Cars and driving licencesFor drivers and people importing a car
Licence and car in Georgia: a year on yours, then exchange
Foreign licences are valid for a year from your last entry. Since 2 April 2026, car import excise is higher: 1.5 ₾ per cm³ up to 6 years old, 4.5 ₾ if older.
In short
- Your own licence
- A year from your last entry, unless the licence itself expires sooner
- Exchange without an exam
- Confirmation from the issuing country with an apostille or legalisation, no older than 90 days, and a medical certificate form IV-100/a. Fee: 15 ₾
- Exam in Georgia
- Since 27 May 2025, only with a residence permit or after 185 days of legal stay in the last 12 months
- Import excise
- Since 2 April 2026: 1.5 ₾ per cm³ for cars up to and including 6 years old, 4.5 ₾ per cm³ for older cars
- Right-hand drive
- The rate is three times higher: 4.5 ₾ per cm³ up to 6 years old, 13.5 ₾ if older. The same applies if the steering wheel has been moved
- Electric cars and hybrids
- Left-hand-drive electric car: no excise. Right-hand drive: 3,000 ₾. Left-hand-drive hybrid up to 6 years old: 0.6 ₾ per cm³
Importing a car: excise
Age 6 years · 1.5 ₾ per cm³3,000 ₾≈ $1,153
Excise only. Check customs duty and VAT with a broker.
Driving licence: what to do
- Drive on your own licence
For a year from your last entry, as long as the licence itself has not expired.
- Prepare documents for the exchange
A confirmation from the issuing country with an apostille or legalisation, no older than 90 days. Have it translated into Georgian and certified by a notary. Get a medical certificate form IV-100/a.
- Exchange your licence
At any Service Agency office, in person. No exam is needed, and the licence is issued in a few minutes.
15 ₾
Documents
0 of 5 ready ·Check the exact list on the portal before applying: it changes.
FAQ · 6
How long is my licence valid?
1 year from your last entry, unless the licence itself expires sooner. After that, you need to exchange it for a Georgian one.
How much does a licence exchange cost?
15 ₾. The new licence is issued in a few minutes at any Service Agency office.
Can I take the driving exam in Georgia?
Yes, if you have a residence permit or have stayed in Georgia legally for at least 185 days in the last 12 months. This rule has applied since 27 May 2025.
Is excise charged on electric cars?
No, if the car is left-hand drive. A right-hand-drive electric car: 3,000 ₾.
How is a car's age calculated?
The year of customs clearance minus the year of manufacture. A 2020 car cleared in 2026 counts as 6 years old: 1.5 ₾ per cm³.
How much excise is due on a car older than 6 years with a 2.0 l engine?
9,000 ₾: 2,000 cm³ × 4.5 ₾. With right-hand drive, three times as much: 27,000 ₾.
What changed · 2
- 27 May 2025Exam in Georgia only with a residence permit or after 185 days of legal stay in 12 months (Ministry of Internal Affairs Order No. 40)
- 2 April 2026Excise on imported passenger cars went up: 1.5 ₾ per cm³ up to 6 years old, 4.5 ₾ if older. Before, rates ranged from 0.8 to 2.4 ₾ per cm³ by age group
Sources · 9
- Service Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs: exchanging foreign driving licences — sa.gov.ge, checked 29 September 2026
- Minister of Internal Affairs' Order No. 40 of 27 May 2025 — matsne.gov.ge
- Minister of Internal Affairs' Order No. 598 of 1 August 2012: issuing and exchanging driving licences, consolidated version of 20 July 2026 (DOCX, ~32 MB) — matsne.gov.ge
- Law of Georgia No. 1477-VMS-XIMp of 1 April 2026 amending the Tax Code — matsne.gov.ge
- Tax Code of Georgia, Articles 188 and 194, version of 25 June 2026 — matsne.gov.ge
- Kreston Georgia: tax law changes in March and April 2026, 18 May 2026
- JAMnews: car customs clearance is getting more expensive, 2 April 2026
- ExpatHub: exchanging a foreign driving licence in Georgia, updated 29 June 2026
- T—Zh: how to take the driving test in Georgia, 29 July 2026