Georgia Road Trip Checklist 2026: What to Know Before You Drive

A Georgia road trip is one of the most rewarding drives in Europe and the Caucasus — but it rewards preparation. The country has world-class highways and remote mountain tracks within a few kilometres of each other. The rules of the road are different from Western Europe in a few specific ways. Insurance works differently. Mountain roads require different thinking than motorway driving.

 

This checklist is designed to be read before you book, before you land, and before you drive off from the rental car lot. Work through it once and you'll arrive at the pickup desk knowing exactly what to expect — and leave with confidence rather than questions.

 

How to use this guide: The checklist items are grouped by when they apply — Before You Book, Before You Fly, At Pickup, On the Road, and On Return. Each section has context so you understand why each item matters, not just what to tick.

 

Before You Book: Decisions That Affect Everything Else

The choices you make before you book determine your options later. Get these right first.

 

Choose the Right Car for Your Route

The single most important pre-booking decision. Georgia's best destinations span a huge range of road difficulty — from excellent highways to steep rocky mountain tracks. Choosing a sedan when your route includes Gergeti Church or Goderdzi Pass will either limit what you can do or strand you mid-track. See our SUV guide for a full route-by-route breakdown.

 

Your route type	Minimum car to book
City driving (Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi) + main highways	Economy sedan
Kazbegi / Georgian Military Highway (highway only)	Sedan is fine
Gergeti Trinity Church (off-road track)	SUV or 4x4
Goderdzi Pass, Adjara highlands	SUV (Forester or above)
Truso Valley, Svaneti upper villages	4x4 with low-range (Prado)
Tusheti (Abano Pass)	Serious 4x4 — experienced drivers only
Family of 5–7 people with mountain routes	Toyota 4Runner 7-seat

 

Decide: One-Way or Return?

If you're flying into one city and out of another — Tbilisi in, Batumi out — a one-way rental saves you backtracking. StarCar charges no drop-off fee between Tbilisi, Kutaisi, and Batumi. Book early: one-way slots fill faster than return rentals, especially in peak season.

 

Book in Advance — Don't Assume Walk-Up Availability

Walk-up rates at Georgian rental desks are 20–40% higher than online prices. In July–August and during holiday weekends (Easter, Orthodox Christmas), SUVs sell out 3–4 weeks ahead. Book online, get written confirmation, and your pickup will be 15 minutes rather than 90.

 

Before You Book — Checklist ☐  Confirmed your route and checked which car type it requires ☐  Decided on one-way or return rental ☐  Checked availability and booked online with confirmation ☐  Noted the included insurance (TPL) and decided on CDW upgrade ☐  Verified: no deposit required (StarCar policy) ☐  Saved the booking confirmation with your booking reference number

 

Before You Fly: Documents, Apps & Preparation

Documents to Prepare

Gather these before leaving home — having them ready at pickup makes the process fast.

 

• Driving licence: Original, not a photocopy. Latin-script licences accepted directly. Non-Latin script (Arabic, Chinese, Cyrillic) requires an IDP or certified translation.
• Passport: Your primary ID at pickup. Some companies also accept national ID cards from EU countries.
• Booking confirmation: Email or printed. Have the booking reference number accessible — not buried in an inbox.
• Payment card: Same name as the booking. Debit or credit card. StarCar does not hold a deposit.
• IDP (if required): Apply through your national automobile association before travel — it cannot be obtained abroad.

 

Apps to Download Before You Land

Mobile data in Georgia is cheap and widely available, but download these before you arrive — the first hour after landing is the wrong time to be setting up navigation.

