Nepal DOTM Motorcycle Written Exam cheat sheet

Red octagon = STOP: come to a complete halt, yield to cross traffic and pedestrians, proceed only when safe.

Red triangle (inverted) = YIELD: slow down, be prepared to stop, give way to traffic on the intersecting road.

Circular signs with red border = prohibition (e.g., no entry, speed limit, no overtaking); blue circles = mandatory instruction (e.g., turn left, keep left).

Yellow background diamond or square = warning sign (e.g., sharp curve, pedestrian crossing, slippery road); these are typically placed 50–100 m before the hazard on rural roads.

Traffic light sequence: red → red+amber (get ready) → green → amber (stop unless unsafe to do so) → red.

Flashing amber light = proceed with caution; flashing red = stop and proceed only when safe (used at some railway crossings or malfunctioning signals).

Solid white centre line = no overtaking or crossing; broken white line = overtaking permitted when safe; double solid yellow line = no crossing for either direction.

Zebra crossing (broad white stripes) = pedestrians have right of way; stop before the stop line and do not block the crossing.

Stop line: solid white line across your lane at intersections; you must stop behind it at a red light or stop sign.

At an uncontrolled intersection, yield to the vehicle approaching from your right; if you are turning left, yield to oncoming traffic going straight or turning right.

Left-turn rule: when turning left (across oncoming traffic), give way to vehicles coming from the opposite direction; when turning right, yield to traffic already in the intersection.

Nepal drives on the left; overtake on the right, but only when the road ahead is clear and no solid line prohibits it.

Pedestrians at a zebra crossing have absolute right-of-way; you must stop and wait until they have crossed completely.

Emergency vehicles (ambulance, fire, police with siren) have priority; pull over to the left and stop to let them pass.

At a roundabout, give way to traffic already circulating (coming from your right in left-hand-drive countries).

Speed limits (unless signed otherwise): 50 km/h on highways, 40 km/h in municipalities, 30 km/h in school zones and congested areas (typical Nepal values; always obey posted limits).

Never cross a solid yellow or white line to overtake; never overtake at a bend, hill crest, or pedestrian crossing.

U-turns are prohibited on busy roads, near intersections, and where signs forbid them; check mirrors and signal before any U-turn.

Following distance: use the 3-second rule in dry conditions; increase to 4+ seconds in rain, gravel, or low visibility.

Lane positioning: ride in the centre of your lane or slightly toward the right side of your lane (in left-hand traffic) to be visible, but avoid riding in blind spots.

Always do a shoulder check (head check) before changing lanes or turning; mirrors have blind spots.

Target fixation: look where you want to go, not at the hazard; your motorcycle follows your gaze.

In rain, reduce speed by at least 20–30% and avoid painted road markings, manhole covers, and oil slicks-they become slippery.

Defensive riding: assume other drivers have not seen you; make eye contact at intersections and be ready to stop.

Use both brakes progressively: front brake provides about 70–80% of stopping power; apply rear brake first or simultaneously to avoid front-wheel lockup.

Never ride in a vehicle's blind spot; if you can't see the driver's mirrors, they can't see you.

At night, use low beam in traffic and high beam only on unlit roads with no oncoming traffic; reduce speed so you can stop within the distance lit by your headlight.

Pre-ride check (T-CLOCS): Tires (pressure, tread, damage), Controls (levers, cables, throttle), Lights (headlight, brake, indicators), Oil (level, leaks), Chassis (suspension, chain tension), Stands (side stand spring).

Tire pressure: check cold; under-inflation reduces stability and increases fuel consumption; over-inflation reduces grip.

Chain slack: typically 20–30 mm free play (consult your owner's manual); lubricate every 500 km and after rain.

Helmet: must be ISI/DOT/ECE certified, fit snugly, and be fastened with the chin strap before every ride; replace after any impact.

Protective gear: gloves, jacket with armour, long trousers, and boots; bright or reflective clothing improves visibility.

Brake controls: right hand lever = front brake; right foot pedal = rear brake. On automatic scooters, both levers operate brakes (left = rear, right = front).

Clutch (manual): left hand lever; throttle: right hand grip; gear shift: left foot lever (1-down, rest up in most motorcycles).

Before riding, check that the side stand is fully retracted; many bikes have a side-stand cut-off switch that prevents riding if the stand is down.

