New Traffic Fines in Georgia Since May 1, 2026

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What Changed on May 1, 2026
Updated Fine Amounts
Brand-New Offenses: What Didn't Exist Before
How to Pay a Fine in Georgia
What to Keep in Mind When Renting a Car in Georgia
Traffic Fines in Georgia 2026 FAQ

Georgia rolled out sweeping changes to its traffic laws on May 1, 2026 – fines for road violations have jumped by 2 to 10 times, new offenses have been added to the books, and the penalty point system has gotten significantly stricter.

If you're driving in Georgia, here's what you need to know to keep your money – and your license.

What Changed on May 1, 2026

The reform was over a year in the making. Georgia's Parliament passed the amendments in their final reading in March 2026, with the Ministry of Internal Affairs putting them into effect on May 1. The numbers behind the decision are hard to ignore: in 2025, 469 people died on Georgian roads and another 8,191 were injured. According to the MIA, the tougher penalties are designed to curb accident rates and shift the country's driving culture.

Some fines went up modestly – by 25-67%. Others increased tenfold or more. Sidewalk parking in major cities, for instance, jumped from roughly 10 to 100 GEL (+900%), while actually driving on a sidewalk now costs 200 GEL – a nearly 1,900% increase. And it's not just Tbilisi: the new rules apply across Batumi, Kutaisi, Rustavi, Mtskheta, Gori, Telavi, Poti, Zugdidi, Akhaltsikhe, Ozurgeti, and all resort areas throughout Georgia.

Heads up: these rules apply to everyone – Georgian citizens, foreign nationals, and tourists renting cars alike.

Updated Fine Amounts

The table below reflects the current fines as of May 1, 2026, based on the official amendments to Georgia's Administrative Offenses Code and MIA guidance.

Violation	Before (GEL)	Now (GEL)	License Points
Speeding 15–40 km/h over the limit	50	100	—
Improper overtaking / unsafe maneuver	50	100	−20
No seatbelt	40	50	−10
Phone use while driving (no hands-free)	30	50	—
Vehicle defect (brakes, lights, etc.)	15	50	—
Driving without a license / no documents	10	100	—
Sidewalk parking (major cities)	~10	100	—
Sidewalk parking (villages, small towns)	—	10	—
Driving on a sidewalk	~10	200	−30
Wrong-way driving (first offense)	100	200	−20
Wrong-way driving (repeat offense)	150	300	−30
Stopping in front of a fire hydrant	—	200 + tow	—
Drifting with minor damage to property/people	250	500 + 6-month ban	—
Transit trucks N2/N3 through Tbilisi	100	500	—
Causing a hazard / blocking traffic	—	1,000 + 1-year ban	—
Parking violations in regional cities (Batumi, Kutaisi, etc.)	10	50	—

At the current exchange rate of ~2.7 GEL per USD, a 100 GEL fine works out to roughly $37, and 500 GEL is about $185.

How the License Point System Works

Georgia uses a demerit point system – every license starts with a set number of points, and violations subtract from that total. Rack up enough deductions and you lose your license.

The May 2026 reform made the point penalties steeper: driving on a sidewalk now costs 30 points, wrong-way driving deducts 20–30 points depending on whether it's a first or repeat offense, and not wearing a seatbelt takes off 10 points.

Rental car note: fines and point deductions are tied to the driver, not the rental company. Repeat violations in Georgia can affect your foreign license too. Getmancar recommends holding onto all fine payment receipts – they can come in handy if any disputes come up when you return the car.

Brand-New Offenses: What Didn't Exist Before

Some of these changes aren't just higher fines for old violations – they're entirely new rules that either didn't exist in Georgian law or were never enforced in practice:

Driving on a sidewalk: 200 GEL + 30 license points. This was rarely treated as a standalone offense before.
Stopping in front of a fire hydrant: 200 GEL + mandatory tow, anywhere in the country.
Entering an oncoming bus lane: 200 GEL for a first offense, 300 GEL for a repeat – plus point deductions.
Transit trucks (N2/N3 category) passing through Tbilisi without a destination in the city: 500 GEL, aimed at easing downtown congestion.
Organized driving that obstructs traffic (street racing, convoys): 1,000 GEL or a one-year license suspension.

The first three are especially relevant for tourists and rental drivers. In Tbilisi and Batumi, it's easy to get into the habit of parking wherever seems convenient and ignoring signage. That habit is now an expensive one.

How to Pay a Fine in Georgia

Paying a fine is straightforward – just don't put it off. Unpaid fines double after the deadline.

Check for fines by license plate on the official MIA portal: videos.police.ge
Pay online through any of these services: bogpay.ge, tbcpay.ge, or pay.ge
Pay in person at a bank or payment terminal – TBC and BOG terminals are available in every city across Georgia
For checking fines or filing an appeal: police.ge

What to Keep in Mind When Renting a Car in Georgia

If you're renting a car in Tbilisi, Batumi, or Kutaisi, the new rules are worth knowing before you pull out of the lot. Here's a quick checklist:

Always buckle up – the 50 GEL fine and 10-point deduction apply to both the driver and front passenger
Hands on the wheel, not the phone – use Bluetooth or a mounted speakerphone; a regular call costs 50 GEL
Stay off the sidewalk – parking on it costs 100 GEL in major cities and resort zones, and driving on it will set you back 200 GEL
Inspect the car before you drive off – faulty brakes, lights, or wipers can land you a 50 GEL fine even if the issue predates your rental
Keep your license and rental agreement on you – the fine for missing documents jumped from 10 to 100 GEL
Avoid bus lanes and oncoming traffic – cameras are active and consistent, and fines for these violations start at 100–200 GEL

Every Getmancar vehicle goes through a technical inspection before each rental, so you'll always get a roadworthy car with a full set of documents. If a camera fine comes in during your trip, you can track and pay it online without interrupting your journey.

Traffic Fines in Georgia 2026 FAQ

What are the fines for traffic violations in Georgia in 2026?

From May 1, 2026, fines have increased significantly. Speeding by 15-40 km/h – 100 GEL, no seatbelt – 50 GEL, using a phone while driving – 50 GEL, driving on the pavement – 200 GEL, parking on the pavement in Tbilisi and major cities – 100 GEL. The full table of changes is available above in the article.

Have the traffic rules in Georgia changed in 2026?

Yes. The Georgian Parliament adopted amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences, which came into force on May 1, 2026. In addition to higher fines, new offences were introduced: driving on the pavement, stopping next to a fire hydrant, and transit of trucks through Tbilisi. The changes are linked to high accident rates: in 2025, 469 people were killed on Georgian roads.

How can I pay a traffic fine in Georgia online?

You can check a fine by licence plate number on the portal videos.police.ge. Payment can be made through bogpay.ge, tbcpay.ge or pay.ge. If the fine was recorded by a camera, a 20% discount applies when paying within 10 days. After 30 days, the amount doubles.

Do the new traffic fines in Georgia apply to foreigners and tourists?

Yes, the new rules apply to all drivers without exception – Georgian citizens, foreigners and tourists. Fines are assigned to the driver based on the documents presented. A foreign driving licence is accepted on equal terms with a Georgian one.

What is the fine for speeding in Georgia in 2026?

For speeding by 15-40 km/h – 100 GEL (before May 2026 it was 50 GEL). For more significant violations, higher sanctions apply, including licence suspension. Speed cameras operate 24/7 on main roads and in cities across Georgia.

Sources: Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia (police.ge), SOVA News, Sputnik Georgia, Triplinkhub.com – information current as of May 1, 2026.