Driving licence

Who this page is for

For anyone who drives or plans to drive in Georgia: tourists, residents and people who do not yet have a licence.

Renting and buying a car and fines are explained in the transport section. Here we talk only about the licence.

Our role

Driving licences are issued by a state service, which also runs the tests.

We check the rule for your licence, prepare the documents and translation, arrange preparation and go with you, with an interpreter.

Three situations

First: you are in Georgia for a short time and drive on your own licence.

Second: you live here, hold residence and need to exchange your foreign licence for a Georgian one.

Third: you have no licence and are getting one in Georgia from scratch.

A tourist on their own licence

On a short visit, driving on a foreign licence is, as a rule, possible.

To what extent depends on which country issued the licence and what form it takes.

In some cases it is better to carry an international driving permit or a translation with the licence.

The international driving permit

An international permit is a translation of your national licence and is not valid without it.

It is issued in your own country before you travel - it cannot be obtained in Georgia.

If your licence is in a non-Latin alphabet, an international permit makes talking to the police much easier.

The language of the licence

The police and the rental company need to read the name, category and expiry on the licence.

A licence written in the Latin alphabet usually causes no problem.

A licence in another alphabet is best accompanied by an international permit or a notarised translation.

After residence

Once you obtain residence, a foreign licence often becomes valid for a limited period only.

After that period you often need a Georgian licence to drive.

We count the period from the day you receive your residence card and remind you in advance.

Exchanging for a Georgian licence

A foreign licence is exchanged for a Georgian one at a state service, on application.

The exchange rule depends on the country that issued the licence.

Some licences are exchanged without a test, others require one.

Exchange without a test

Licences from certain countries are often exchanged without a test, under international agreements.

In that case you need the licence, a translation, a medical certificate and an identity document.

The process is often completed in one or two visits.

Exchange with a test

If your country's licence is not exchanged directly, you may need a theory and a practical test.

For an experienced driver the practical test is usually not hard, but you need to know the local rules.

We arrange short preparation with an instructor, so that you get to know the test route and requirements.

Documents for the exchange

The original licence, its notarised translation, your passport or residence card.

A medical certificate in the prescribed form, and sometimes a photo.

If the licence is new, proof of a previous licence or driving experience is sometimes requested.

The medical certificate

A driving licence needs a medical certificate in the prescribed form, issued in Georgia.

The certificate is issued at a medical facility and often involves checks by several doctors.

We choose a clinic where the certificate is done in one visit, and go with you with an interpreter.

The original licence

In some cases the original foreign licence is surrendered on exchange or sent to the issuing country.

That means you can no longer drive on it at home until you get it back.

So we check in advance what will happen to the original and compare the rules of your country too.

Categories

A Georgian licence is divided into categories: car, motorcycle, truck, bus and others.

On exchange the same categories as on your licence usually carry over.

If your country marks categories differently, we check the equivalence in advance.

The theory test

The theory test is taken on a computer and checks your knowledge of the traffic rules.

The question bank is often available in advance, and preparation means working through it systematically.

In some cases the test is available in several languages - we check this before booking.

The practical test

The practical test is held first on a closed course, then in the city.

The examiner checks your handling of the car, manoeuvres and keeping to the rules in real traffic.

You go over the test centre's route with an instructor in advance.

The instructor

A good instructor knows what the examiner looks for and where people most often make mistakes.

We choose an instructor who works in your language or with an interpreter.

For an experienced driver a few lessons are often enough.

A licence from scratch

If you have no licence, you can get one in Georgia by passing the theory and practical tests.

A driving school combines teaching with preparation for the tests.

We choose a driving school by language, location and your schedule.

After the test

After a successful test the licence is often issued soon, sometimes the same day.

If you do not pass, you can usually retake the test after a certain period.

We go through the reason with the instructor, so that the second attempt goes calmly.

Validity and renewal

A Georgian licence has a validity period and is renewed at the end of it.

On renewal you may need a new medical certificate.

We remind you before it expires, so that you do not drive on an expired licence.

A lost licence

If a Georgian licence is lost, a duplicate is issued on application.

If a foreign licence is lost, only your country can issue a new one - often through its consulate.

In the meantime we check your right to drive and any temporary document in advance.

Offences and penalties

In Georgia traffic offences bring a fine and, in some cases, a restriction on the right to drive.

For a serious offence the licence can be taken away temporarily.

The same rules apply to holders of a foreign licence.

Alcohol

In Georgia the permitted limit for drink-driving is very low, and the penalties are strict.

