Entering Georgia by car: documents, insurance and road rules

Who can enter without a visa

Citizens of many countries, including Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Ukraine, Turkey, Israel and all EU states, can stay in Georgia without a visa for up to one year.

Most travellers enter with a passport. Citizens of the EU, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Turkey can use an ID card, and citizens of Armenia a biometric ID card. Russian citizens enter only with an international passport.

Where to cross by car

• From Russia: Upper Lars and Dariali (Kazbegi). Do not enter through Abkhazia or South Ossetia: under Georgian law this is a criminal offence.
• From Armenia: Bagratashen and Sadakhlo, Gogavan and Guguti, Bavra and Ninotsminda.
• From Turkey: Sarp and Sarpi, Aktaş and Kartsakhi, Türkgözü and Vale. Under the Georgia–Turkey agreement, border formalities at these crossings generally run around the clock.
• From Azerbaijan: Red Bridge (Sınıq Körpü and Tsiteli Khidi) and Mazımqara and Lagodekhi. Azerbaijani customs lists both as open around the clock. However, foreigners cannot enter Azerbaijan by land without special permission, although they may leave. This regime has been extended to 2 January 2027.

• From Russia to Armenia by car through Georgia: the route via Upper Lars in detail.

Driver and vehicle documents

• Passport or an ID card if your country is listed above.
• Driving licence. A licence issued in another country is valid in Georgia for up to one year from your last entry; Georgian rules do not require an International Driving Permit. If your licence or registration certificate has no data in Latin letters, a certified translation is needed.
• Vehicle registration certificate. It is checked at the border.
• Proof of your right to use the car, for example a power of attorney, if the owner is not in the car.

How long the car can stay

A car with foreign plates may stay in Georgia for up to 90 days. After that it must leave the country or be customs-cleared. Drivers from most countries may stay longer, up to a year, so keep an eye on the car’s deadline.

Compulsory insurance

Every foreign-registered car must be insured from the moment it enters and for the whole stay, even in transit. Policies are issued for 15, 30 or 90 days or for 1 year. An electronic policy is enough, no paper is needed. Driving without a policy can lead to a fine of GEL 100 to 200. The policy covers harm to other people and their property, not your own car.

• Car insurance for Georgia: arrange it online in advance and choose the start date.
• Car accident in Georgia or Armenia with foreign plates: what to do

Key road rules

• Speed. In built-up areas 60 km/h, in residential zones 20 km/h. Outside built-up areas 90 km/h, on motorways 110 km/h, and 80 km/h when towing a light trailer. Signs can change these limits.
• Alcohol. The limit is 0.3 per mille. Between 0.3 and 0.7 the licence is suspended for 6 months; above 0.7 or for refusing a test, for a year.
• Seat belts. Required for the driver and the front passenger; the fine is GEL 50.
• Phone. Do not use a phone while driving. A hands-free set is allowed only with both hands on the wheel.
• Headlights. There is no general daytime headlight rule for cars. Lights are required in darkness, in poor visibility and in tunnels.

Fines on a foreign-registered car

Camera fines are issued to the person who drove the car into Georgia. The notice is published on the website of the Georgian Interior Ministry and counts as delivered on day 30; it can also be handed over at the border. Unpaid fines must be paid when you cross the border. If you do not pay, Georgia may refuse you entry or a visa until the fine is settled.

• Traffic fines in Georgia: check and pay online.

Continuing to Armenia?

Vehicles with foreign plates also need insurance in Armenia. The route and what you need at the Armenian border are covered in a separate guide, and the policy can be arranged in advance.

• From Russia to Armenia by car through Georgia
• Car insurance for Armenia

Frequently asked questions