# Driving in Georgia on a foreign licence — the rules A foreigner can drive in Georgia on their national licence, but not indefinitely — for 1 year from their last entry. After that you need to exchange it for a Georgian licence or get a Georgian one. We help prepare the documents and defend you in fine and driving-ban cases. - Confidential - Georgian · English · Russian - Free first consultation - Courts of all instances You can drive on a foreign licence until it expires, but for no more than 1 year from your last entry into Georgia. If the licence isn't in Latin or Georgian letters, you also need a certified translation. A residence permit doesn't change this period. After the year, driving on a foreign licence can count as driving without a licence — a GEL 500 fine, and within a year repeatedly, GEL 1,500 or up to 15 days' administrative detention (Administrative Offences Code, Article 121). ## Exchanging a foreign licence - No exam needed — exchange the licence before it expires - Apply to the MIA Service Agency — in person - You need: an application, passport or residence card, the foreign licence, a confirmation from the issuing country with an apostille or legalisation, a medical certificate and payment of the fee - The issuing country's confirmation must be no older than 90 days when submitted - The foreign licence loses its force and is handed to the Agency - The category must match the 1949 Geneva or 1968 Vienna Conventions or EU rules ## Getting a Georgian licence - Theory and practical exams; for category B from age 18 a driving school is not compulsory - Since 27 May 2025 foreigners are admitted to the exam with a residence card or proof of at least 185 days' lawful stay in Georgia in the last 12 months - Besides Georgian, the theory test is available in English, Russian, Turkish, Azerbaijani and Armenian ## Our services - Documents and apostille for exchanging a foreign licence - Checking the conditions for a Georgian licence - Appealing a fine for driving without a licence - Suspension and withdrawal of driving rights - Traffic accident cases - Translating and legalising documents ## Questions & answers ### Can I drive in Georgia on my own country's licence? Yes — until it expires, but for no more than 1 year from your last entry into Georgia. A licence not in Latin or Georgian letters needs a certified translation. ### Do I have to take an exam to exchange my licence? No. The exchange is done without an exam if the licence is valid and you submit the issuing country's confirmation. ### What is the fine for driving without a licence? GEL 500; repeatedly within a year — GEL 1,500 or up to 15 days' administrative detention. ### In which languages is the theory test available? Besides Georgian — English, Russian, Turkish, Azerbaijani, Armenian, Abkhaz and Ossetian. ## Legal basis - [Law on Road Traffic](https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/2169396) - [Code of Administrative Offences of Georgia](https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/28216) Official texts (in Georgian) — Legislative Herald of Georgia, matsne.gov.ge. Related practice area: [Administrative law](https://mmlaw.ge/en/administrative-law-lawyer/) ## Related topics - [#For foreigners](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/) - [#Your rights](https://mmlaw.ge/en/blog/what-to-do-if-detained/) - - [Criminal cases · For foreigners](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/criminal-defense-for-foreigners/) - - [Foreigner arrested in Georgia: rights and first steps](https://mmlaw.ge/en/blog/foreigner-arrested-in-georgia/) - - [Buying property · For foreigners](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/buying-property-in-georgia/) - - [Company & business · For foreigners](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/company-registration-in-georgia/) - - [Residence permits · For foreigners](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/residence-permit-in-georgia/) - - [Family cases · For foreigners](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/family-law-for-foreigners/) - - [Residence permits in Georgia: which type do you need?](https://mmlaw.ge/en/blog/residence-permit-types-georgia/) - - [Refused entry to Georgia: reasons and what to do](https://mmlaw.ge/en/blog/refused-entry-to-georgia/) For foreigners ## How we can help - [Criminal cases](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/criminal-defense-for-foreigners/) — Defense if you are detained or charged — with an interpreter and contact with your consulate. - [Immigration cases](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/immigration-lawyer-georgia/) — Refused entry, overstays, deportation and appeals against residence-permit refusals — fast and in your language. - [Buying property](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/buying-property-in-georgia/) — Check the property, sign a safe contract and register ownership — in person or remotely. - [Disputes with developers](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/disputes-with-developers/) — Construction is late, the developer won't refund, or the flat is mortgaged — we protect the buyer's interests. - [Company & business](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/company-registration-in-georgia/) — LLC registration in Georgia for foreigners from 1 800 ₾, a virtual business address and bank account opening — in person or remotely. - [Work permit & sole trader](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/work-permit-and-sole-trader/) — The right to work, registering as an individual entrepreneur, the 1% small business tax and the right residence permit. - [Residence permits](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/residence-permit-in-georgia/) — Work, business, property, family and investment residence permits — applications, extensions and appeals. - [Family cases](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/family-law-for-foreigners/) — International divorce, children and alimony, recognition of foreign decisions. - [IT companies and IT specialists](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/it-companies-in-georgia/) — Three tax regimes for IT in Georgia: 1% sole trader, virtual zone and 5% international company — conditions and the 2026 change. - [Gambling licence](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/gambling-licence-georgia/) — Casino, slots, betting and online permits in Georgia: who can get one, the conditions and what operators may not do. - [Georgian citizenship for foreigners](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/georgian-citizenship-for-foreigners/) — The ordinary route (10 years), through marriage (5 years), the exceptional route and the rule for those born in Georgia — until 2027. - [Marriage in Georgia for foreigners](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/marriage-in-georgia-for-foreigners/) — How foreigners marry in Georgia: conditions, documents, apostille, translation, witnesses and using the marriage certificate abroad. - [Bank account for non-residents](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/bank-account-in-georgia-for-foreigners/) — How a foreigner opens a personal or business account at a Georgian bank, what the bank asks for, why it refuses and how to prepare. - [Tax residency in Georgia](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/tax-residency-georgia/) — When you become a Georgian tax resident, the residence certificate, HNWI status and the exemption for foreign income. - [Double tax treaties](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/double-tax-treaties-georgia/) — Georgia's 58 double tax treaties: how they work, dual residency and the rates with the UK, Germany and the US. - [Crypto: tax and VASP registration](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/crypto-in-georgia/) — An individual's crypto income is tax-exempt; a crypto business needs National Bank VASP registration and capital. - [Checking a Georgian company](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/checking-a-georgian-company/) — Before you pay or sign with a Georgian company: business registry, pledges, debtors register, court cases and tax debt. - [Land for foreigners](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/can-foreigners-buy-land-in-georgia/) — Foreigners can buy non-agricultural land; agricultural land only through inheritance or an investment plan. --- Source: https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/driving-licence-georgia-foreigners/ · MMLAW · +995 551 00 43 00 · info@mmlaw.ge