Exchanging a driving licence in Georgia: a guide for foreigners

A year on a foreign licence from your last entry, then an exchange at the Service Agency with no test for licences from any country. But you need a recent apostilled confirmation from the issuing country, and for some countries that is the main obstacle.

The short answer: you can drive in Georgia on a foreign licence for one year from your last entry into the country. It can be exchanged for a Georgian licence with no test, and that applies to licences from any country: there is no closed list of recognised states. The exchange is handled by the Interior Ministry's Service Agency, the fee is under $10 and the new licence is issued on the day you apply.

The simplicity should not mislead you: the key document is a recent official confirmation from the issuing country that the licence is valid and the driver has not been disqualified. It must be legalised or apostilled and no older than 90 days on the day you apply. For some countries this is hard to obtain remotely, and then the only route left is the ordinary tests.

How long you can drive on a foreign licence in Georgia

A foreign licence is valid in Georgia for one year from your last entry, unless the licence itself expires sooner. The period counts from entry, so leaving the country and coming back starts the year again. Many foreigners who travel often rely on this for years, but with long continuous residence in Georgia you will still have to exchange the licence or take the tests.

An international driving permit is not required if the licence follows the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic model: insurers and rental firms usually accept national licences. If the licence is not in Latin script, it is handy to carry a notarised translation.

Who exchanges a licence without a test

There is no test on exchange for licences from any country. The conditions are different: the licence must be valid, it needs a confirmation from the issuing country, and proof that the holder lived in that country for at least 185 days in the 12 months before the licence was issued. The last requirement does not apply to EU licences or to people who were citizens of the issuing country when the licence was issued.

A foreigner with a residence permit, or someone who has been lawfully present in Georgia for at least 185 days in the last 12 months, can apply. Residents are not obliged to exchange: you can drive on a foreign licence within a year of your last entry or take the tests for a Georgian licence from scratch.

Licences from non-EU countries, including Russia

There is no formal ban on exchanging Russian licences. In practice an exchange is almost impossible because of the confirmation: it must be no older than 90 days, apostilled and confirm validity and no disqualification, and obtaining it from Georgia in that time is hard. So holders of Russian licences usually take the test route: theory and driving at the Service Agency, with a medical certificate. While the year from the last entry runs, they can drive on the Russian licence.

Documents for exchanging a licence

• a passport and a residence permit or proof of 185 days of lawful presence in Georgia in the last 12 months;
• the foreign licence, valid on the day you apply;
• a confirmation from the issuing country that the licence is valid and the holder has not been disqualified, legalised or apostilled, no older than 90 days;
• proof of 185 days of residence in the issuing country in the 12 months before the licence was issued, where required;
• a Georgian-form medical certificate from a Georgian clinic;
• a Georgian translation of documents that have no Latin-script version.

How the exchange works: steps

1. Order the confirmation in the issuing country and have it apostilled or legalised.
2. Pass a medical at a Georgian clinic and get the certificate.
3. Have documents translated into Georgian if needed.
4. Apply at the Service Agency or a Public Service Hall and pay the fee.
5. Receive the Georgian licence on the same day. The foreign licence is handed in.

How much exchanging a licence costs in Georgia

The fee for exchanging a foreign licence is under $10 at the National Bank of Georgia rate of 7 October 2026. The medical certificate, translation and the apostilled confirmation from the issuing country are paid separately: the confirmation takes the most money and time, especially if it has to be ordered through a representative in the issuing country.

If an exchange is impossible and you have to take the tests, add the fees for the theory and driving tests and, as a rule, lessons with an instructor to pass the driving test under local rules at the first attempt.

If your licence has expired

An expired foreign licence is not exchanged in Georgia. First renew it in the issuing country, then obtain the confirmation and apply for the exchange. If renewal is impossible, the test route remains: theory and driving at the Service Agency, with a medical certificate and proof of your right to live in Georgia.

This topic in other countries

Deadlines, tests and documents for exchanging a licence differ in every country, so it is best to plan the exchange before the move, together with the residence permit: that way you will not spend months on taxis or risk a fine and your insurance.

Exchanging a licence in other countries: Latvia, Kazakhstan, Serbia, Turkey, UAE, Portugal, Cyprus, Paraguay, USA, Italy.

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