Driving in Georgia is one of the best ways to see the country, and it is easier than first-time visitors expect. Georgia drives on the right with left-hand-drive cars, the motorways are modern and toll-free, and the real reward is the mountains — Kazbegi, Gudauri and Svaneti open up the moment you have your own car. The cities are busier and the driving is more assertive, but on the open road Georgia is a pleasure. If you want to plan a trip, you can rent a car in Tbilisi and pick up at the airport in minutes.
Is Georgia left-hand or right-hand drive?
Georgia is right-hand drive: you drive on the right side of the road and the steering wheel is on the left, the same as most of Europe and the US. One quirk worth knowing — many cars in Georgia are imported used vehicles from the US or Japan, so the rental fleet is a mix. Almost all are still set up for right-side driving; just check the car when you collect it.
Can tourists drive in Georgia?
Yes. Tourists can drive on a valid national licence for up to one year from entry. Bring a passport and a credit card for the deposit. An International Driving Permit is recommended and sometimes asked for at the desk, particularly if your licence uses a non-Latin alphabet. The minimum rental age is usually 21, with the licence held for at least a year or two for larger cars.
Driving in Georgia at a glance
| Topic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Drives on | The right |
| Licence | National licence, valid up to 1 year for visitors |
| IDP | Recommended, sometimes required at the desk |
| Tolls | None — motorways are free |
| Minimum age | Usually 21, licence held 1–2 years |
| Fuel | Petrol and diesel widely available, mostly full-service |
| Emergency number | 112 |
Licence, deposit and the car you get
Most visitors drive on their home licence, and rental desks deal with foreign licences daily. Carry the IDP anyway — it is cheap, quick to get at home, and removes any argument at the counter. At pickup the company takes a deposit on a credit card; some economy cars are offered with no deposit. Because much of the fleet is imported, condition varies — photograph every scratch, the wheels and the fuel level, and confirm whether the tank policy is full-to-full before you drive off.
The roads: city, motorway and mountain
Georgia has three very different driving environments. Tbilisi and the cities are busy and assertive, with loose lane discipline and confident drivers — go slowly your first day and leave a bigger gap than at home. The main motorways, like the route toward Batumi, are modern, fast and free of tolls. The mountain roads are the reason to rent: the Georgian Military Highway up to Gudauri and Kazbegi is spectacular but has switchbacks, steep drops and weather that turns quickly, so drive it in daylight and keep something in reserve behind slow lorries. For Kazbegi, Svaneti and the wine roads of Kakheti, a higher car with good ground clearance is far more comfortable than a low city hatchback.
Fuel, fines and safety
Petrol stations are common on the main roads and most are full-service, so an attendant fills the car while you wait — say the fuel type and amount and pay by card or cash. There are no road tolls in Georgia, so fuel is your main running cost. Speed cameras are widespread and fines are billed back through the rental company, so stick to the posted limits, which drop sharply near towns. Seatbelts are required, and the emergency number is 112. In an accident, call the police, photograph the scene and tell the rental company before anything is moved.
Where a car takes you
This is the payoff. From Tbilisi you can drive the Military Highway to Kazbegi and the Gergeti Trinity Church in a long day, tour the Kakheti wine region, ski or hike at Gudauri, or continue to Batumi on the Black Sea coast. A small economy car like a Toyota Prius handles the city and the main roads cheaply, while a crossover like a Toyota RAV4 or a 7-seat SUV like the Toyota Highlander is the better choice for the mountains and for groups. Browse the full range and rent a car in Tbilisi to get started.