 

App	Why you need it	Critical action
Google Maps	Primary navigation — detailed Georgia coverage	Download offline maps for Georgia before departure
Maps.me	Best offline map for mountain routes and trails	Download Georgia map — works without signal
georoad.ge	Georgian Roads Department — pass closures, road alerts	Check before mountain drives
WhatsApp	StarCar communicates via WhatsApp for pickup coordination	Ensure installed and number is active
TBC Pay / Pay.ge	Parking payment in Tbilisi city centre zones	Register card in advance
Waze	Good for urban traffic in Tbilisi	Optional — Google Maps is sufficient

 

Check Road Conditions for Mountain Routes

If your itinerary includes Goderdzi Pass, the Georgian Military Highway north of Gudauri, or any high-altitude route, check georoad.ge for current closures in the week before departure. Mountain passes open and close seasonally and can close temporarily after storms. A 10-minute check saves a 3-hour detour.

 

Travel Insurance

Your rental car is covered by the rental agreement — but your personal belongings, medical costs, and trip cancellation are not. Georgian hospitals in Tbilisi are functional but expensive without insurance. Mountain rescue, if needed, is a significant cost. Buy comprehensive travel insurance before departure. Check it covers adventure activities if you're hiking or doing any off-road driving — some policies exclude these.

 

Before You Fly — Checklist ☐  Driving licence in wallet (original) ☐  Passport packed and accessible for pickup ☐  IDP obtained if your licence is non-Latin script ☐  Google Maps offline map for Georgia downloaded ☐  Maps.me Georgia map downloaded ☐  georoad.ge bookmarked — check it before mountain routes ☐  WhatsApp installed and active ☐  Travel insurance confirmed — covers medical + adventure activities ☐  Booking confirmation accessible offline (screenshot or printed) ☐  Car type confirmed against your planned routes

 

At Pickup: What to Do Before You Drive Away

The pickup process takes 15–20 minutes with a pre-booked reservation. The steps below protect you from any disputes at return and ensure you understand the car and agreement before leaving the lot.

 

Do a Full Walk-Around — Photograph Everything

Before accepting the car, photograph every panel, bumper, wheel arch, windscreen, and roof. Use your phone's timestamp. Walk around all four sides, the front, and the rear. If there's a scratch or dent that isn't noted on the damage form, point it out and ask the agent to add it. Send the photos to yourself via WhatsApp or email immediately — this is your evidence if any dispute arises at return.

 

Check the Fuel Level

Confirm the fuel gauge matches what's stated on the rental agreement — usually full. Photograph the dashboard with the gauge visible and the odometer reading. If the tank isn't full and the agreement says full-to-full, note it before you drive.

 

Understand Your Insurance

Ask the agent: "What does my insurance cover, and what am I liable for if the car is damaged?" You should leave the lot knowing: (1) whether CDW is included, (2) what your excess is if it is, and (3) whether off-road driving is covered if your route includes tracks.

 

Check the Car Basics

• Fuel type: Confirm petrol (AI-92 or AI-95) or diesel. Filling with the wrong fuel is an expensive mistake not covered by insurance.
• Spare tyre: Check the boot for a spare and a jack. On mountain gravel roads, tyre punctures are not rare.
• Emergency number: Save the roadside assistance number in your phone before driving away.
• Air conditioning: Test it — Georgia in July is hot. A non-working AC on a summer drive is miserable.
• Windscreen wipers: Especially relevant in Adjara and on mountain routes where rain is frequent.

 

At Pickup — Checklist ☐  Walk-around completed — all panels, bumpers, wheels, windscreen photographed ☐  Photos timestamped and sent to yourself (WhatsApp / email) ☐  Fuel level confirmed and photographed on dashboard ☐  Fuel type confirmed (petrol or diesel) — noted in phone ☐  Insurance coverage understood — CDW status and excess noted ☐  Roadside assistance number saved in phone ☐  Spare tyre and jack confirmed in boot ☐  Rental agreement signed — copy saved ☐  Agent's WhatsApp contact saved

 

