Here's the thing about driving in Georgia: the country makes it remarkably easy for foreigners to get behind the wheel. Your foreign license works for a full year. The test — if you need one — is straightforward. And a Georgian license is valid for 15 years.
But there are traps. The license exchange process requires an obscure apostilled document from your home country that trips up almost everyone. The theory test has over 1,000 possible questions. And since May 2025, new residency requirements mean you can't just fly in and take the exam anymore.
This guide covers all three paths: driving on your foreign license, exchanging it for a Georgian one, and taking the test from scratch. Pick whichever applies to you.
Can I Drive on My Foreign License?
Yes — and it's simpler than most countries. A foreigner can legally drive in Georgia for one year from their last entry into the country. That's it. No international driving permit required (though carrying one doesn't hurt). No special registration. Just your valid foreign license and your passport.
The 1-Year Clock Resets on Each Entry
If your passport shows your last entry was less than a year ago, you're legally covered. Some long-term expats use "visa runs" to reset this clock — a short trip to Turkey or Armenia and back. It works in practice, but it's a grey area legally. If you're staying long-term, get a Georgian license.
A few important points about using your foreign license:
| Situation | Can You Drive? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist (under 1 year) | Yes | Valid foreign license required |
| Residence permit holder (under 1 year from entry) | Yes | Residence permit doesn't extend the 1-year limit |
| Over 1 year since last entry | No | Must exchange or take the test |
| Foreign license expired | No | Must take the Georgian test |
| Dual citizen (Georgian + foreign) | Yes, up to 1 year | Can also work as a driver during this period |
Exchange vs. Test: Which Path Is Right for You?
If you already have a valid foreign license, you have two options to get a Georgian one: exchange it directly (no test required) or take the Georgian driving exam. Here's how they compare:
🔄 License Exchange
Swap your foreign license for a Georgian one. No test.
- ✅ No theory or practical exam
- ✅ Same-day processing (15-20 min)
- ✅ Only 16 GEL in fees
- ❌ Must surrender your foreign license
- ❌ Requires apostilled document from home country
- ❌ Document gathering can take weeks/months
📝 Take the Test
Pass theory + practical exams. Keep your foreign license.
- ✅ Keep your original foreign license
- ✅ No apostilled documents needed
- ✅ Test available in English
- ❌ Must study 1,000+ theory questions
- ❌ Three exams (theory, field, city)
- ❌ 185-day residency requirement (since May 2025)
Our Recommendation
If you don't mind surrendering your foreign license and can get the apostilled document from your home country, the exchange is faster and easier. If getting apostilled documents is complicated (looking at you, US and UK), or you want to keep your original license, just take the test. It's genuinely not that hard.
Path 1: Exchanging Your Foreign License
The exchange itself is quick — walk in, submit documents, walk out with a Georgian license in 20 minutes. The hard part is gathering the paperwork beforehand. Here's what you need:
Required Documents
| Document | Details | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | Translated and notarized in Georgia. If you have a residence permit, translation isn't needed. | ~30-50 GEL |
| Original foreign license | Must be valid. You will surrender it permanently. | — |
| Official notice from home country | Must be apostilled/legalized, translated, and notarized. Valid for only 90 days after issue. | Varies widely |
| Medical certificate (Form 100/a) | Basic health check. Valid for 180 days. Available at most clinics. | 15-25 GEL |
| Service Agency fee | Paid at the bank inside the Service Agency building. | 16 GEL |
The Apostilled Document Is the Hard Part
The "official notice" from your home country must confirm: (1) when your license was issued, (2) which categories it covers with detailed specs, (3) any restrictions, and (4) whether it has ever been suspended. The Georgian Service Agency is rigid about this — if any of these points are missing, they'll reject it. Even if your license was never suspended, the document must explicitly say so. Contact your embassy or home country's driving authority well in advance.
Steps
1. Gather Documents
Get the apostilled notice from your home country (allow 2-8 weeks). Get passport translated. Get medical certificate.
2. Visit the Service Agency
Go to the Ministry of Internal Affairs Service Agency. Main office: Tbilisi, near Liberty Square.
3. Submit & Pay
Submit all documents. Pay the 16 GEL fee at the bank window inside the building.
4. Receive Your License
If approved, you'll get your Georgian license in approximately 15-20 minutes. Done.
