nagdhunga, Dakshinkali and Balaju, according to traffic police. The announcement, however, has met with criticism, with some ridiculing the move, saying the move “makes no sense”.