How do you convert a foreign driving licence in Georgia in 2026?

Practitioner guides based on Georgian rules state that a foreigner may drive on a valid foreign licence for one year after last entry into Georgia, unless the licence itself expires earlier. An International Driving Permit can help with translation on the road, but Georgia issues IDPs only on the basis of a Georgian licence, so bring any IDP from home if you need one. Police may ask for passport evidence of recent entry alongside the licence.

If you leave and re-enter, the practical reading often resets from the newest entry stamp, though enforcement can feel stricter for people who clearly live here full time. Do not treat border hops as legal advice; confirm against your stamps and current Service Agency practice.

Exchange runs through the Service Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, not through a routine Public Service Hall residence desk. Guides citing Order 598 commonly list: passport (with Georgian notarised translation unless you hold a Georgian residence permit), the original foreign licence you will surrender, a Form IV-100/a medical certificate issued within about 180 days, and a notice from the foreign licensing authority that is apostilled or legalised, then translated and notarised in Georgia.

That foreign notice must usually state issue date, categories, restrictions, and whether the right to drive is suspended. Notices older than 90 days are widely reported as rejected. Fees for a straightforward exchange are often cited near ₾15 plus a small bank charge, with same-visit plastic when documents clear. Category validity on the new Georgian licence then follows local rules by vehicle class.

If your home authority cannot issue the detailed notice, or exchange stalls, you can take Georgian theory and practical tests through the Service Agency pathway. Theory is commonly available in English as well as Georgian and Russian, though translations can be imperfect. Exam eligibility for foreigners has tightened around lawful presence or residence evidence in recent MIA orders, so check current 185-day or residence-permit wording before you book. Mountain driving for outdoor weekends still needs winter tyres and caution even after you hold local plastic.

Finish stay paperwork in parallel: Paperwork after moving and Apply for a residence permit. City transport context: Utilities, internet, and transport.