Complete Guide to Getting a Driver's License in Georgia

Everything you need to know about obtaining a driver's license in Georgia

Candidate Requirements

What is the minimum age for getting a driver's license in Georgia? You must be at least 18 years old to drive after obtaining your license. For example, a 17-year-old can obtain a license but must wait until 18 to legally drive.

Can foreigners get a driver's license in Georgia? Yes, foreigners can obtain a Georgian driver's license by following the standard procedure, which includes submitting a translated passport and medical certificate.

Can I get a license without a residence permit in Georgia? Foreign citizens and stateless persons must now prove they have legally resided in Georgia for at least 185 calendar days within a continuous 12-month period before applying for driving exams.

This applies to both theoretical and practical exams. A residence certificate or proof of legal stay is required. Diplomatic personnel are exempt from this requirement.

Can I exchange foreign driving rights for Georgian ones without taking exams? Exchanging foreign licenses without exams is generally possible under mutual recognition agreements, but the license will have an exchange notation. A certificate of good standing from your country and a translated passport may be required. As of January 2026, there are reports of possible delays or uncertain processing times — verify the current status directly with the Ministry of Internal Affairs before applying.

Can I get categories A and B simultaneously? No, you need to take separate theoretical exams for categories A and B, as the question sets differ slightly. Even if you already have B category, you still need to take A category theoretical test.

Required Documents

What documents are needed to apply for a driver's license in Georgia? You will need:

• Valid passport (if you don't have a residence permit)
• Notarized translation of passport into Georgian (if you don't have a residence permit)
• Medical certificate (Form 100)
• Residence permit or proof of staying in Georgia for at least 185 days in the last 12 months

Cost: translation — approximately 20-30 lari; medical certificate — approximately 30-50 lari.

Do I need a passport and its translation if I have a residence permit? No, if you have a residence permit, the license is issued based on the residence permit.

Where can I get a medical certificate (Form 100)? Medical certificates can be obtained at any authorized clinic in Georgia.

Do I need to translate any documents besides the passport? Generally, only the passport translation is required. For license exchange, a certificate of good standing from the issuing country may be required.

Where can I translate and notarize my passport? Visit any notary office in Georgia.

Application Process

How do I start the process of getting a driver's license in Georgia? First, prepare your documents (passport, translation, medical certificate). Then register for the theoretical exam online or in person. Finally, schedule and pass the theoretical test, yard test, and city driving exam.

Do I need to enroll in a driving school to get a license? No, driving school enrollment is not mandatory. You can prepare for theory independently and practice for practical tests, although driving schools can help with structured training.

How do I register for the theoretical exam? Register online through the official website or in person at an examination center (e.g., Rustavi, Batumi, Poti). After payment, you'll receive SMS confirmation. Cost: ~50 lari for theory and yard test together.

Can I register for the city driving exam before passing theory and yard tests? No, you can only register for the city exam after passing the theoretical test and yard test. In some cities (e.g., Poti), you can register immediately after passing these stages.

Testing Procedures

What does the theoretical exam include? The theoretical exam consists of 30 questions. For category B, the 2026 question pool contains 921 questions; for category A, 864 questions. For category AM, the exam consists of 20 questions from a pool of 338 questions. Up to 2 mistakes are allowed. You have 30 minutes to complete the exam.

Is the theoretical exam available in languages other than Georgian? The theoretical exam can be taken in one of 8 languages: Georgian, Russian, English, Turkish, Armenian, Azerbaijani, Abkhazian, Ossetian.

Where can I prepare for the theoretical exam? Drv.ge offers a free platform with official questions and answers with corrected translations. Explanations for questions and a new ecology question block are also translated.

What does the yard test include? For category B, the yard test includes maneuvers: parallel parking, garage entry, hill start, and serpentine. For category A, it includes figure-eight, serpentine, and garage turn. For category AM, no yard test is required.

What does the city driving exam include? The city test evaluates real driving on established routes, focusing on traffic rules, lane discipline, turn signals, and intersection navigation. You must verbally comment on maneuvers and avoid mistakes such as improper lane changes or missing signs.

Do I need to take the city exam for category A or A1? No, categories A and A1 require only the theoretical test and yard test, with no city exam.

Can I use my own vehicle for the yard or city test? No, you must use the examination center's vehicles for both tests.

What are common reasons for failing the yard test? Common reasons for failure:

• Incorrect sequence of actions (e.g., forgetting the handbrake on the hill)
• Violating distance requirements on serpentine or garage parking
• Not keeping both hands on the steering wheel (especially noted in Rustavi)
• Start errors: not adjusting mirrors or seat — ask the inspector for details if points were deducted at the start

What are common reasons for failing the city exam? Common reasons for failure:

• Incorrect lane changes or positioning (e.g., turning from the wrong lane)
• Failing to yield to other vehicles or pedestrians
• Missing signs or signals (e.g., stop signs, yield signs)
• Not keeping both hands on the wheel or not announcing maneuvers to the inspector
• Traffic violations (e.g., speeding, not stopping at railroad crossings)
• Old habits conflicting with Georgian rules, even for experienced drivers (e.g., 9-10 attempts due to ingrained practices)

What should I check under the hood before the city exam? Inspectors may ask you to show elements such as the brake fluid reservoir or washer fluid — practice identifying them on typical exam vehicles.

When should I shift gears on a manual transmission during the exam? During the exam, shift at low RPMs (e.g., 0-20 km/h in 1st, 20-40 in 2nd, etc.) to meet requirements. In real life, aim for 1800-3000 RPM to avoid engine strain.

How should I handle specific road situations, such as aggressive drivers during the exam? If another driver interferes (e.g., cuts you off), the inspector may brake — this usually isn't counted as your mistake.

