Nepal Adopts QR-Based Smart Driving Licence with Offline Verification and Multi-Layer Security

Kathmandu. The government has announced that a new smart driving license equipped with enhanced security features is being printed through the Security Printing Center. In a statement, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology said the license complies with the international ISO 7810 ID-1 standard and is designed in the globally accepted credit card-sized format.

According to the ministry, the adoption of technology long used in developed countries is expected to make Nepal’s vehicle management system more secure and reliable.

The statement further explains that, due to inadequate infrastructure and limited availability of card readers required to fully utilize the earlier ‘smart chip’ system, as well as concerns over dependence on foreign technical expertise, the government has now shifted to Intelligent QR (I-QR) technology. 

Officials say the system features encrypted, layered, and copy-protected coding. Its key feature is offline authentication, allowing traffic police and other authorities to scan the card and instantly verify a driver’s identity and license details without requiring internet access.

From a security standpoint, the new smart driving license incorporates 39 distinct security features, organized across three levels. The first level includes visible metallic silver ink and a machine-readable zone (MRZ). 

The second level consists of security systems such as invisible ultraviolet (UV) ink and infrared absorption, which can only be detected using specialized equipment. 

The third, or forensic level, incorporates advanced security such as digital signatures and proprietary electro-ink that are verifiable only in laboratory conditions, ensuring each card remains unique and highly resistant to forgery.

According to the Ministry, the entire production process operates in an end-to-end offline system, which officials say eliminates the risk of data leakage or unauthorized access. The QR code embedded in the license is also designed to remain valid throughout the card’s lifespan. 

The government further claims that the system is not only cost-effective but also strengthens the protection of citizens’ personal data and privacy

Authorities have also outlined plans to expand the same secure printing infrastructure for other official documents, including postal stamps, citizenship certificates, internal revenue stickers, land ownership certificates, visa stickers, and university degrees.
 

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