# Drug test in Georgia — can you refuse? Fines and rights The police may take you for a test to check for drug use. Avoiding the test is itself an offence — with a fine or administrative detention. We explain your rights, how the test works and how to challenge the result. - Confidential - Georgian · English · Russian - Free first consultation - Courts of all instances Under Article 45 of the Administrative Offences Code, avoiding a drug-use test is punished exactly like drug use itself (other than marijuana): a fine of GEL 500–2,000 or up to 60 days' administrative detention. Marijuana use is covered by a separate article (45¹). For drivers, avoiding the test is punished more harshly (Article 115²): GEL 1,000 and a 1-year suspension of driving rights; for taxi, bus or truck drivers, GEL 2,000 and 2 years. Driving under the influence of drugs is a crime (Criminal Code, Article 276(1)). ## How the test works - The police may take you to the MIA forensic department; you can refuse to be taken, but then you must take a lab test yourself within 4 hours — otherwise it counts as avoiding the test - If the result is positive, you can ask for an alternative test of the sealed control sample within 10 days - Sign the record only after reading it; if you disagree, write your objection - Someone who voluntarily hands over a small amount of drugs, or voluntarily seeks medical help for drug use, is released from liability ## Other consequences A court takes away the driving licence of a person punished for drug use for 3 years, and other listed rights for 5 years. So challenging the fine is often about much more than the money. ## Our services - Advice on your rights during a test - Requesting an alternative test - Appealing the administrative case in court - Challenging a driving suspension - Defence under Article 276 - Restoring rights ## Questions & answers ### Can I refuse a drug test? Refusing is itself an offence — GEL 500–2,000 or up to 60 days' detention, the same as for use. For drivers — GEL 1,000 and a 1-year driving ban. ### The positive result is wrong — what can I do? Within 10 days ask for an alternative test of the sealed control sample, and contact us — the result can also be challenged in court. ### Will I lose my driving licence? A court takes away the driving licence of a person punished for drug use for 3 years. ## Legal basis - [Code of Administrative Offences of Georgia](https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/28216) - [Criminal Code of Georgia](https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/16426) Official texts (in Georgian) — Legislative Herald of Georgia, matsne.gov.ge. ## Related topics - [#Criminal law](https://mmlaw.ge/en/criminal-defense-lawyer/) - [#Your rights](https://mmlaw.ge/en/blog/what-to-do-if-detained/) - - [Criminal defence lawyer](https://mmlaw.ge/en/criminal-defense-lawyer/) - - [Cybercrime lawyer](https://mmlaw.ge/en/cybercrime-lawyer/) - - [Juvenile lawyer in Georgia: legal help for minors](https://mmlaw.ge/en/juvenile-justice-lawyer/) - - [Detained in Georgia? Your rights and what to do](https://mmlaw.ge/en/blog/what-to-do-if-detained/) - - [Police search in Georgia: your rights and what to do](https://mmlaw.ge/en/blog/police-search-your-rights/) - - [Fraud charges in Georgia: penalties and your defence](https://mmlaw.ge/en/blog/fraud-charges-in-georgia/) - - [Theft charges in Georgia: penalties and your rights](https://mmlaw.ge/en/blog/theft-charges-in-georgia/) - - [Domestic violence charges in Georgia: what to know](https://mmlaw.ge/en/blog/domestic-violence-charges-georgia/) Practice areas ## Other practice areas - [Criminal defense](https://mmlaw.ge/en/criminal-defense-lawyer/) — Defense at every stage — from investigation and arrest to trial and appeal. - [Drug offences](https://mmlaw.ge/en/drug-crime-lawyer/) — Defence in cases of buying, possessing, selling and importing drugs — and against fines and administrative detention. - [Cybercrime](https://mmlaw.ge/en/cybercrime-lawyer/) — Defense in cybercrime cases and help for victims of online fraud, hacked accounts and blackmail. - [Property crimes](https://mmlaw.ge/en/property-crime-lawyer/) — Defence in theft, robbery, fraud, extortion, embezzlement and misappropriation cases. - [Economic crimes](https://mmlaw.ge/en/economic-crime-lawyer/) — Defence against tax evasion, money laundering, customs and other economic charges. - [Corruption and official crimes](https://mmlaw.ge/en/corruption-crime-lawyer/) — Defence in bribery, trading in influence and abuse of official power cases. - [Violent crimes](https://mmlaw.ge/en/violent-crime-lawyer/) — Defence in assault, bodily injury, threats and homicide cases — including self-defence. - [Juvenile justice](https://mmlaw.ge/en/juvenile-justice-lawyer/) — Specialised representation of minors, focused on their rights and future. - [Civil litigation](https://mmlaw.ge/en/civil-litigation-lawyer/) — Contract, property and damages disputes — negotiated or argued in court. - [Administrative law](https://mmlaw.ge/en/administrative-law-lawyer/) — Challenging decisions of public bodies, fines, permits and licences. - [Labor disputes](https://mmlaw.ge/en/employment-lawyer/) — Unlawful dismissal, unpaid wages and employment contracts — for employees and employers. - [Corporate law](https://mmlaw.ge/en/corporate-lawyer/) — Company formation, contracts, compliance and shareholder matters. - [Real estate](https://mmlaw.ge/en/real-estate-lawyer/) — Due diligence, purchase agreements, registration and property disputes. - [Family law](https://mmlaw.ge/en/family-lawyer/) — Divorce, custody, alimony and division of property — handled with discretion. - [Inheritance](https://mmlaw.ge/en/inheritance-lawyer/) — Accepting an inheritance, the certificate of inheritance, wills and disputes between heirs. - [Intellectual property](https://mmlaw.ge/en/intellectual-property-lawyer/) — Trademarks, copyright and protection of your creative and business assets. --- Source: https://mmlaw.ge/en/drug-test-georgia/ · MMLAW · +995 551 00 43 00 · info@mmlaw.ge