KATHMANDU: The Security Printing Center has handed over 3,082 driver’s licenses to the Department of Transport Management (DoTM) as part of its ongoing printing programme.

The latest batch of 1,150 licenses was delivered on Monday under the third phase of printing. In total, the department had forwarded the details of 4,200 applicants to the center for processing.

Keshav Khatri, Director of Information and Technology at the DoTM, said the center had earlier supplied 519 licences in the first phase and 1,413 in the second. Each batch is verified and updated by the department before distribution.

Khatri acknowledged minor errors in the newly launched printing system, noting that some technical limitations require manual correction. “For instance, the system cannot process names longer than 30 characters. Our engineers are monitoring such issues,” he said.

The DoTM has been updating applicants about licence distribution through its official Facebook page.

The licence printing agreement between the department and the Security Printing Center was signed on 29 October, requiring the center to deliver 1.2 million licences within six months. The printing operation was formally launched on 2 November by Communications and Information Technology Minister Jagdish Kharel at the center’s Panauti facility.

The first batch of 500 urgent licenses delayed earlier due to the Gen-Z protest was sent for printing in early November. After technical checks, the center returned 519 licenses on 21 November, though only a limited number were immediately ready for distribution.

At present, only urgent licences are being processed. “There are still errors that need to be addressed, but we expect to begin bulk printing gradually,” Khatri said.

Despite initial delays, officials say the center is capable of efficient production, and the department remains confident the six-month deadline will be met. Meanwhile, the DoTM has begun procuring a permanent server to replace its temporary system, which has caused recurrent service disruptions.

“We have sought market quotations for a permanent server. Once purchased, the department will move ahead with the contract,” Khatri added.