Wine flows freely at a Georgian supra, and that needs planning of its own.

The simplest rule: after a supra - a driver or a taxi.

Seat belts and child seats

Seat belts are mandatory, and driving without one brings a fine.

Children need a seat suited to their age and weight.

When renting, we book a child seat in advance, because one is not always available.

Phones while driving

Talking on a handheld phone while driving is prohibited.

For navigation the phone should be in a holder, and the route set before you set off.

On mountain roads the signal is sometimes lost, so download the map in advance.

Mountain roads and winter

On mountain passes, snow, ice and temporary closures are normal in winter.

On some sections chains or winter tyres may be required in winter.

We check the road conditions on the day of travel in an official source, not the day before.

Driving at night

Outside the cities many roads are not lit at night.

Livestock - cows, sheep - often wander onto the road, especially near villages.

On a new route it is better to drive the first time in daylight.

The local driving style

The driving style in Georgia is often bolder than in many European countries: quick overtaking, short following distances.

In the first weeks defensive driving and a long following distance are the best protection.

One or two lessons in the city with an instructor quickly get you used to the local rhythm.

Speed

Speed limits differ in town, outside town and on highways, and are marked by signs.

Cameras measure speed on many sections, often without warning.

A navigation app that shows the limit spares a new driver from fines.

Parking

In large cities parking is often paid, by app or at a machine.

A car parked incorrectly risks a fine or being towed.

We explain the parking rules for your neighbourhood and set up the payment app with you.

In case of an accident

After an accident safety comes first: the warning triangle, the injured, the emergency number.

For insurance a police report is often needed, so the cars are not moved before the report, if that is safe.

We translate the Georgian report before you sign, so that you know exactly what you are signing.

Cameras and fines

There are cameras on many roads in Georgia, and fines are often issued electronically.

The fine goes to the car's owner, and with a rental the company passes it on to the driver.

Checking and paying fines is explained in the transport section.

Renting and your licence

Rental companies ask for a valid licence and often a minimum length of driving experience.

Some companies accept a non-Latin licence only together with an international permit.

We check the company's requirements before renting, so that there are no surprises on the spot.

Your own car

A licence is not in itself required to buy and register a car, but a valid licence is essential to drive it.

If you are a resident driving a Georgian car, the question of your licence's validity matters especially.

Buying and registering a car is explained in the transport section.

Insurance and your licence

Insurance often assumes a valid licence.

If your licence is no longer valid in Georgia, the insurance may not pay out.

So we keep track of your licence and insurance dates together.

Motorcycles and scooters

A motorcycle and some scooters need a separate category.

A car category does not, as a rule, allow you to ride a motorcycle.

When renting a scooter the company checks the category, and we explain this in advance.

Professional drivers

If you plan to work as a driver in Georgia - taxi, delivery, trucks - there may be extra requirements.

Often a Georgian licence, the right category and sometimes an extra permit are needed.

We plan work residence separately.

Your licence at home

When exchanging for a Georgian licence, it is worth thinking about how you will drive when you go home.

Some countries recognise a Georgian licence directly, others with an international permit.

We compare the rules of both countries, so that you are not left without the right to drive in either.

Driving abroad on a Georgian licence

With a Georgian licence you can drive for short periods in many countries, sometimes with an international permit.

A Georgian international permit is issued in Georgia and has to be obtained before you travel.

When driving to neighbouring countries we also check the border and insurance rules.

Age and experience

Some categories and some rental companies have a minimum age and length of experience.

Extra restrictions sometimes apply to a new driver.

An older driver may need a medical certificate more often on renewal.

Disabilities

If you need a specially adapted car to drive, this may be noted on the licence.

The medical certificate is especially important in this case.

We look separately for a specially adapted car to rent or buy.

Changing rules

The exchange rules and the list of countries change from time to time.

What went easily for a friend may work differently for your licence.

So we check the rule in an official source every time, for your licence's country.

Common mistakes

Driving after residence when the foreign licence's period has already run out.

Forgetting to get the international permit before arriving. An expired medical certificate.

Exchanging without checking what will happen to the original licence.

What we need from you

A copy of both sides of your licence and the country that issued it.

Your status in Georgia: tourist, residence, date of entry.

Which categories you need and in which language you want to prepare.

Price

State fees for the licence and the test are official.

Translation, the medical certificate, the instructor and the driving school are separate lines.

Our help is agreed in advance, and we add nothing to our partners' prices.