Driving to Georgia by car: border, insurance, fines
Prepared by the 100doc.ge editorial team · Updated September 7, 2026
This guide is about Georgia, the country in the Caucasus, not the U.S. state. It covers what a driver with foreign plates needs before crossing the border: documents, compulsory insurance, fines and road rules. Insurance figures come from the Compulsory Insurance Center of Georgia (tpl.ge), checked on 7 September 2026.
Documents at the border
Border and customs officers check three things: the driver's passport, the vehicle registration certificate and the driving licence. If the car is not yours, carry a power of attorney or another proof of your right to drive it. Temporary import of the vehicle is registered at the border; the rules change, so check the Revenue Service of Georgia website before the trip.
Drivers from Russia mostly use the Upper Lars crossing (Dariali on the Georgian side) on the Georgian Military Road. From Armenia the crossing is Sadakhlo, from Azerbaijan the Red Bridge, from Turkey Sarpi. In winter the Military Road closes during avalanche danger.
Car insurance: what the law requires
Since 1 March 2018 every vehicle registered abroad must carry Georgian compulsory third-party liability insurance for the whole stay. A Russian OSAGO policy is not valid in Georgia, and neither is the Green Card: Georgia is not part of that system. The policy covers your liability to others: injury or death up to 30,000 GEL per victim and 300,000 GEL per event, property damage up to 25,000 GEL per victim and 50,000 GEL per event. Damage to your own car is not covered.
Every foreign-registered vehicle needs it: cars, motorcycles, buses, trucks and trailers, and a trailer needs its own policy. Terms are 15, 30, 90 days or one year. Details in English: car insurance for entering Georgia with foreign plates.
Price and where to buy
Tariffs are set by law and identical at every seller. Passenger car: 60 GEL for 15 days, 100 GEL for 30 days, 180 GEL for 90 days, 395 GEL for a year. Motorcycle from 40 GEL, truck from 120 GEL, trailer from 28 GEL. You can buy at the border in cash (lari) or online in advance; the policy is electronic and is checked by plate number, so nothing needs to be printed. Note that the online checkout at car-insurance.100doc.ge is in Russian; support is available in English.
Fines and checks
Driving without the policy is an administrative offence with a fine of 100 to 200 GEL. Cameras and patrol police see uninsured cars in the registry, and the missing policy also surfaces at customs when you leave. The real risk is not the fine: an uninsured driver at fault pays all damage to others out of pocket.
How to buy the policy online
Choose the vehicle type and term, enter the plate number, VIN or body number, make and model and the policyholder's passport details; the form can read them from photos of the registration certificate and passport. Check the plate and VIN against the documents: one wrong character makes the policy useless at a roadside check. Pay by any bank card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. The PDF policy arrives by e-mail, usually within an hour during working hours (Monday to Saturday, 10:00–19:00 Tbilisi time); orders paid at night are issued in the morning.
Already in Georgia without a policy?
The policy is required for the whole stay, not only on the day of entry. A new policy can be bought online from anywhere in the country and starts on the date you choose. Waiting until you leave is a bad idea: every uninsured day means a possible fine at any police stop and full liability in an accident.
Travel medical insurance
Since 1 January 2026 medical insurance is mandatory for all foreigners entering Georgia, however they arrive. It covers emergency care, hospitalisation and outpatient treatment and can be bought online at tourist.100doc.ge/en. Motor and medical insurance are two separate documents, and both may be asked for at the border.
Road rules in brief
Traffic drives on the right and seat belts are mandatory for everyone. Drink-driving penalties are severe, up to loss of the licence. Typical limits are 60 km/h in towns, 90 outside and 110 on motorways, but follow the signs. Fines are issued by camera and can be paid online; an unpaid fine may come up when you leave the country.
Checklist
- Passport, registration certificate, driving licence; power of attorney if the car is not yours.
- Georgian compulsory motor insurance (PDF on your phone is enough).
- Travel medical insurance: mandatory for foreigners entering Georgia since 1 January 2026, available online at tourist.100doc.ge/en.
- Some cash in lari for the first day.
- First-aid kit, fire extinguisher, warning triangle.
FAQ
Is a Russian OSAGO policy valid in Georgia?
No. It works only inside Russia. Georgia requires its own compulsory policy for foreign-registered vehicles.
Is the Green Card valid in Georgia?
No. Georgia is not a Green Card member; a Georgian policy is required.
Can I buy the policy before reaching the border?
Yes, online, with the start date set to the day of entry.
Who do I call after an accident?
The emergency number in Georgia is 112. The Compulsory Insurance Center hotline is +995 32 2 30 11 11.