How do I enter roundabouts in places like Batumi? Yield to traffic already on the roundabout. In Batumi, due to recent updates (safety islands), enter from the middle lane on some routes (check current maps, as old ones may show entry from the left lane). Exit only from the right (outer) lane after signaling.

Fees and Payment Options

How much does it cost to get a driver's license in Georgia?

• Theory + yard: 50 lari
• City exam: 90 lari (standard) or 250 lari (priority)
• Retakes: theory free once per week; yard — one free retake per week, additional ~20 lari/day; city — 90 lari (monthly) or 250 lari (weekly)
• Additional: instructor lessons (40-60 lari/hour), medical certificate (30-50 lari), passport translation (~20-30 lari)

What's the difference between the 90 lari and 250 lari city exam?

• 90 lari: scheduled test, usually booked a month in advance
• 250 lari: priority test, can be taken the same day or within a few days, but you join a live queue and may wait for hours. Payment is made only when you get a spot

Are there additional costs for retaking exams?

• Theory: free retake once per week
• Yard: one free retake per week; additional attempts ~20 lari/day
• City: 90 lari for monthly retakes or 250 lari for weekly priority

How much do driving lessons cost? Lessons cost ~40-60 lari per hour, depending on the instructor and city. For example, you may need 7-8 lessons for the yard or 30 lessons for the city exam.

Where do I pay for exams? Pay online through the MIA portal when registering or in person at the examination center. For the priority city test (250 lari), payment is made after getting a spot in the live queue.

Expected Timelines

How long does it take to get a driver's license in Georgia? With preparation and no failures — ~2 weeks to 1 month. With retakes and scheduling delays — on average 1-2 months. Seasonal factors (e.g., summer in Batumi) or holidays may extend this — as of January 2026, centers often resume full operations around January 13 after New Year holidays.

How often can I retake the theoretical exam if I fail? You can retake the theoretical exam free once per week.

How often can I retake the yard test if I fail? One free retake per week. Additional attempts cost ~20 lari per day and can be daily if spots are available.

How often can I retake the city exam if I fail? For 90 lari, retakes are scheduled monthly. For 250 lari, you can retake weekly through the live queue, depending on availability.

When do new exam dates become available for booking? New dates for the next month usually open around the 14th-15th of the current month. Monitor the MIA portal daily, as slots may appear earlier.

Can I take exams on weekends? Yes, exams, including the city exam, can be scheduled on Saturdays in some cities (e.g., Rustavi, Batumi). Check the MIA portal for availability, as there may be fewer weekend slots.

What's the waiting period between passing the yard and registering for the city exam? You must wait at least 2 weeks after passing the yard to register for the 90 lari city exam. For 250 lari, you can try the city exam the same day or soon after, depending on the queue.

What are typical holiday closures for MIA centers? Centers are often closed during major holidays such as New Year (non-working until approximately January 13). Check the MIA portal for exact schedules and plan ahead, as this can delay exams.

How do I register for the next attempt after failing? Check the MIA portal for available slots; frequency depends on test type and payment (e.g., weekly for priority city).

Preparation Tools and Resources

How do I prepare for theory and practice simultaneously? Yes, if time permits — prepare for theory through drv.ge while practicing driving closer to the exam to keep skills fresh.

Special Situations

Can I take theory and yard in one city and the city exam in another? Yes, you can take theory and yard in one city (e.g., Batumi) and the city exam in another (e.g., Rustavi or Poti).

Can I switch from manual to automatic for the city exam after passing the yard on manual? Yes, you can pass the yard on manual and take the city exam on automatic, receiving a license restricted to automatic only.

Can I get an International Driving Permit (IDP) with foreign licenses in Georgia? No, you cannot get an IDP for foreign licenses in Georgia. You first need to get a Georgian license, then apply for an IDP, which takes ~5 minutes and costs ~110 lari.

How do I get a duplicate license if lost? Visit the MIA, pay ~32 lari, and it takes 15-30 minutes — a simple process.

Common Issues and Solutions

What if I can't find available exam dates? If no dates are available (e.g., Rustavi is fully booked), check other cities like Telavi (2 hours from Tbilisi), or monitor the MIA portal around the 14th-15th for new slots. Batumi often has same-day availability.

How do I properly navigate roundabouts in Georgia? Yield to traffic already on the roundabout. Exit only from the right (outer) lane after signaling. Traffic in the inner lane must yield to those in the outer lane when exiting, though local drivers don't always follow this.

How do I get to the Rustavi examination center by public transport? From Isani metro station in Tbilisi, take bus #20 to Rustavi (20-minute ride, ~10-minute wait). Exit before the highway turnoff (at the gas station) and walk 15-20 minutes to the center (look for the large flag). Ask the driver to stop at the examination center.

Why do I keep failing the city exam despite driving experience? Common issues:

• Not following Georgian rules (e.g., announcing maneuvers, strict lane discipline)
• Missing non-obvious signs or incorrect yielding
• Nervousness or old habits (e.g., one hand on the wheel)

Solution: take lessons from a local instructor familiar with exam routes.

How does the live queue work for the 250 lari city exam? Arrive early (morning recommended) to join the live queue. Priority goes to booked 90 lari slots, but 250 lari examinees can often get in within 10-30 minutes if spots open. You only pay when you get a spot, and the payment receipt allows retry attempts on other days if unsuccessful. Solution: be prepared to wait hours or try less busy cities like Poti or Kutaisi.

What's the schedule for centers like Batumi or Rustavi (e.g., for category A)? Weekdays are standard, with some Saturdays for exams. For category A practice, verify through the MIA portal as hours may vary (e.g., mornings for tests).