Data Center Fire Halts Driver’s License and Vehicle Registration Services Indefinitely

Data Center Fire

26th September 2025, Kathmandu

The Department of Transport Management (DoTM), under the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, has suspended all services related to driver’s licenses and vehicle registration.

Data Center Fire

This disruption is indefinite. This unprecedented move follows a Data Center Fire Halts License & Vehicle Services after the core server infrastructure was damaged during the protests that swept the capital.

The fire, which occurred at the Minbhawan data center on Bhadra 23 and 24, caused severe operational problems for the entire transport system.

System Failure at DoTM’s Core

The Department released an official notice on Friday confirming the complete halt of all services. The notice explicitly stated that the fire at their Minbhawan data center severely impacted the system.

This single data center manages the entire national infrastructure for the Electronic Driving License (EDL) and the Electronic Vehicle Registration System (EVRS).

Consequently, the damage forced the DoTM to discontinue all operations, including new applications, renewals, and the printing of licenses. This event highlights the critical vulnerability of centralized digital infrastructure in the face of physical threats.

The Extent of the Damage

Reports indicate the fire caused extensive damage to the DoTM’s electronic equipment, servers, and printing machines. Officials confirmed that the license printing machine, reportedly the only one in the country, was completely destroyed.

Nearly 20,000 pre-printed driver’s licenses were also lost, either burned or stolen during the unrest. The department is still assessing the total financial loss, but the destruction of core systems is a significant setback for the country’s digitization efforts.

The entire building is reportedly unfit for immediate use, further complicating the recovery process.

Services Remain Suspended Indefinitely

The Department of Transport Management has clearly stated that all online services related to driver’s licenses and vehicle registration will not resume until further notice.

Maintenance of the damaged server and the subsequent system reconstruction are ongoing. Due to the extent of the damage to the physical and digital infrastructure, the timeline for service restoration remains uncertain. For citizens, this suspension creates immediate difficulties.

Citizen Impact and Pending ServicesThis indefinite suspension means essential public services are unavailable:

• New License Applications: All new applications for driving licenses are on hold.
• Renewals and Transfers: The renewal of expiring licenses and the transfer of vehicle ownership titles are halted.
• License Printing: The printing and distribution of smart driving licenses have ceased entirely.
• Embossed Plate Implementation: The machinery for producing embossed number plates was also reportedly destroyed, casting uncertainty over the mandatory implementation of the new plate system.

Hundreds of thousands of citizens who applied for licenses or awaited their smart card prints face an indefinite wait. The department must now focus on securing replacement equipment and re-establishing connectivity to its backed-up data.

Future of DoTM Digital Services

While a disaster recovery site exists elsewhere, the Minbhawan data center served as the primary operational hub. The current situation underscores the urgent need for robust disaster recovery and business continuity planning for all government IT infrastructure.

The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport now faces the immense challenge of rapidly restoring a complex system that impacts nearly every vehicle owner and prospective driver in Nepal.

Data Center Fire Halts License & Vehicle Services Indefinitely is a stark reminder of the non-physical risks facing digital governance. Swift action and significant investment are required to restore these crucial public services and implement a more resilient IT architecture going forward.

The public anxiously awaits a definitive timeline for when the Vehicle Services will be reactivated and normality will return to the country’s transport management system.

For more: Data Center Fire