Renting a car in Georgia: papers, deposit, insurance 2026

A car in Georgia unlocks what minibuses can’t reach: mountain villages, canyons, wineries and viewpoints. Rentals here are common and inexpensive, but they come with their own quirks around documents, the deposit and insurance. Here’s how it all works; specific prices and terms change, so always confirm them with the rental company.

Documents and age

To rent a car you’ll usually need your passport and a driving licence. If your licence isn’t in the Latin alphabet, bring an International Driving Permit (IDP) — Georgian rental companies and police read it more easily. The minimum driver age is generally 21 and over, with some driving experience; for very young drivers or premium cars there may be a surcharge. Exact requirements vary by company — check them when you book.

Deposit and payment

Most companies hold a deposit on your bank card for the duration of the rental; the amount depends on the car class and the company. There are also rates and offers without a deposit — usually pricier or with a higher excess. Payment methods (card, cash, prepayment for the booking) also differ between companies, so check in advance which cards they accept and whether prepayment is required. We don’t quote specific amounts: they go out of date quickly.

Insurance and excess

The base rate usually includes insurance (damage — CDW — and liability), but almost always with an excess (deductible) — the amount the renter pays in case of damage. For an extra fee you can reduce or remove the excess (SCDW / full insurance), and theft protection (TP) is often a separate line item. Just as important is what insurance usually does NOT cover: tyres and glass, the undercarriage and mirrors, damage on gravel roads and off-road, and filling up with the wrong fuel. Before your trip, check exactly what your rate covers and what the excess is — that matters more than the daily price. For the separate mandatory health insurance required to enter the country, see the insurance section.

Where to pick up a car

• At the airports of Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Batumi — handy right on arrival; there’s sometimes a small surcharge for an airport pickup.
• Online aggregators (such as Localrent or Discover Cars) — compare prices and terms across companies, convenient for booking ahead.
• Local companies — sometimes cheaper, but read the contract and the deposit/insurance terms more carefully.

Roads, season and fuel

The main highways (such as the fast S1 Tbilisi–Kutaisi–Batumi route) are in good condition, with clear signs. There are no toll roads in Georgia. But in the mountains roads can be narrow, winding and unpaved. For the high mountains — Svaneti (Ushguli), Tusheti, Khevsureti — you’ll need a 4×4, and in winter the passes (including the Jvari Pass on the Georgian Military Highway) can close because of snow and avalanche risk. If you’re planning places like these, take a suitable car and check the road conditions before you set off. For an example mountain route, see Svaneti: Mestia and Ushguli.

Petrol stations are common along the highways and in towns, but they’re scarcer in the mountains and the backcountry — keep the tank full when heading into the high country. Check the car’s fuel type at handover (petrol/diesel/gas); filling up with the wrong fuel isn’t covered by insurance.

Fines, cameras and parking

Georgian roads have plenty of cameras — for speeding and other violations. The fine goes to the car’s owner, i.e. the rental company, which then charges the amount to your card (sometimes with a processing fee). So stay within the speed limit and remember that the rental company has access to your card for some time after you return the car. In the centres of major cities (especially Tbilisi and Batumi) parking is paid in marked zones — usually via an app or a parking meter; you can be fined for not paying too. Ask the rental company how to pay for the zones and whether the car already has a parking subscription.

Child seat, extra driver and crossing borders

Add-ons — a child seat, a second driver, GPS, a Wi-Fi router — are nearly always paid and are best booked in advance, especially child seats in high season. If two of you will be driving, add the second driver to the contract (otherwise the insurance may not apply in an accident). Crossing into other countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey) is restricted or forbidden by most rental companies — it requires written permission and a separate “green card” insurance, so ask ahead. Returning the car in a different city (one-way — e.g. pick up in Tbilisi, drop off in Batumi) is often possible for an extra fee.

What to check at handover

• Photograph the car from every side and the interior — record every scratch and dent before driving off.
• Check the fuel level and the return condition (full tank / as is).
• Read the contract: what the insurance covers, the excess amount, the deposit terms, the mileage limit, and whether you can cross into other countries.
• Save the rental company’s contact and a photo of the contract.

Ready to plan your trips? Take a look at the routes and the city guides under cities. You can compare rental offers through the box below.