KATHMANDU: The issuance of driver’s licenses and embossed number plates has been suspended for three months following the complete destruction of the Department of Transport Management (DoTM) office and its printing machines during the Gen Z movement on September 9.

“Since the office was burned, the system is inoperable. The machines used to print licenses and embossed number plates were completely destroyed,” said DoTM Director General Rajiv Pokharel. “We are working to resume services within three months.”

While DoTM offices across the valley are being prepared to reopen within a month, driver’s licenses and embossed number plates will not be immediately available.

Most transport offices in the Kathmandu Valley were damaged during the protests.

Protesters set fire to the New Baneshwar DoTM office, which housed the electronic driving license and vehicle registration system, causing severe damage that has halted all transport-related services.

Pokharel noted that the damage will also affect services in other offices.

Gurjudhara Transport Office official Giri prasad Bista, which handles motorcycle-related services, confirmed, “We are currently unable to provide any services. Services are suspended indefinitely.”

The office stated in a notice published on September 14 that all equipment, infrastructure, and documents were completely destroyed in the arson, suspending operations until further notice.

Similarly, the Chabahil DoTM office, responsible for issuing driver’s licenses, announced the suspension of all services until further notice.

Bista added that customers who have already paid fees for licenses and embossed plates will be able to receive services based on their receipts once the offices reopen, but the exact timeline for resumption remains uncertain.