Pathao introduces compulsory online training and 80% exam pass requirement for new riders as digital system rolls out nationwide

KATHMANDU: Ride-sharing platform Pathao Nepal has enforced a new, mandatory digital training and examination system for all aspiring riders as part of a broader overhaul of its safety and onboarding standards. The company announced that the revamped system—designed to ensure higher professional accountability, safer mobility, and improved service reliability—will now require riders to score at least 80% on an online test before becoming eligible to operate on the platform.

According to Pathao Director Sushrika Hamal, the company had been conducting classroom-based training since its inception. But with Pathao’s rapid expansion outside Kathmandu and growing rider demand in major cities across Nepal, the onboarding process has been converted into a digital, app-based system aimed at standardizing safety and service protocols nationwide.

Under the new system—implemented through the Learning Management System (LMS) integrated inside the Pathao Drive App—those seeking to join the platform must first complete essential documentation. This includes presenting a Bluebook, a valid driving license, and third-party insurance, all of which remain compulsory for verification.

Once the required documents are uploaded through the Drive App, Pathao will review them within 24 hours. If approved, the applicant is granted access to the digital training module. After completing the module, candidates must sit for a computer-based exam conducted directly through the app.

“The exam is now an integral part of our onboarding process,” Hamal said. “Safety is not optional for us; it is the backbone of our service. The mandatory 80% pass requirement strengthens Pathao’s long-term commitment to responsible, professional and safe ride-sharing across Nepal.”

If an applicant fails the exam, they will be allowed to retake the training and sit for the test again the following day. Pathao’s internal data shows that around 85% of applicants pass on their first attempt, while most of the remaining candidates qualify after re-attempts.

The company believes the digital transformation will modernize Nepal’s ride-sharing ecosystem while improving rider competency. Hamal noted that the shift has already boosted interest in new registrations.

Digital onboarding expected to improve safety, reliability, and user experience

Pathao’s new digital system makes onboarding fully contactless and reduces the need for applicants to visit physical offices—an important benefit as the company scales beyond the Kathmandu Valley. With Nepal’s technology adoption and smartphone usage rising sharply, the move aligns with broader national trends, including the government’s digital transformation agenda.

The digital training module covers key safety protocols, customer service standards, traffic rules, emergency response guidelines, and operational best practices. The exam evaluates a rider’s understanding of safe mobility practices and company policies aimed at minimizing risks on the road.

For customers, Pathao argues that the new system will lead to better compliance, higher service quality, and improved trust, particularly at a time when demand for ride-sharing has surged in Kathmandu and other urban centers.

Pathao riders earning an average of Rs 40,000–50,000 per month

The company’s internal figures show that many full-time active riders earn Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000 per month, reinforcing the platform’s role as a growing source of urban employment. With rising fuel prices, inflation, and Nepal’s youth unemployment challenges, ride-sharing platforms like Pathao continue to provide alternative income streams, contributing to Nepal’s urban gig economy.

The introduction of digital onboarding is also expected to attract more riders from outside Kathmandu, particularly as the platform expands its presence in Pokhara, Chitwan, Butwal, and other major commercial hubs.

Pathao aims to make every ride “safe, reliable, and responsible”

Hamal emphasized that digital onboarding is part of a broader operational overhaul meant to enhance accountability and ensure safety standards remain consistent across all service areas.

“With growing demand and expanding service areas, we have made our rider evaluation more structured, effective and transparent,” she said. “Every journey we offer must be safe, reliable and responsible. This new system is a key step toward achieving that.”

Pathao Nepal—one of the country’s largest ride-sharing platforms—has been strengthening safety campaigns, partnering with insurance providers, and upgrading its technology infrastructure as competition grows in Nepal’s ride-sharing and mobility market. The move also positions the company strongly within the evolving digital business landscape, where compliance, professionalism, and user trust are becoming central to competitive advantage.

As Nepal’s urban mobility increasingly shifts toward tech-driven services, Pathao’s mandatory digital training and exam requirement marks a significant transformation in how ride-sharing companies operate—setting a new industry benchmark in safety, digital service delivery, and rider professionalism within Nepal’s growing digital economy.