Traffic Rules and Right-of-Way (Nepal DOTM Category B)
Nepal drives on the left with right-hand-drive cars, so the entire right-of-way system follows left-hand traffic logic. Exam questions here are junction puzzles: who moves first, and who must wait.
Right-of-way, junction by junction
- Uncontrolled junction: give way to vehicles approaching from your right.
- Roundabout: traffic already circulating comes from your right; you give way on entry. Circulation runs clockwise.
- Turning right across oncoming traffic: wait for vehicles going straight or turning left.
- Emerging from a minor road, driveway or petrol station: give way to everything already on the road.
- Pedestrians on a zebra crossing: stop and let them finish.
- Emergency vehicles with siren or flashing lights: pull left and stop if needed.
Overtaking
Overtake on the right. Never overtake on a blind bend, on a crest, on a narrow bridge, at a junction, at a zebra crossing, or over a continuous line. One exception: if the vehicle ahead is signalling and positioned to turn right, you may pass on its left, with care.
Narrow hill roads
On a single-lane mountain road the descending vehicle gives way to the ascending one: the uphill driver has less room to restart and worse forward visibility. Pull to your left and stop.
Worked example
You are descending a narrow hill road and a truck is climbing towards you on a bend. Correct action: slow early, pull as far left as the surface allows, stop, and let the truck pass. Reasoning: you are downhill, so the rule places the give-way duty on you, and the bend hides whatever is behind the truck.
Traps that cost marks
Overtaking on the left as a habit. Entering a roundabout assuming you have priority. Waving a pedestrian across while another lane is still moving. Quoting "right of way" as a defence - the duty to avoid a collision always outranks it.