Can I ride a motorbike in Nepal with an IDP?

Yes, with your home licence, if both cover motorcycles. GOV.UK says the permit must be the 1968 version; the 1949 version is no longer accepted.

Can I get a Nepali licence with my foreign licence?

Nepal's Motor Vehicles Act lets a foreign licence holder apply for a Nepali licence without a test by paying the fee. Check with the Department of Transport Management how this works for visitors.

Licence and IDP rules

Motorcycle licence and IDP rules for riding in Nepal (2026)

Carry an International Driving Permit that covers motorcycles with your home licence. GOV.UK says Nepal needs the 1968 permit and no longer accepts the 1949 one.

Checked against official sources on 2026-11-05.

Check what you need for Nepal

Three answers and you get a plain verdict. Rules checked against official sources; links below.

Licence issued inRiding inMy licence covers motorcycles

This is general information from official sources, not legal advice. Rules change; check with the embassy if your trip depends on it.

The rules in Nepal

International Driving Permit: Nepal's Motor Vehicles and Transport Management Act (section 53) lets the holder of an international driving licence ride the vehicles it covers. The Act doesn't name a convention, and Nepal is party to neither, but GOV.UK says you need a 1968 IDP and that the 1949 IDP is no longer accepted.
Motorcycle category: Your IDP only covers the vehicles listed on it, so your home licence must include motorcycles.
Local licence: Under section 52 of the Act, a foreign licence holder can apply for a Nepali licence without a test by paying the fee.
Helmets: Compulsory for rider and pillion (Motor Vehicles and Transport Management Act, section 130). GOV.UK notes rental shops provide passenger helmets if you ask.
Insurance: Travel insurers commonly refuse claims if you crash without a valid licence for the bike you were riding. New Zealand's government warns that without a motorcycle licence your travel insurance may be void. Read your policy before you ride.

What you need, by where your licence is from

Assumes your licence includes the motorcycle category. Without it, no IDP makes riding legal.

Riders from	What you need in Nepal
United States	An IDP from the United States (1949) is not recognised in Nepal. Nepal's Motor Vehicles and Transport Management Act (section 53) lets the holder of an international driving licence ride the vehicles it covers. The Act doesn't name a convention, and Nepal is party to neither, but GOV.UK says you need a 1968 IDP and that the 1949 IDP is no longer accepted. In the United States permits are issued by AAA and AATA.
United Kingdom	Yes: carry your licence plus a 1968 IDP. Carry your licence from the United Kingdom together with a 1968 International Driving Permit. In the United Kingdom permits are issued by PayPoint shops (for the DVLA).
Australia	An IDP from Australia (1949) is not recognised in Nepal. Nepal's Motor Vehicles and Transport Management Act (section 53) lets the holder of an international driving licence ride the vehicles it covers. The Act doesn't name a convention, and Nepal is party to neither, but GOV.UK says you need a 1968 IDP and that the 1949 IDP is no longer accepted. In Australia permits are issued by the Australian Automobile Association, through state motoring clubs such as NRMA, RACV and AANT.
Canada	An IDP from Canada (1949) is not recognised in Nepal. Nepal's Motor Vehicles and Transport Management Act (section 53) lets the holder of an international driving licence ride the vehicles it covers. The Act doesn't name a convention, and Nepal is party to neither, but GOV.UK says you need a 1968 IDP and that the 1949 IDP is no longer accepted. In Canada permits are issued by CAA.
Germany	Yes: carry your licence plus a 1968 IDP. Carry your licence from Germany together with a 1968 International Driving Permit. In Germany permits are issued by your local Fahrerlaubnisbehörde (driving licence office).
Ireland	An IDP from Ireland (1926 or 1949) is not recognised in Nepal. Nepal's Motor Vehicles and Transport Management Act (section 53) lets the holder of an international driving licence ride the vehicles it covers. The Act doesn't name a convention, and Nepal is party to neither, but GOV.UK says you need a 1968 IDP and that the 1949 IDP is no longer accepted. In Ireland permits are issued by the Road Safety Authority, through NDLS centres.
New Zealand	An IDP from New Zealand (1949) is not recognised in Nepal. Nepal's Motor Vehicles and Transport Management Act (section 53) lets the holder of an international driving licence ride the vehicles it covers. The Act doesn't name a convention, and Nepal is party to neither, but GOV.UK says you need a 1968 IDP and that the 1949 IDP is no longer accepted. In New Zealand permits are issued by AA New Zealand.
France	Yes: carry your licence plus a 1968 IDP. Carry your licence from France together with a 1968 International Driving Permit. In France permits are issued by ANTS (France Titres), online.
Netherlands	Yes: carry your licence plus a 1968 IDP. Carry your licence from the Netherlands together with a 1968 International Driving Permit. In the Netherlands permits are issued by ANWB.
Switzerland	Yes: carry your licence plus a 1968 IDP. Carry your licence from Switzerland together with a 1968 International Driving Permit. In Switzerland permits are issued by your cantonal road traffic office (or TCS/ACS in some cantons).
India	An IDP from India (1949) is not recognised in Nepal. Nepal's Motor Vehicles and Transport Management Act (section 53) lets the holder of an international driving licence ride the vehicles it covers. The Act doesn't name a convention, and Nepal is party to neither, but GOV.UK says you need a 1968 IDP and that the 1949 IDP is no longer accepted. In India permits are issued by your Regional Transport Office (RTO).
Singapore	An IDP from Singapore (1949) is not recognised in Nepal. Nepal's Motor Vehicles and Transport Management Act (section 53) lets the holder of an international driving licence ride the vehicles it covers. The Act doesn't name a convention, and Nepal is party to neither, but GOV.UK says you need a 1968 IDP and that the 1949 IDP is no longer accepted. In Singapore permits are issued by AA Singapore.
South Africa	Yes: carry your licence plus a 1968 IDP. Carry your licence from South Africa together with a 1968 International Driving Permit. In South Africa permits are issued by AA South Africa.
Israel	Yes: carry your licence plus a 1968 IDP. Carry your licence from Israel together with a 1968 International Driving Permit. In Israel permits are issued by the Ministry of Transport.
Brazil	Yes: carry your licence plus a 1968 IDP. Carry your licence from Brazil together with a 1968 International Driving Permit. In Brazil permits are issued by your state Detran or the Automóvel Clube Brasileiro.

No motorcycle licence?

An IDP never adds a motorcycle category, so without one you can't legally ride in Nepal. You can ride pillion behind a licensed local rider, or join a guided tour where a staff rider carries you, if the operator offers that. A guided tour does not make it legal to ride yourself without a licence.

Questions riders ask

Can I ride a motorbike in Nepal with an IDP?: Yes, with your home licence, if both cover motorcycles. GOV.UK says the permit must be the 1968 version; the 1949 version is no longer accepted.
Can I get a Nepali licence with my foreign licence?: Nepal's Motor Vehicles Act lets a foreign licence holder apply for a Nepali licence without a test by paying the fee. Check with the Department of Transport Management how this works for visitors.

Sources

Checked on 2026-11-05.

This page is general information drawn from the sources above, not legal advice. Rules change; if your trip depends on it, check with the embassy of the country you're visiting.

Tours in Nepal

See every motorcycle tour listed in Nepal. If you're unsure what you'll need on a particular trip, ask the operator about licence requirements through the enquiry form on the tour page before you book.

Motorcycle tours in Nepal