On the Road: Georgia's Rules, Hazards & Habits

The Rules That Catch Visitors Off-Guard

Rule	Georgia standard	Notes
Alcohol limit	0.0% BAC — zero tolerance	Strictly enforced — even one drink is illegal
Speed limits	60 urban / 80 rural / 100–110 motorway	Speed cameras are common — obey urban limits
Seatbelts	Mandatory — all seats	Police check this actively outside cities
Mobile phones	Hands-free only	Using a phone while driving is a fineable offence
Headlights	Required outside urban areas	Day and night — turn on when leaving city limits
Child seats	Required under age 12	Book in advance from rental company
Overtaking	Right-hand traffic, left overtake	Mountain roads — uphill traffic has priority
Pedestrian crossings	Pedestrians have absolute right of way	Stop completely — cameras monitor this in Tbilisi

 

Mountain Road Rules

• Uphill priority: On single-track mountain roads, the vehicle going uphill has right of way. The downhill vehicle must find a passing place and wait.
• Horn use: On blind corners on mountain tracks, a short horn tap warns oncoming traffic. This is expected, not aggressive.
• Reversing on steep tracks: If you need to reverse on a steep unpaved section, do it slowly and use a guide if available — having a passenger outside the car spotting your rear wheels is standard practice on technical tracks.
• Night driving: Avoid mountain tracks after dark unless you know the route well. Animals on the road, unlit drop-offs, and disorientation in unfamiliar terrain are all real hazards.

 

Fuel Strategy

Never let the tank drop below a quarter in rural Georgia. The rule of thumb:

 

• Main highways (S1, S3): Fuel stations every 40–60 km — no concern.
• Georgian Military Highway above Gudauri: Fill up in Gudauri or Pasanauri before heading north.
• Goderdzi / Adjara mountain routes: Fill up in Keda — sparse beyond.
• Svaneti: Fill up in Zugdidi before the Enguri road — Mestia has one station but supply is inconsistent.
• Tusheti: Fill up in Telavi and carry a jerrycan — no fuel beyond Alvani.

 

Parking in Georgian Cities

City	Paid zone	Rate	Payment method
Tbilisi centre	Blue signs — Rustaveli, Vake, Old Town	1–2 GEL / hour	TBC Pay app, Pay.ge, or SMS
Batumi centre	Boulevard and Piazza area	1–2 GEL / hour	App or cash at meter
Kutaisi centre	Limited paid zones	1 GEL / hour	Cash at meter
Outside centres	Free	Free	—

 

If You're in an Accident

Step 1: Check for injuries — call 112 (emergency services) if anyone is hurt.

 

Step 2: If no injuries and the cars are drivable, move vehicles off the road if safe to do so.

 

Step 3: Call the Georgian Traffic Police: 126. For a rental car accident involving another vehicle, a police report is required for any insurance claim.

 

Step 4: Photograph the scene, both vehicles, licence plates, and any damage before moving anything.

 

Step 5: Call StarCar roadside assistance using the number in your rental agreement.

 

Zero tolerance for alcohol: Georgia's 0.0% BAC law is enforced at random roadside checkpoints and after any accident. There is no 'trace amount' exemption — even one beer makes driving illegal. Taxis and rideshare (Bolt is widely available in Tbilisi, Batumi, and Kutaisi) are inexpensive alternatives for evenings out.

 

On the Road — Daily Habit Checklist ☐  Fuel level checked each morning — never below quarter tank in rural areas ☐  georoad.ge checked before any mountain route ☐  Offline maps confirmed available before areas with weak signal ☐  Phone on hands-free mount — not in hand ☐  Headlights on when leaving urban areas ☐  Seatbelts on — all passengers ☐  Roadside assistance number accessible

 

At Return: How to Hand Back Without Disputes

Fuel Level

Return with the same fuel level as at pickup — standard practice is full-to-full. Fill up in the city before driving to the airport — there may not be a convenient station in the final kilometre. Returning below full results in a refuelling charge at above-market rates.

