Government Proposes Fines of Up to Rs 100,000 for Traffic Violations in New Transport Bill
The government has proposed stricter penalties for traffic violations through a new Transport Management Bill, including fines of up to Rs 100,000 for serious offenses.
The government is preparing to introduce stricter traffic regulations through a new Transport Management Bill that proposes fines of up to Rs 100,000 for serious traffic offenses. The draft bill, prepared by the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and forwarded to the Ministry of Law, seeks to enhance road safety, improve traffic discipline, and reduce road accidents.
Under the proposed legislation, traffic police would be authorized to take immediate action against drivers committing any of 39 specified offenses. Fines would be payable through the Nagarik App or other electronic payment systems. Repeat offenders would face increased penalties, with fines rising by 50 percent for a second offense and doubling for subsequent violations.
The bill includes significant penalties for offenses such as driving without a valid license, operating a vehicle without route permits, failing emission tests, and using vehicles for purposes other than those for which they were registered. Motorcyclists riding without helmets could face a fine of Rs 3,000, while drivers using mobile phones while driving may be fined Rs 10,000.
One of the strictest provisions targets vehicles with heavily tinted or opaque windows that prevent visibility from outside. Drivers found operating such vehicles could face fines of up to Rs 100,000.
The bill also proposes severe penalties for speeding violations. Depending on the type of vehicle, fines could range from Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000. The penalty amount would increase according to the degree by which the speed limit is exceeded.
Public transportation operators would also face stricter enforcement. Carrying passengers beyond approved seating capacity could result in fines ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 20,000. Similarly, charging fares above the approved rate, refusing passengers, or declining to operate taxi meters would attract monetary penalties.
Additional penalties have been proposed for lane discipline violations, driving against traffic, operating vehicles on footpaths, ignoring traffic signals, obstructing public roads, littering from vehicles, and damaging traffic signs.
According to the government, the proposed reforms are intended to strengthen traffic management, improve accountability among drivers, and create safer roads for all road users across Nepal.