Sagar passed his trial exam at the Ekantakuna transport office in Poush. The officer said: "You will get an SMS when your smart card is ready." Sagar waited. Magh passed. Falgun passed. Chaitra came and went.
No SMS.
He went back to the Ekantakuna office during his lunch break. The queue stretched to the footpath. He stood for forty minutes. The counter person typed something into a computer and said: "Printed. Collect here. Bring citizenship." His card had been ready for a month. Nobody sent the SMS.
This happens more than it should. DoTM's SMS notification system works, but not always. Cards get printed. The SMS does not fire. And applicants wait for months not knowing their license is sitting in a pile at the counter, collecting dust.
The fix is simple: learn how to check your own status. This guide covers every method that works in 2026, starting with the fastest.
Fastest answer: Driving license print status check karne tarika
Online (free): Go to dotm.gov.np/DrivingLicense/SearchLicense from any phone or computer. Enter your license number and date of birth. Result shows instantly.
By SMS (Rs. 5): Type LC [space] [your license number] and send to 31003. Works from NTC and Ncell. Reply comes within 1-2 minutes.
Exam result check (Likhit nateeja): Visit your provincial DoTM office Facebook page or go to dotm.gov.np and look for the written exam result notice for your exam date.
31003
Official DoTM SMS shortcode for print status check
Rs. 5
Cost per SMS check (NTC or Ncell, plus applicable taxes)
Free
Cost of online check at dotm.gov.np portal
1-2 yrs
Typical DoTM backlog time in 2025-2026 for smart card printing
Method 1: Check Driving License Print Status Online (Free)
This is the official DoTM portal method. No SMS charges, no queue, no app needed. Works on any phone with a data connection. If you are at a Nanglo Coffee in Thamel or on a bus from Banepa to Dhulikhel, this works the same way.
1
Open the DoTM license search page
Go to dotm.gov.np/DrivingLicense/SearchLicense directly. If that link gives a loading error, try the alternate URL: applydl.dotm.gov.np and look for the "License Search" or "Print Status" option in the menu. The portal can be slow during peak hours (10 AM to 2 PM NST weekdays).
2
Enter your license number
Your license number is in the format XX-XX-XXXXXXXX, for example 01-01-00123456. The first two digits are your province code. The next two digits are the office code. The remaining eight digits are your unique sequence number. This number is on your trial exam receipt, your original license application form, or your old paper license if you are doing a renewal. Do not confuse this with your application ID from the online form.
3
Enter your date of birth
The system asks for date of birth as a verification step. Enter it in the format shown on the form, usually YYYY-MM-DD or DD/MM/YYYY depending on the portal version. Use your AD date of birth, not BS. The system links your license number to your date of birth in the DoTM database.
4
Read your result
The system returns one of three statuses: Printed (ready to collect), Approved (approved for printing but not yet printed), or Pending (still in queue or under processing). See the status meanings section below for what each one means and what to do next.
Portal slow or not loading? The DoTM portal runs on government infrastructure and gets congested between 10 AM and 2 PM. Try early morning before 9 AM NST or in the evening after 5 PM. If the page times out, wait 10 minutes and try again. Using Chrome or Firefox gives the most reliable results. The site sometimes does not render correctly on UC Browser or older Android WebView.
Method 2: Check by SMS Without Internet (Rs. 5 per check)
Yadi tapailai internet nacho, ya portal nai load bhairakhena bhane, SMS method use garnu hola. Works from the most basic keypad phone, anywhere in Nepal, including areas where 4G has not reached. The only requirement is an active NTC or Ncell SIM with Rs. 5 balance.
Quick SMS Method: Driving license print status herne tarika
LC [space] [Your License Number]
Send to: 31003
Example message to type: LC 01-01-00123456
Send to number: 31003
Cost: Rs. 5 + taxes per SMS (NTC and Ncell both supported)
Reply time: Usually 1 to 3 minutes
Also works with shortcode: 33001 (backup number, same service)
The reply SMS from DoTM will state your license number, the current print status (Printed or Pending), and if Printed, it will mention the office where your card is ready for collection.
