Traffic police will now accept driving licenses digitally stored on the Nagarik app. The app now equips a driver’s license with a QR code to let traffic police verify the license holders while also allowing users to pay for traffic rule violations on the go. Find out all the new features the app has brought and learn how you can link your driving license to the Nagarik App.
With this government move, the driving license on the Nagarik App will get the same treatment as the regular physical one. Prior to this, the government was heavily criticized for not recognizing the electronic copy of the driving license on the popular government app. Many even went on to question the government’s idea of digital transformation with “contradictory practices”.
But with recent updates including QR code, traffic police can fully accept the digital document on the app. That’s not all. You can use the app to pay fines issued to you right on the spot. The traffic police will also not have to use paper to issue fines. It will go paperless and use a digital device to process violation fines (e-chalan).
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Traffic police across Nepal now accept driving licenses on the Nagarik App
Traffic police all over Nepal will now accept driving licenses with new updates to complement the move. That means if you ever happen to forget your driving license, you can show the same document on your Nagarik App for your verification. So, during the regular checking, you can resort to the digital version of your driving permit as an option.
Earlier, the license within the app was accepted only for checking. A physical license had to be produced during any traffic rule violations. That’s not the case anymore. The digitally stored license on the app is now acceptable in all situations eliminating the need to carry the physical one entirely.
To enjoy these benefits, you need to link your driving license to the app. It can be easily done in the app. The QR code is central to these elevated conveniences which we explore below but first, let’s learn about how to link driving license to the Nagarik app. The new features and facilities are available on both Android and iOS platforms.
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How to link a driving license to the Nagarik App?
Here are the steps to link or add your driving license in Nagarik App.
- Update your Nagarik App if it’s on your mobile phone or download and launch it.
- Tap on the “Driving License” which you can find on the app’s home page.
- An interface opens asking you to enter your driving license number.
- Enter your DL Number and tap on “Submit”.
- You can find your driving license number below the emblem of the Nepal government.
- If the number is correct, the app will show the digital copy of your driving license on the next screen.
- Now, you have successfully linked your driving license in Nagarik App.
Nagarik App brings a QR code for driving license
The 2.0.28 Nagarik app update has brought a QR code feature which brings benefits for users and makes life easier for the traffic police as well. The QR code rests below the user’s driving license which contains all the authentic details of the user recorded at the Department of Transport Management (DoTM).
The QR code stores the necessary information of the driver’s license holder including photo, name, and other details. Traffic police scan the QR to authenticate all the details. In case you are found in a rule violation, traffic police scan the QR with a dedicated app and issue a fine. The details then go into your Violation Records in the Nagarik App along with the chit number. Should you choose, you can pay for the violation using eSewa or Khalti. You can also give this chit to someone else to pay the fine.
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The driving license is saved offline on the Nagarik app
You should also be aware now that the Nagarik App is now available offline too. Wait, what I meant is that the app works effectively to show the driving license even without the internet. Let me elaborate on this further as it can be really helpful for all. Once you log in to your Nagarik App and have linked your driving license, it is cached (saved). So even when you don’t have an internet connection via data or WiFi, you can still open the app and see your driving license in the Driving License section.
This offline ability to store the Driving license document can be extremely helpful for people in hilly places or highways or any situation where a cellular network is not available. When you open without an internet connection, the app will show No internet connection, however, you can still see your saved driving license. It also works the same way for a Permanent Account Number (PAN) card. Let’s assume that the government brings more of such valuable services through this ambitious government app.
NOTE: DL number means driving license number where D and L stand for Driving and License respectively.
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What to make of this?
It’s a welcome decision by the government to enable driving licence acceptance on the Nagarik App. Its great because finally, the government has truly validated the electronically stored licence on the app for both vehicle owners and traffic police. Not only that traffic police can scan and verify the identity of the drivers, the latters can also pay fines via the app.
The government hasn’t been able to print and distribute smart driving licences timely so it’s only positive that the document on the app will get recognised by the authorities. After passing licence trial exam, candidates won’t have to wait for a physical driving license but get it in electronic form on the app. How convenient that is! It has to he another significant testament to the power of this multi-purpose app and reflection of its broader potentials.
So, finally, the need to carry a physical driving license has ended thanks to the Nagarik App. How do you feel about it? Do share your insight in the comments below.