Path 2: Taking the Georgian Driving Test
If you'd rather keep your foreign license, or if getting the apostilled document is impractical, you can take the full Georgian driving exam. It has three parts: theory, field driving, and city driving.
New Rule Since May 2025: 185-Day Residency Requirement
Foreigners must now prove they've been legally present in Georgia for at least 185 calendar days within the 12 months before applying. You can no longer fly in and take the exam on a short visit. This is verified through border crossing records.
The Theory Test
The theory exam has 30 questions drawn from a bank of 1,000+ possible questions, organized into 32 categories. You can make a maximum of 3 mistakes. You have 30 minutes, which is more than enough.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Questions | 30 (from 1,000+ pool) |
| Max mistakes | 3 |
| Time limit | 30 minutes |
| Languages | Georgian, English, Russian (some translation inaccuracies in English) |
| Format | Touchscreen computer, 6 stations per room |
| Cost | 57 GEL |
| Practice resource | drv.ge or teoria.on.ge |
What to bring to the theory exam:
- Passport (they can translate it on-site for 6 GEL)
- Medical certificate — Form 100/a (15-25 GEL from any clinic, checks height, weight, vision)
- SMS confirmation with your exam registration number
- Your address in Georgia (Airbnb counts)
Study tips from people who've passed:
- Use drv.ge — it has all the practice questions in multiple languages
- Dedicate 1-2 weeks of focused study. 3-4 hours on the last two days before the exam, drilling practice tests
- Write down every question you get wrong and review them separately
- Some English translations are awkward — when in doubt, the road sign image usually makes the answer obvious
- You'll see your results immediately on screen after each answer
Booking the Theory Exam
This is where it gets annoying. Exam slots fill up within minutes of being published. New dates appear every two weeks, usually on Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM. You need to be ready to book the moment they drop.
You'll need a Georgian bank card to pay (foreign cards often don't work) and a Georgian phone number for the SMS confirmation. If you don't have these yet, ask a local friend to help.
Booking links:
Smaller Cities = Faster Booking
Tbilisi exam slots are extremely competitive. Consider booking in Batumi, Rustavi, or Kutaisi where there's less demand. Some people go to smaller cities specifically for this reason — it's worth the trip.
The Practical Driving Exam
After passing the theory, you need to pass two practical tests: a field test (driving exercises) and a city driving test.
Field Test (Part 1)
The field test takes place in a designated practice area. You'll perform six maneuvers in a Skoda Fabia:
| Exercise | What They Test |
|---|---|
| Parallel parking | Precision and spatial awareness |
| Hill start (handbrake) | Stop on incline, start without rolling back |
| Reverse garage parking | Backing into a defined space |
| Figure 8 | Steering control and smooth turning |
| Direction change (U-turn) | Three-point turn in limited space |
| Zigzag driving | Navigating a slalom course |
You start with 100 points. Mistakes deduct points, and you fail if you drop below 61. The entire process is automated — sensors and cameras decide, not the officer. This actually makes it fairer than many countries' driving tests.
Manual Transmission
1 free attempt per week. Extra attempts: 31 GEL each. License has no restriction.
Automatic Transmission
No free attempts — 40 GEL per try. License marked "automatic only." Think twice if you'll drive in Europe.
City Driving Test (Part 2)
Added in April 2022, this is a 40-minute drive through actual city streets. The criteria are strict — even minor mistakes can end the test immediately. Routes are pre-determined (7-8 possible routes in bigger cities, 2-4 in smaller ones).
| Option | Cost | Wait Time |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled appointment | 90 GEL | 3-4 weeks after passing field test |
| Live queue (same day) | 252 GEL | Same day or within a few days |
Total Cost Breakdown
Taking the Test (Budget Path)
License Exchange Path
Getting Driving Lessons
Even experienced drivers should take a few lessons before the practical exam. Georgian driving instructors know the exact tricks for each exercise — like when to turn the wheel during parallel parking based on which column appears in your mirror. These shortcuts make the difference between passing and failing.
| Option | Cost per Lesson | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private instructor | 25 GEL (~$9) | Find through Facebook groups or word of mouth |
| Driving school | 40 GEL (~$15) | More structured, often have field practice access |
| Theory instructor (Zoom) | Varies | For complicated theory questions. Optional. |
Most foreigners take 4-6 lessons and that's enough to pass. Focus on the field test exercises — the city driving test is more about knowing traffic rules and staying calm than any specific technique.
