What's important to know when renting a car in Tbilisi?

Tbilisi is a city you can't fully discover without your own car. The narrow streets of the Old Town, the winding roads toward Mtskheta, Kazbegi or Kakheti — all of it opens up completely differently when you're behind the wheel yourself. But renting a car in Tbilisi has its own specifics, and knowing them in advance means saving money, nerves and time. Many things that are obvious to locals come as a surprise to a visitor right at the start — from the nuances of the deposit to where you can even drive this car.

Licence and documents

Driving licences from most countries are accepted for renting a car in Georgia — Russian, Asian, European. An International Driving Permit is formally required by law, but in practice most rental companies accept national licences. A passport is always mandatory.

A separate word about borders. If you're even considering driving into Armenia or Turkey, check right away whether your rental allows it. With companies that do permit leaving Georgia, it's worth carrying an international permit — you may be asked for it at the border, and without it you might simply not be let through. But here is an important point: MY.DRIVE cars cannot be taken across the border — the car cannot leave Georgia under the terms of the contract and insurance. Insurance coverage is valid only within the country, so crossing the border in a car rented from MY.DRIVE is not allowed. If your route absolutely must include neighbouring countries, discuss it with the rental company in advance and choose one that specifically permits this format.

The minimum driver age with most operators is 21, with driving experience of 1–2 years or more.

Deposit and payment methods

Almost all rental companies in Tbilisi take a deposit — as a rule, from $100 to $300 depending on the car class. The deposit is held on a card or taken in cash. Clarify this in advance: some companies work only with cards, others only with cash. We covered how the deposit for car rental in Georgia works in a separate article.

Pay attention to the insurance terms: the basic rate often includes only third-party liability (OSAGO). Full CASCO costs more but gives peace of mind — especially if you're driving mountain roads or dirt tracks. A useful tip: ask in advance about the deductible (the amount you pay for any damage, even with insurance) and about what exactly counts as an "insured event". Sometimes it's smarter to pay extra for extended coverage than to argue later over a scratch on the bumper. By the way, which car to choose for the trip often affects both the deposit amount and the insurance cost.

Road and driving specifics

Georgian traffic has its own character. In central Tbilisi, morning and evening traffic jams are the norm, so if you haven't driven a manual in a while, it makes sense to book an automatic from the start. A navigator is essential: house numbering and street logic here often surprise even locals. Google Maps works well, Yandex Navigator too. Before your first drive, it won't hurt to refresh the traffic rules in Georgia — there are some nuances.

Roads outside the city can be very different: excellent highways to Batumi and Kutaisi — and broken dirt tracks in mountain villages. If you plan to drive beyond Tbilisi, check with the rental company whether the contract allows off-road trips.

A couple of practical things about the roads themselves. There are enough gas stations on the main highways, but in the mountains, on the way to Kazbegi or deep into Kakheti, it's better to keep the tank at least half full — stations can turn up more rarely than you'd like. Night driving outside the city requires attention: lighting on the highways is missing in places, and cows and other livestock often wander onto the road, so it's better to slow down in the dark. Mountain serpentines are a story of their own: here it's customary to give way to whoever is driving uphill, to use the horn actively on blind turns, and to spare no engine braking in low gear on long descents.

Speed cameras in Georgia work actively, fines are moderate, but they do come. You can check and pay fines online. Some rental companies charge an administrative fee for processing a fine — clarify this point too. And if an accident happens, it's important to know the procedure in advance so you don't get flustered on the spot.

Parking in Tbilisi

In the city centre, parking is paid — but only where a paid-parking sign is installed. Payment is through the Tbilisi Parking app. The cost is 1 GEL per hour. In residential areas farther from the centre, parking is usually free.

A separate word about the Old Town: the streets there are very narrow, one-way in places and steeply sloped, and finding a free spot isn't easy. Often it's more convenient to leave the car in a paid lot or a parking a little to the side and walk — that way you save your nerves and don't risk your mirrors on tight turns. More details are in our guide to parking in Tbilisi.

Where to rent: what to look for

When choosing a rental company, look not only at the price but also at:

• transparency of the contract and a clear final amount with no "asterisks";
• the condition of the car at handover (be sure to record scratches — photo or video before you drive off!);
• the presence of a real support service you can actually reach by phone;
• the terms of return in case of a breakdown and what to do in case of an accident;
• pre-agreed rules on mileage, off-road driving and (if that's your case) leaving the country.

At MY.DRIVE we try to make sure none of these surprises happen at all. The rental terms are transparent, the fleet is well maintained, and support is live and in English: if something is unclear, there's always someone to ask. No hidden fees or deposit games — you just take the car and drive, and we stay in touch along the whole route.

Bottom line

Renting a car in Tbilisi is a sensible choice for those who want to see more and depend less on the minibus schedule. The main thing is to sort out the documents in advance, read the contract carefully and choose a reliable partner. Check in advance about the deposit, the insurance and where you can and can't drive this car — and then the road will be remembered for the views of Kazbegi and the Kakheti vineyards, not for arguments in a parking lot. A calm start is half of a good journey.