Car Rental in Georgia: Rules and Tips

Georgia is only a short flight from Turkey, yet it deserves to be explored at its own pace. Tbilisi's old neighbourhoods, the Caucasus mountain passes, Kakheti's vineyards and the Batumi coast are all within a few hours' drive of each other. Public transport and tours will do the job, but if you want to decide for yourself where to stop, renting a car in Georgia is the most comfortable option. In this guide we explain who can rent, how insurance and deposits work, what to watch for on the road and which roads are off-limits for rental cars.

Where can you pick up your car?

Most trips revolve around three cities: Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Batumi. Each has pick-up points both at the airport and in the city centre, and there is also one in Telavi for those exploring the Kakheti region.

• Tbilisi: Most international flights land here. The Tbilisi Airport pick-up point is handy if you want to head straight for Kazbegi or Kakheti without driving into the city.
• Kutaisi: An airport popular with low-cost airlines and a good starting point for the canyons and caves of western Georgia.
• Batumi: On the Black Sea coast, and also close for anyone arriving overland from Turkey.

You can compare all locations and current prices in a single table on the Georgia car rental page.

Who can rent a car?

Conditions vary by supplier, and each car's terms are shown separately during booking. These are the key rules of our supplier in Georgia:

• Drivers must be 23–75 years old and have held their licence for at least 3 years.
• Drivers whose country requires it must carry an International Driving Permit. Check before you travel whether your licence alone is valid in Georgia.
• The minimum rental period is 3 days.
• If your booking starts within 24 hours, the supplier will first ask you to confirm by phone or WhatsApp.

Insurance, deposit and excess

CDW (collision damage waiver) and TPL (third-party liability insurance) are included in the price. If you cause an accident, the excess you pay is 200 USD. Optional Full Insurance (40 GEL per day, up to 400 GEL in total) reduces this excess to zero.

The deposit is 200 USD in cash; nothing is blocked on a credit card. Customers who take Full Insurance pay no deposit. That's a big advantage for drivers who don't have a credit card or don't want to tie up their card limit.

Remember: a police report is mandatory for every accident. Without one the insurance is void, so even after a minor scrape you need to pull over and call the police.

Driving on Georgian roads

In Georgia, as in Turkey, traffic drives on the right, so it doesn't take long to get used to. Still, a few things are worth keeping in mind:

• Speed cameras are common. Speed limits depend on the type of road; follow the signs and slow down when entering towns.
• The alcohol limit is very low. On a day of wine tasting, the safest choice is not to drive at all.
• Mountain roads are narrow and winding. Distances may look short, but journeys take a long time; add some buffer to the map's estimate.
• Watch out for animals on village roads. Herds of cows and sheep can wander onto the road, especially in the late afternoon.
• Avoid mountain roads after dark. Lighting is limited, so try to finish long stretches in daylight.

Winter conditions

From November to April, winter tyres are included. Snow chains and ski racks can be added as extras. High passes such as the Jvari Pass on the way to Kazbegi may close temporarily during heavy snowfall, so check the current road conditions before setting off. For the mountain route, take a look at our Tbilisi–Kazbegi guide too.

Roads off-limits to rental cars

Some of Georgia's most spectacular places lie in rough terrain, and the rental terms explicitly ban these roads. No rental car may be driven on the following roads; breaking this rule results in a 500 USD fine:

• Pshaveli–Omalo (the Tusheti road)
• Ananuri–Shatili
• Vashlovani Protected Area
• Bakuriani–Tabatskuri
• Chobiskhevi–Kahisi Lake
• Koruldi Lakes
• Truso Valley road

In addition, sedans and minivans may not be driven on gravel (unpaved) roads, and the David Gareja monastery complex can only be reached in 4x4 vehicles. If you want to see these places, a local tour or a transfer by off-road vehicle is the better choice.

Border crossings, fuel and return

Crossing into Armenia with a rental car is possible: the rental must be at least 5 days and a 190 GEL border fee applies. Compulsory motor insurance for Armenia is bought at the border. Citizens of Eurasian Economic Union countries cannot make this crossing. No other cross-border travel is covered by the terms; if you have other plans, be sure to ask before booking.

Mileage is unlimited and the fuel policy is full-to-full. If you return the car more than 2 hours late, you'll be charged a full day's rate, so factor this in when planning your return flight.

Extras and practical tips

When booking, you can add extras that make your trip easier:

• Additional driver: The first additional driver is free; sharing the wheel on long stretches helps keep fatigue down.
• Child seat: If you're travelling with children, add one when you book.
• WiFi adapter: Provides unlimited internet in the car; handy for navigation and passengers' phones.
• Chauffeur service: Can be booked in advance for tasting days, such as on a wine route.

The office is open Monday–Saturday 9:00–17:00 and Sunday 9:00–14:00, while car handovers and support are available 24/7. If your flight lands at night, adding your flight number to the booking makes pick-up easier. At pick-up, don't forget to walk around the car and photograph any existing scratches and dents.

In short

• There are pick-up points in Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi and Telavi; compare prices on a single page.
• Drivers must be 23–75, have held a licence for at least 3 years and, if required, carry an International Driving Permit.
• The deposit is 200 USD in cash; with Full Insurance there is no deposit and no excess.
• Get a police report for every accident, stay off banned roads and check pass conditions in winter.

To choose your dates and see available cars, use the car search page. When you book through fiyucar, all of the car's terms are shown before the payment step.