 

Walk-Around at Return

The agent will inspect the car at return. Be present for this walk-around — don't hand over the keys and leave. If any damage is identified, refer to the photos you took at pickup. If it's in your photos from Day 1, it's pre-existing and not your liability.

 

Timing — Allow a Buffer

Allow at least 90 minutes between car return and your check-in deadline. The return inspection takes 10–15 minutes; the walk to the terminal, check-in, and security take additional time. Don't cut it close — if the handover raises a question, you need time to resolve it without missing a flight.

 

Get a Return Receipt

Ask for a written confirmation that the car has been returned in satisfactory condition — this can be a WhatsApp message from the agent, an email, or a stamped form. This closes the rental formally and protects you against any claim made after you've left the country.

 

At Return — Checklist ☐  Tank filled to same level as pickup (usually full) ☐  Present for the return walk-around — don't leave until inspection complete ☐  Pre-existing damage photos available on phone in case of dispute ☐  Return receipt or confirmation message received from agent ☐  90-minute buffer before check-in deadline — not 30 minutes

 

Quick Reference: Georgia Road Trip Numbers

What	Number / Detail
Emergency services (police, ambulance, fire)	112
Traffic Police	126
Georgian Roads Department (road conditions)	georoad.ge
StarCar roadside assistance	In your rental agreement — save at pickup
Bolt (rideshare) — available in Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi	Bolt app
Tbilisi parking payment	TBC Pay app or Pay.ge
Legal blood alcohol limit	0.0% BAC — zero tolerance
Speed limits	60 urban / 80 rural / 100–110 motorway km/h
Minimum rental age (StarCar)	20 years — no young driver surcharge
Deposit required (StarCar)	None — no card hold

 

Checklist complete. Now book the car. StarCar delivers to Tbilisi, Kutaisi, and Batumi airports. Sedans, SUVs, and 7-seaters. Free cancellation, no hidden fees, no deposit. → Browse cars at starcar.ge/cars

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive in Georgia?

No — if your driving licence is in the Latin alphabet (UK, EU, US, Australian, Canadian), you do not need an IDP. Georgia accepts foreign licences directly. If your licence uses a non-Latin script — Arabic, Chinese, Russian Cyrillic, Georgian — you will need an IDP issued by your national automobile association before departure. An IDP cannot be obtained in Georgia.

What is the alcohol limit for drivers in Georgia?

Georgia has a strict zero-tolerance policy — 0.0% BAC. There is no legal trace amount. Even a single alcoholic drink makes driving illegal. This is enforced at roadside checkpoints and after any accident. The fine is substantial and your rental insurance will be void if you cause an accident while over the legal limit. Use Bolt or a taxi for any evening that involves alcohol.

What should I do if I get a flat tyre on a mountain road in Georgia?

First, move the car to the side of the road if safe. Check whether the rental car has a spare tyre and jack in the boot — confirm this at pickup. If you have a spare, change it and continue to the nearest town to get the tyre repaired or replaced. If you don't have a spare or can't change it safely, call StarCar roadside assistance using the number in your rental agreement. On popular mountain routes like the Georgian Military Highway, local drivers are generally very willing to stop and assist.

Is it safe to drive in Georgia at night?

On main highways between cities, night driving is safe. On mountain roads — the Georgian Military Highway north of Gudauri, Goderdzi Pass, Svaneti, and any off-road tracks — night driving is not recommended for visitors unfamiliar with the roads. Hazards include livestock on the road, unlit drop-offs on mountain edges, and disorientation in unfamiliar dark terrain. Plan mountain driving for daylight hours.

How do I pay for parking in Tbilisi?

Paid parking zones in central Tbilisi (Rustaveli, Vake, Old Town, Vera) are marked with blue signs. Payment is via the TBC Pay app or Pay.ge — both require a card registered in advance, so set one up before you need it. Some older meters accept cash. The rate is typically 1–2 GEL per hour. Outside the central paid zones, parking is generally free.