SMS status can sometimes be outdated
Multiple users have reported that the SMS system sometimes shows "Pending" even when the online portal shows "Printed." If your SMS says Pending but you have been waiting more than six months, double-check on the online portal or call the office directly. The online portal pulls from a more live database than the SMS gateway in most cases.
How to Check Your Driving License Likhit (Written Exam) Result
Yadi tapailele abhi trial exam dinu bhayeko chhaina, ra likhit exam (written exam) result herne ho bhane, this is a separate process from the print status check.
The written exam (likhit pariksha) result is different from the smart card print status. The likhit result tells you whether you passed the written test. The print status tells you whether your physical smart card has been manufactured after you passed everything including the trial.
How to Check Written Exam (Likhit) Result
1
Check the official DoTM website
Go to dotm.gov.np and look for "License Result" or "Likhit Result" in the notices section. Results are published as PDF files. You need your Applicant ID (from your online application) and your date of birth.
2
Check the Facebook page of your DoTM office
Every major DoTM office has an official Facebook page where they post exam results, sometimes faster than the website. Search Facebook for "DoTM Chabahil License" or "DoTM Ekantakuna" or your specific district office. Results are posted as image announcements or downloadable PDFs.
3
SMS method for likhit result
Type your Applicant ID (not license number) and send to 33001. The format varies by office but is generally: DL [space] [Applicant ID]. Confirm the exact format with your district DoTM office, as it differs slightly between provinces.
Prepare for the likhit before you sit it
The written exam has 50 multiple choice questions. You need 40 correct (80%) to pass. Questions cover traffic signs, road rules, vehicle knowledge, and penalties. Most people who fail do so because they underestimate the road sign questions. Use the Merokalam Driving License Test tool to practice with the same question types that appear in the actual DoTM exam.
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What Your Status Actually Means: Printed vs Approved vs Pending
The DoTM portal shows different status words and they do not mean the same thing. Here is what each one actually means so you know what your next step should be.
Printed
Your smart card has been physically manufactured. It is sitting at the transport office listed in the result. Go collect it as soon as possible. Bring your citizenship certificate.
Approved
Your application has been approved for printing but the physical card has not been manufactured yet. You are in the print queue. Check again after 2 to 4 weeks.
Pending
Your application is still being processed. This could mean it is in the queue, there is a data verification hold, or there is a backlog at the printing facility. See the troubleshooting section below.
The "Approved vs Printed" confusion: a real Nepal-specific issue
Many applicants see "Approved" and go to the office to collect, only to be told the card is not there yet. "Approved" does not mean your card is physically ready. It means DoTM's system has signed off on your application to print, but the actual printing at the card facility may take additional weeks.
Only "Printed" means you can go collect. When the status says Printed, the system will also show which specific office has your card (for example: Chabahil, Ekantakuna, or Jagati). Go to that exact office, not another branch.
How to Collect Your Smart Card: What to Bring and Where to Go
Once the status shows "Printed," you need to physically collect the card from the transport office. This cannot be done online or via post in most cases. You must go in person.
A
Documents to bring
Your original citizenship certificate (nagarikta) is mandatory. Bring one photocopy of the citizenship as well. Some offices also ask for your old paper license (if this is a renewal) or a printed copy of your application receipt. A photo of your trial exam pass notice on your phone is usually sufficient as additional proof if asked.
B
Go to the right office
The online status result will state the specific office name where your card is held, for example "Ekantakuna" or "Chabahil" or "Jagati." Do not go to a different office. The cards are held at the specific office that processed your application. Going to the wrong office means a wasted trip.
C
Office hours
DoTM offices are open Sunday through Thursday, 10 AM to 5 PM NST. Friday and Saturday are closed. Public holidays are closed. The collection counter at most offices is busiest between 11 AM and 1 PM. If you can go before 10:30 AM when it opens or after 3 PM, your wait is shorter.