Mandatory documents to carry: valid driving licence (with motorcycle category), vehicle registration certificate (blue book), insurance certificate, and tax receipt.

Driving licence categories: A (motorcycle), B (car), etc.; riding a motorcycle requires a category A licence; riding without one is a punishable offence.

Third-party insurance is compulsory by law; riding without valid insurance is illegal and may result in fines.

Vehicle registration (blue book) must be renewed annually; driving an unregistered vehicle is an offence.

Helmet law: both rider and pillion passenger must wear helmets; fines apply for non-compliance.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is prohibited; legal blood alcohol limit in Nepal is 0.00% for commercial drivers and typically 0.03% for private drivers (enforced by breathalyser).

Penalties for traffic violations include fines, licence suspension, and in serious cases, imprisonment; always carry your documents and produce them on demand by traffic police.

Vehicle fitness test: commercial vehicles require periodic fitness certification; private vehicles must be maintained roadworthy.

Address change or vehicle sale must be reported to the Department of Transport Management within a specified period (typically 7–15 days).

At an accident scene: stop, switch off your engine, and warn other traffic (use hazard lights, reflectors, or a warning triangle placed 50–100 m behind the scene).

Call emergency services: police 100, ambulance 102 (or 112 for unified emergency in some areas); give exact location, number of casualties, and hazards.

Do not move an injured person unless there is immediate danger (fire, oncoming traffic); moving them may worsen spinal injuries.

First aid for bleeding: apply direct pressure with a clean cloth; do not remove embedded objects; elevate the limb if possible.

For suspected fractures: immobilise the limb with a splint (use a board, magazine, or rolled cloth) and do not attempt to realign the bone.

CPR: 30 chest compressions (100–120 per minute, depth 5–6 cm) followed by 2 rescue breaths; continue until help arrives or the person recovers.

If the person is unconscious but breathing, place them in the recovery position (on their side) to keep the airway clear.

Do not give food or drink to an injured person; it may cause choking or complicate surgery.

Exchange details: name, address, licence number, vehicle registration, and insurance information with other parties involved; report the accident to the nearest police station within 24 hours if required.

Nepali roads often mix pedestrians, animals, bicycles, and vehicles; reduce speed in bazaars and villages and be ready to stop suddenly.

Monsoon hazards: potholes, landslides, and slippery mud; avoid riding through flooded areas where depth is unknown; test brakes after crossing water.

Hill roads: use engine braking on long descents (downshift) to avoid brake fade; do not coast in neutral; sound horn on blind bends (common practice in Nepal).

Dust and gravel: reduce speed, avoid sudden braking or acceleration, and keep a larger following distance.

Livestock and stray animals: slow down, do not honk aggressively, and give them wide berth; they may move unpredictably.

Night riding: many vehicles have poor or no lights; use your headlight and reflective gear; be extra cautious of unlit pedestrians and carts.

Overtaking on narrow hill roads: wait for a clear stretch with good visibility; never overtake on a blind curve or near a cliff edge.

Respect local traffic customs: in congested areas, lane splitting is common but risky; always signal your intentions and avoid aggressive riding.

Railway crossings: stop, look both ways, and listen before crossing; never attempt to cross when a train is approaching.

Engine oil: check level weekly; change every 2,000–3,000 km or as per manufacturer; used oil must be disposed of at designated collection points, never dumped.

Air filter: clean every 1,000 km in dusty conditions; a clogged filter increases fuel consumption and reduces power.

Spark plug: check gap and condition every 5,000 km; a worn plug causes poor starting and higher emissions.

Tire tread: legal minimum is 1 mm, but replace when tread depth is below 2 mm for safety; worn tires reduce grip and increase stopping distance.

Fuel efficiency: maintain correct tire pressure, avoid aggressive acceleration and braking, and remove unnecessary load; this reduces emissions and saves money.

Emission control: do not remove or tamper with the catalytic converter or muffler; get emission tested as required (pollution check certificate).

Battery: check electrolyte level (if applicable) and terminals; a weak battery strains the charging system and can cause stalling.

Brake fluid: check level and colour; replace every 2 years or as specified; contaminated fluid reduces braking performance.

Environmental responsibility: avoid idling for long periods, use lead-free petrol, and dispose of batteries, tires, and oil filters responsibly.