After You Get Your License
Once you pass the city driving test (or complete the exchange), here's what you need to know:
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| License validity (AM, A, B, BE) | 15 years |
| License validity (C, D categories) | 5 years |
| Same-day license issuance | 55 GEL |
| Standard license (wait 3 days) | Free |
| International Driving Permit | 110 GEL (same day, 3-year validity) |
| Categories included | AM (mopeds) + B (cars) typically issued together |
What Driving in Georgia Is Actually Like
Getting the license is the easy part. Actually driving here is... an experience. Let's be honest about it.
The good: Traffic is not as bad as people say (outside of rush hour). Parking is cheap or free in most areas. Fuel prices are reasonable. The Georgian Military Highway and roads to Kakheti are beautiful drives. Bolt (ride-hailing) means you don't really need a car in Tbilisi.
The challenging: Georgian drivers are aggressive by European standards. Lane markings are suggestions. Pedestrians cross wherever they feel like it. Rural roads can be in poor condition. Tbilisi rush hour (8-10 AM, 5-7 PM) is genuinely awful — what should be a 15-minute drive becomes 45 minutes.
🚗 You Need a Car If...
You live outside central Tbilisi, want to explore the countryside on weekends, have kids, or live in a smaller city where public transport is limited.
🚌 You Don't Need a Car If...
You live in central Tbilisi, work from home, and are happy using Bolt (cheap by Western standards — most rides under 10 GEL).
Buying a Car in Georgia
If you're getting a license, you're probably thinking about buying a car. Quick overview:
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Where to buy | myauto.ge (Georgia's main car marketplace) |
| Registration | Done at Service Agency. Foreigners can register cars. |
| Insurance | Not mandatory but strongly recommended. ~200-500 GEL/year for basic coverage. |
| Technical inspection | Required annually. ~50 GEL. |
| Fuel prices | ~3.0-3.5 GEL/liter (roughly $1.10-1.30) |
Common Mistakes Expats Make
Driving over 1 year without a Georgian license
If police stop you and your last entry was over a year ago, you're driving illegally. The fine isn't huge, but it's not worth the hassle.
Not getting the apostilled document right
The Service Agency will reject your exchange if the document is incomplete. It must explicitly state no suspensions, even if there were none.
Waiting too long to book the theory exam
Slots fill up in minutes. Set an alarm for Sunday 9 AM when new dates drop. Or book in a smaller city.
Choosing automatic when you should choose manual
Automatic-only restriction gets stamped on your license. Fine if you'll only drive in Georgia. Problem if you want to rent cars in Europe.
Skipping driving lessons before the field test
Even experienced drivers fail the field test without knowing the specific tricks for each exercise. 4 lessons = 100 GEL. Worth it.
Trying to pay with a foreign bank card
Exam booking often requires a Georgian bank card. Get one first (or ask a local friend to help).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an international driving permit to drive in Georgia?
No. Your regular foreign license is sufficient for the first year. An IDP is a nice-to-have for extra insurance but not legally required.
Can I use a Georgian license in other countries?
The Georgian license follows Vienna and Geneva conventions. Combined with an International Driving Permit (110 GEL, valid 3 years), it's recognized in most countries. Check with your destination country.
What if I fail the theory test?
You start the entire booking process again. Since slots fill up fast, this could delay you by weeks. Study hard and pass the first time.
Can I get my foreign license back after exchanging it?
No. When you exchange, you surrender your foreign license permanently. If you want to keep it, take the test instead.
Is the "visa run" trick legal for resetting the 1-year driving clock?
It's a grey area. The law says "1 year from last entry," and a new entry stamp technically resets it. But authorities may scrutinize this if you've been mostly in Georgia for years. For long-term residents, just get the Georgian license.
Written by The Georgia Expats Team
We've been through the Georgian driving license process ourselves — both the exchange and the test. This guide reflects real experience navigating the Service Agency, booking exam slots, and learning the field test tricks from local instructors.
Last updated: February 2026.
Related Articles
Daily Life in Tbilisi
SIM cards, transport, groceries, apps — the practical stuff.
Banking in Georgia
You'll need a Georgian bank card to book the exam.
Moving to Georgia: Relocation Checklist
The complete step-by-step for your first weeks.
Cost of Living in Tbilisi
Real numbers for rent, transport, and daily expenses.