D
Screenshot your Printed status
Before going, take a screenshot of the DoTM portal showing your license number and the "Printed" status. Sometimes the counter staff cannot find the card immediately in the pile. Having the digital confirmation with the office name helps you communicate exactly what you are looking for. It also serves as proof if the portal goes down on the day you visit.
Status Stuck on Pending for Months? Here is What to Do
This is the most common frustration point. You passed your trial exam over a year ago. The status still says Pending. You have checked it 50 times. Nothing changes.
Here is a realistic breakdown of why this happens and what actually helps.
The honest truth about DoTM's backlog in 2025-2026
Nepal's DoTM has faced ongoing delays in smart card printing since 2022 due to a combination of factors: supplier contract issues for the card blanks, high application volumes post-COVID, and the introduction of a new card format. As of 2026, wait times of 12 to 18 months from trial exam to card printing are common for many applicants. This is not a system error with your application. It is a system-wide backlog. Checking the status more frequently does not speed up the process.
Actions That Actually Help
1
Verify your application data is correct
The most common reason for a genuine hold (not just backlog) is a data mismatch: your name in the DoTM system does not match your citizenship certificate, or your date of birth was entered incorrectly during application. Log into applydl.dotm.gov.np with your application ID and check the personal details on record. If there is a mismatch, you need to visit the office and submit a correction request.
2
Visit the transport office in person
If you have been Pending for more than 12 months, go to the transport office where you applied and ask specifically about your status at the counter. Bring your application ID and citizenship. Counter staff can check internal remarks on your application that the public portal does not show. Sometimes applications are flagged for minor corrections that only appear in the internal system.
3
Apply for an urgent smart license print (Aatmanirbhar)
DoTM has a provision for urgent smart card printing for applicants who need their card for employment, travel, or other verified urgent reasons. This is a separate process that involves filing a request at the office with supporting documentation. Processing time is reportedly 3 to 7 working days for urgent cases. This is not widely advertised but it exists. Ask at the collection counter specifically for the "urgent print request" process.
4
Keep your paper license valid in the meantime
If your paper driving license has expired while waiting for the smart card, you need to renew it. A paper license renewal does not cancel your smart card application. You can hold both a renewed paper license and continue waiting for the smart card. Traffic police accept the paper license as valid documentation while the smart card is in process.
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DoTM Offices by Province: Where to Check Outside Kathmandu
Smart card printing and collection is not limited to Kathmandu Valley. All provinces have DoTM offices that process applications and hold printed cards. If you applied from outside Kathmandu, your card is held at the office where you applied, not in Kathmandu.
| Province |
Major DoTM Office Location |
How to Find Your Print List |
| Koshi Province |
Biratnagar, Dharan, Dhankuta |
Check dotm.gov.np or search Facebook for "DoTM Biratnagar License" |
| Madhesh Province |
Janakpur, Birgunj, Lahan |
Provincial transport office websites or Facebook pages |
| Bagmati Province |
Chabahil, Ekantakuna, Jagati, Radhe Radhe, Hetauda |
ktmlc2.dotm.gov.np / lalitpurlc.dotm.gov.np |
| Gandaki Province |
Pokhara (Chipledhunga) |
Search Facebook for "DoTM Pokhara License" for latest print lists |
| Lumbini Province |
Butwal, Bhairahawa, Dang |
Provincial DoTM website or Butwal transport office Facebook page |
| Karnali Province |
Surkhet, Jumla |
dotm.gov.np notices section or call the Surkhet office directly |
| Sudurpaschim Province |
Dhangadhi, Dadeldhura |
Dhangadhi transport office Facebook page or dotm.gov.np |
Tip for outside-Valley applicants: DoTM offices in district headquarters are less staffed than Kathmandu offices. Call before visiting: confirm they have received the print batch containing your card. The phone numbers for each provincial office are on dotm.gov.np under the "Office Directory" section.
