Documents you need to rent a car in Georgia

To rent a car in Georgia as a tourist, you need your passport and the driving licence issued in your home country. A foreign licence is valid for up to one year from the day you enter Georgia. If your licence is not in Latin script, bring a certified translation or an International Driving Permit.

Below are the details: age and experience, deposit, insurance and what to check when you pick up the car.

In short: what to bring

• Your passport.
• Your driving licence. Bring the original card: photos and copies are not accepted.
• A translation of the licence or an International Driving Permit, if the licence is not in Latin script.
• Cash or a card for the deposit. The amount depends on the car.

At RentGeo Cars the driver must be at least 21 years old with at least one year of driving experience. Your passport and licence details are enough to book, and no prepayment is needed.

Can you drive in Georgia with your own licence?

Yes. A foreign driving licence is valid in Georgia for up to one year from the date of entry. The UK Foreign Office travel advice and local guides say the same. If you stay in Georgia longer, you need to exchange it for a Georgian licence.

The Law on Road Traffic says a driver must carry a certified translation of their documents if they are not in Georgian or Latin script. So:

• a licence in English or another language that uses Latin letters works as it is;
• if your licence is only in Cyrillic, Arabic or another script, get a notarised translation or an International Driving Permit before the trip.

New-style Russian licences repeat the name and categories in Latin letters. That is usually enough, but there is no official ruling on it. The safest option is to bring an International Driving Permit.

Do you need an International Driving Permit?

The law does not require one from every driver. An International Driving Permit is useful if your licence is not in Latin script. Some international rental brands also ask for it under their own rules.

Get it at home before you travel: you cannot get one in Georgia as a tourist.

Age and driving experience

Requirements differ between companies. Most rent cars to drivers aged 21 and over with one to three years of experience, and premium cars can have stricter rules.

Our rules: 21 or older and at least one year behind the wheel. A second driver is added to the contract free of charge, with the same documents checked.

Deposit

Almost every rental company takes a deposit. It covers damage, fines or a car returned with an empty tank. You get it back after you return the car.

Large international brands usually block the deposit on a credit card. At RentGeo Cars the deposit depends on the car you choose, and the manager tells you the amount when you book. You don't pay for the rental in advance: you pay when you get the car.

Be careful: if someone asks you to send a prepayment to "hold" a car on behalf of a rental company, it is a common scam. We don't take prepayments.

Insurance

Compulsory third-party liability insurance in Georgia currently applies only to cars with foreign plates: their owners buy a policy at the border. Cars with Georgian plates, including rental cars, have no such compulsory insurance yet. So it is worth checking what the insurance of your rental car covers.

All our cars come with full insurance included in the rental price.

Separately, since 2026 foreign visitors to Georgia need health insurance for their whole stay. It is not related to renting a car, but check the requirements before your trip.

What to check when you pick up the car

• Walk around the car with our staff and take photos of any scratches or chips.
• Check the fuel level: the car should be returned with the same level.
• Make sure the contract shows the dates, the return place and the second driver, if there is one.
• In winter all our cars come with winter tyres.

You can pick up the car in Tbilisi, at the airport, or have it delivered to another city such as Batumi. You can also return it in another city in Georgia if we agree on it in advance.

FAQ

Can I rent a car with a licence issued in Russia, Kazakhstan or Armenia?
Yes, foreign licences are valid for up to a year from entry. If your licence has no Latin script, bring a notarised translation or an International Driving Permit.

Do I need a credit card?
It depends on the company. International brands usually block the deposit on a credit card. With us the deposit amount and how you pay it depend on the car, so ask the manager when you book.

What is the minimum age to rent a car?
Most companies rent from 21. We rent to drivers aged 21 and over with at least one year of experience.

You can choose a car and see prices in our fleet.