Nepal DOTM Category B Car exam-day guide
Nepal DOTM Category B Car · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Confirm your test appointment, reporting time, and centre address with the Department of Transport Management (DOTM) or your driving school
Practical Category B tests are scheduled through the DOTM licensing system, usually via a driving school or transport office. Re-confirm the date, reporting time, and exact location 72 hours ahead. Timings and centre assignments can change; do not rely on memory or hearsay. If anything is unclear, confirm with the provider (DOTM office or your registered driving school).
Valid original photo ID plus a photocopy
Bring the original citizenship certificate or passport (whichever your application was filed under) and at least one photocopy. The name and details must match your application exactly. Do not bring only a photocopy or a digital copy on your phone. If your ID is damaged, expired, or has a name mismatch, resolve it before test day or confirm with the provider whether alternative documents are accepted.
Learner's licence (trial/learner permit) and application receipt
Carry your learner's licence and any receipt or acknowledgement issued when you filed the Category B application. Examiners typically check that you hold a valid learner permit before allowing you into the vehicle. If your learner licence is lost or expired, contact the issuing office immediately; do not assume you can sit the test without it.
Completed medical certificate, if your application requires one
Some licence categories and applicants require a fitness/medical certificate, often with an eye test. Bring the original if it was issued separately. Requirements can vary by office and by whether you declared a medical condition; confirm with the provider whether your file already contains it.
The vehicle you will be tested in, with valid bluebook (registration) and insurance
Practical tests are usually conducted in a vehicle supplied by the candidate or the driving school. Ensure the vehicle is roadworthy: working brakes, lights, horn, mirrors, seatbelts, and clean windows. Carry the bluebook and proof of insurance. Confirm with the provider or school in advance which vehicle is permitted and whether school vehicles are provided.
Comfortable clothing and closed flat shoes
Wear clothing you can move in and flat shoes that give good pedal feel. Avoid sandals, slippers, heels, or thick-soled boots. Bring a light jacket or rain layer for Nepal's variable weather, and sunglasses if the test is in bright daylight.
Arrive early with buffer time for traffic and queueing
Plan to reach the centre well before your reporting time; traffic, roadworks, and document checks can delay you. Late arrival may mean forfeiting your slot. Check the route the day before and identify parking near the centre.
Know the vehicle controls before you sit in the driver's seat
Before the test, familiarise yourself with the clutch bite point, gear pattern, handbrake, indicator and wiper stalks, mirror adjustment, and seat position of the specific vehicle. If you are using a school car, ask for a short familiarisation session beforehand.
Bring water, a snack, and any personal medication
Practical tests can involve long waits. Stay hydrated and eat lightly so you are alert but not uncomfortable. Carry prescription medication if you need it and inform the examiner of any relevant condition before driving.
Leave prohibited items behind
Do not bring or use phones, smartwatches, or earphones during the driving assessment unless the examiner explicitly permits it. Keep documents in a folder rather than loose in your pocket.
Plan the day
Re-confirm your appointment, reporting time, and centre with the DOTM office or driving school. Verify that your learner's licence, ID, and any medical certificate are valid and consistent with your application. Arrange the test vehicle and confirm its bluebook and insurance are current. Do a full document check and resolve any mismatch now, not on the day.
Do at least one practice session in the same or a similar vehicle. Focus on the manoeuvres most commonly assessed: smooth clutch control and starting on a slope without rolling back, parallel or reverse parking, three-point turns where space is tight, lane discipline, mirror and blind-spot checks, signalling, and controlled braking. Practise narrating your observations aloud so checking becomes habitual.
Check the vehicle again: tyre condition and pressure, brake and clutch feel, all lights, horn, wipers, mirrors, and seatbelts. Confirm your route and travel time to the centre and plan to arrive early. Prepare a folder with originals and photocopies of all documents. Get a full night's sleep and avoid alcohol entirely.
Eat a light meal and arrive at the centre with time to spare. Complete any document verification or fee steps the office requires. Use the waiting time to mentally rehearse the sequence: seat and mirror adjustment, seatbelt, pre-start checks, smooth pull-away, observation at every change of direction, and a controlled stop. Stay calm and avoid last-minute cramming from other candidates.
Greet the examiner, present your documents, and follow instructions exactly. Adjust seat, mirrors, and headrest and fasten your seatbelt before moving. Start smoothly, keep both hands on the wheel, signal early, check mirrors and blind spots before every manoeuvre, and obey all traffic signs and speed limits. If you make a mistake, stay composed and continue safely. Ask for clarification if an instruction is unclear, and do not argue with the examiner during the assessment.
Stop the vehicle safely and secure it (handbrake, neutral or park, engine off) as instructed. Listen to the examiner's feedback and ask how and when results are issued. Confirm with the provider what the next step is, such as licence printing or a retest booking, and keep your receipts.
Rules to check
Carry original identity documents and your learner's licence; photocopies or phone images alone are usually not accepted. If your documents are damaged, expired, or mismatched, confirm with the provider before test day.
Follow every instruction from the examiner and centre staff. Do not argue, negotiate, or attempt to influence the assessment; if you believe an error occurred, raise it through the official channel afterwards.
Phones, smartwatches, and earphones must be switched off and stowed during the driving assessment unless the examiner explicitly allows otherwise.
The vehicle must be roadworthy and legally registered with valid insurance. An unsafe or non-compliant vehicle can result in the test not proceeding.
Seatbelt on, seat and mirrors adjusted, and pre-start checks completed before you move off. Failing basic safety routines is a common reason for marks being lost.
Drive to the road and traffic rules you were taught: observe speed limits, signal early, check mirrors and blind spots, and give way correctly. Safety and observation usually weigh more than smoothness.
Breaks and waiting times are set by the centre, not the candidate. If you feel unwell or need to stop, tell the examiner or staff immediately rather than continuing to drive.
Scoring and pass criteria are set by the DOTM and may vary by centre. Ask the examiner or office how the assessment is marked and how results are communicated; confirm with the provider rather than relying on what other candidates tell you.