Frequently Asked Questions
I passed my trial 18 months ago and status is still Pending. Is my application lost? +
It is unlikely lost. The DoTM system keeps application records even with backlog delays. An 18-month Pending status in 2025-2026 is unfortunately common given the smart card printing backlog. Visit the transport office where you applied in person with your application ID and citizenship. Ask the counter staff to check the internal remarks on your application. Sometimes there is a small data issue flagged internally that you can resolve in one visit. Do not rely on the public portal alone for troubleshooting.
Can I drive legally while waiting for my smart card? +
Yes, if you have a valid paper driving license. Nepal Traffic Police accept your old paper license as valid while the smart card is being processed. The paper license must not be expired. If it has expired, renew it at the transport office. A renewal application does not cancel your smart card in the queue. Carry your trial pass receipt or online application receipt as additional support in case of any traffic police queries.
What is my license number? I cannot find it anywhere. +
Your license number is assigned when your application is approved in the DoTM system. Format is XX-XX-XXXXXXXX. It appears on: your trial exam pass slip, your DoTM application portal account under "Application Status," or on your old paper license if this is a renewal. If you have none of these, log into applydl.dotm.gov.np with your registered mobile number. Your application details including license number should be visible under your account.
The SMS to 31003 says Pending but the online portal says Printed. Which one is correct? +
Trust the online portal. The SMS gateway pulls from a slightly delayed database compared to the web portal. If the portal at dotm.gov.np shows Printed with an office name, your card is ready. Go collect it. The SMS system is useful for quick checks when you have no internet, but the portal is the authoritative source for current status.
Can someone else collect my smart card on my behalf? +
In most cases, collection requires the applicant's physical presence because the card contains biometric data and photo. However, some offices accept collection by an authorized representative with a notarized letter of authorization plus copies of both parties' citizenship certificates. This varies by office. Call your specific DoTM office before sending someone else, confirm what they require for proxy collection.
How do I add a new vehicle category to my existing smart card? +
Adding a category (for example, going from motorcycle to car license) requires a fresh application through applydl.dotm.gov.np, passing the written exam and trial for the new category, and then a new smart card is issued incorporating all your categories. You cannot add a category by updating the existing smart card. The new card goes through the same print queue as first-time applications.
The Simplest Summary: License check karne tarika in 2026
Driving license status check garnu Nepal ma difficult chhaina, tara confusing huna sakcha. Here is the one-minute version:
If you have internet: go to dotm.gov.np/DrivingLicense/SearchLicense, enter your license number and date of birth, read the status. Free, takes 30 seconds.
If you have no internet: type LC [space] [license number] and send to 31003. Costs Rs. 5. Takes 1-2 minutes.
If the status says Printed: screenshot it, go to the listed office during Sunday to Thursday office hours, bring your citizenship certificate, and collect your card.
If the status says Pending after 12 months: visit the office in person and ask the counter staff to check internal remarks on your application.
Sagar's card was collected in 20 minutes once he knew to go. The queue was shorter than he expected that afternoon. He checked the status from the microbus on the way there. Printed. Ekantakuna office. Counter 3. Done by 4 PM.
Quick reference card: Save this to your phone
Online check: dotm.gov.np/DrivingLicense/SearchLicense
SMS check: LC [space] [license number] to 31003
Backup SMS number: 33001
SMS cost: Rs. 5 + taxes
DoTM HQ phone: 014574921 / 014574922
Chabahil office: 014569511
Ekantakuna office: 01-5193173
Jagati Bhaktapur: 016615211
Office hours: Sunday to Thursday, 10 AM to 5 PM NST
Documents to collect: Original citizenship certificate + photocopy
Disclaimer: Portal URLs, SMS numbers, and office contact details are verified as of May 2026 but may change with DoTM system updates. Always confirm current contact details at dotm.gov.np before visiting. Merokalam is not affiliated with DoTM and cannot check license status on your behalf.