Maximum Vehicle Age for Ride-Sharing Services Set at 15 Years

The government has set the maximum allowed age for vehicles used in ride-sharing and ride-hailing services at 15 years. Drivers involved in digital mobility services must be at least 18 years old and have held a valid driving license for at least one year. Service providers are permitted to charge a maximum commission of 10 percent on fares, and drivers must pay a minimum base fare for two kilometers.

On April 22, in Kathmandu, the government announced its preparations to limit the age of vehicles providing transportation through ride-sharing and ride-hailing platforms. The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport has drafted standards for operating digital mobility services in 2082 BS (2025/26 AD). According to the draft, authorized vehicles used in ride-hailing services must not exceed 15 years from their manufacturing date. This rule applies to both two-wheelers and four-wheelers.

The ministry stated that these regulations are aimed at ensuring legal uniformity across the federal, provincial, and local governments. The move is also in response to the Supreme Court’s directives to regulate ride-sharing services more effectively.

The draft emphasizes that safe and reliable services must be provided through electric platforms like ride-sharing, which are directly linked to entrepreneurship and economic prosperity in the transport sector. It sets regulations for service providers and vehicle management to improve service quality.

For two-wheelers, petrol-engine vehicles must comply with pollution standards, while electric vehicles require a minimum peak power capacity of 1.5 kilowatts and a maximum speed exceeding 40 kilometers per hour. For four-wheelers, a cargo space of at least 200 liters is mandated. After these standards are implemented, service providers will only be allowed to enroll drivers with vehicles that meet these digital mobility standards.