Driving Permit for Georgia
Driving in Georgia with a foreign licence: right-hand traffic, licences valid up to 12 months, and when you need a 1968 IDP — rental desk rules, the 0.03% alcohol limit and winter-road requirements.
- Drive on
- Right
- Convention
- 1949 + 1968
- IDP validity
- 12 months
- Processing time
- 24-48 hours
Do you need an IDP to drive in Georgia?
Georgia — the Caucasus country at the crossroads of Europe and Asia — drives on the right and is a contracting party to the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, so it recognises the 1968-format International Driving Permit. Visitors can typically drive on their home licence for up to 12 months from entry, and the UK government's official guidance lists Georgia as a 1968-IDP country, with an IDP needed for stays longer than 90 days. If your licence is printed in the Latin alphabet it is widely accepted on its own; if it is not, an IDP or certified translation is essential to rent a car and drive legally.
At the rental desk the picture is pragmatic. Small local operators in Tbilisi and Batumi frequently rent on a national licence alone, while international chains and some agencies insist on an IDP, so confirm requirements before you travel. Georgian police rarely demand an IDP at routine stops, but after an accident or when making an insurance claim the permit's standardised translation can decide whether your paperwork is accepted. Always carry your physical licence card — digital driving licences may not be recognised in Georgia.
Local rules reward caution. The blood-alcohol limit is a strict 0.03%, seat belts are compulsory for the driver and front passenger, and speed and red-light cameras are widespread. There are currently no toll roads or vignettes — Georgia's highways and tunnels are free to use. Winter tyres are mandatory on designated mountain roads from 1 December to 1 March, and many high-altitude routes close entirely from late autumn until late spring, so plan mountain itineraries around the season.
Georgia recognises the IDP under both the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Conventions.
Georgia is a signatory to both the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Conventions. In practice, an IDP issued by another signatory country is recognised for your permitted visitor stay — in Georgia, plan on 12 months.
What you need to drive in Georgia
Have these ready before you pick up the keys.
Valid original national driving licence — carry the physical card, as digital licences may not be recognised
1968-convention IDP recommended; effectively required if your licence is not in Latin characters (it serves as the official translation)
Minimum rental age is typically 21 with at least 1 year of driving experience; some local firms rent from 18 with adjusted insurance terms
Rental cars come with basic insurance — confirm coverage details with the agency before pick-up
Georgia is a contracting party to the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic and recognises the 1968-format IDP
Foreign driving licences are typically valid for up to 12 months from your date of entry; UK guidance advises a 1968 IDP for stays over 90 days
There are no toll roads or vignettes — all public roads and tunnels in Georgia are currently free to use
The blood-alcohol limit is 0.03%, one of the stricter limits in the region — treat it as near-zero tolerance
Winter tyres are mandatory on designated mountain roads from 1 December to 1 March, and many high passes close from late October to May
Digital driving licences may not be recognised in Georgia — always travel with your physical licence card
What to know before you turn the key
Georgia drives on the right — the driver sits on the left, and roundabouts flow anti-clockwise.
Carry your IDP and your original license together — rental desks and police checks will ask for both documents.
Small local rental firms in Tbilisi often accept a national licence alone, but international chains such as Hertz and Sixt may insist on an IDP — confirm before travel
Police rarely demand an IDP at routine stops, but it can be decisive after an accident or for an insurance claim
There are no toll roads or vignettes in Georgia; winter tyres are mandatory on designated mountain roads from 1 December to 1 March
Georgia enforces traffic law with widespread speed and red-light cameras, and fines are issued electronically. Driving without a valid licence — or without the IDP/translation a non-Latin licence requires — can lead to fines and voided insurance, and exceeding the 0.03% alcohol limit carries severe penalties including licence suspension.
Local rules to watch in Georgia
Low-emission zones, tolls, and city-specific rules that catch visiting drivers out.
Tbilisi: the main rental hub, with airport and city pick-up widely available — expect dense traffic and assertive local driving in the capital
Batumi: the Black Sea coast's rental hub, busiest in the summer season
Gudauri/Stepantsminda (Kazbegi): the Georgian Military Highway is a high mountain road — winter tyres are mandatory in season and the pass can close in heavy snow
Signs you'll meet on the road
Eight internationally recognised signs — including which side of the road Georgia keeps.
Common questions about driving in Georgia
Drive Georgia, confidently.
Apply online in minutes and get instant digital access to your IDP translation — with an IDP PVC card option if you want one in your wallet.