How to Get a Driving Licence?

Getting a driving licence in Georgia takes a few consecutive steps. First, you choose a category and check that you meet the age requirement. Next, you get a health certificate and pass the theory exam. This is followed by the practical exam, which for category B is held in two stages: on a closed course and in the city. Finally, the licence is issued by the Public Service Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

What Do You Need to Get a Driving Licence?

To get a driving licence, you need to meet four main conditions:

• Age: You must have reached the minimum age set for the chosen category. For category B, this is 17.
• Health certificate: You submit a health certificate to the Agency, form №IV-100/a.
• Preparation: Candidates under 18 must complete a driving school course. Adults can prepare for category B on their own.
• Fees: The fees for exam admission and licence issuance must be paid in advance.

The exact requirements vary by category. For example, categories C and D also require driving experience with a category B licence. So check the requirements on the official website of the Public Service Agency before you apply.

Getting a Driving Licence Step by Step

1. Choose Your Licence Category

The category determines which vehicles you will be allowed to drive. A regular passenger car requires category B, while motorcycles, trucks and buses require other categories. The age requirement, exam stages and fees all depend on the category you choose.

2. Prepare the Required Documents

You need to prepare your documents before the theory exam. If anything is missing, you won't be admitted to the exam, even with a booking. The main list is as follows:

• Proof of identity;
• Health certificate (form №IV-100/a), which must be submitted to the Agency within 180 days of issue;
• Fee payment receipt (paper, electronic or SMS);
• For candidates under 18: consent from a parent or guardian and a driving school certificate.

Your photo is taken on site at the Agency, so you don't need to bring one.

3. Book the Theory Exam and Prepare

You need to book a slot for the theory exam in advance on the Public Service Agency's exam booking platform. For your first booking, you pay 55 GEL. This covers exam admission (40 GEL) and the licence issuance fee (15 GEL), which you pay in advance.

The best way to prepare is with the official exam question sets, as these are exactly the questions you will get in the exam, also, it will help you to read terms and changes in driving licence exam. Driving school is not mandatory for category B if you are over 18, but it helps many people prepare for the exam.

4. Pass the Theory Exam

The theory exam is taken on a computer. For category B, you answer 30 questions in 30 minutes, and you need at least 25 correct answers to pass. Arrive 10 minutes early with your documents in hand.

5. Pass the Practical Exam

The category B practical exam consists of two stages:

• Stage one (closed course): You perform set manoeuvres on a special course. You must pass this stage within 30 calendar days of passing the theory exam; otherwise, your theory result is cancelled.
• Stage two (city): You drive in real traffic on an exam route. You can take this exam no earlier than 15 days and no later than 365 days after passing the closed course. You book a slot in advance, choose the transmission type (manual or automatic) when booking, and pay the fee.

Categories A, A1, A2 and B1 have no city stage. The licence is issued after you pass the closed-course exam.

6. Receive Your Driving Licence

After you pass all the exams, your driving licence is prepared within 7 working days. When it is ready, you will receive an SMS and can collect it at your chosen branch. You have already paid the issuance fee with your first booking. If you are in a hurry, you can get your licence on the day of the exam or within 1 working day for an additional fee.

From What Age Can You Get a Driving Licence?

You can get a category B driving licence from the age of 17. A 17-year-old candidate needs to complete a driving school course and have written consent from a parent or guardian. The parent doesn't have to attend if you have notarised consent.

The minimum age differs for other categories: from 16 to 24, depending on which vehicle you want to drive.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Driving Licence?

Under the Public Service Agency's current rates, the main fees for category B are as follows:

• First booking (theory, closed course and licence issuance): 55 GEL;
• Re-admission to the theory exam and closed course: 40 GEL;
• City exam (categories B and BE, per attempt): 90 GEL.

If you pass every exam on the first attempt, the Agency's services will cost you 145 GEL in total. On top of this comes the cost of the health certificate and, if needed, driving school and driving lessons. These costs vary by provider.

For candidates under 18, the first attempt at the theory exam and the closed course is free. If they pass both on the first try, the first city exam attempt is free as well. Socially vulnerable persons get a 50% discount under the same conditions. The city exam fee is different for other categories.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Driving Licence?

There is no fixed timeframe: it depends on your preparation, available exam slots and how many attempts you need. However, based on the deadlines set by law, the shortest path for category B looks like this:

• You pass the closed course within 30 days of passing the theory exam;
• You can take the city exam no earlier than 15 days after the closed course;
• The licence is prepared within 7 working days unless you choose the express service.

So even if you pass every exam on the first attempt, the process takes several weeks. If you fail, the mandatory waiting period before a retake extends this timeframe.

Conclusion

It's best to start the process of getting a driving licence by choosing your category and getting a health certificate. Then book a theory exam slot and use the official question sets to prepare. And once you have your licence, if you're thinking about your own car or scooter, you can also buy it through Mogo leasing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to attend driving school to get a driving licence?

From the age of 18 for categories B, A1, A2 and B1, and from 21 for category A, you can take the exam without driving school. Under 18, completing a driving school course is mandatory.

What happens if I fail the driving licence exam?

• Theory: You can retake it no earlier than the 7th day, for 40 GEL.
• Closed course: You can also retake it no earlier than the 7th day, but you must still fit within the 30-day window after passing the theory exam.
• City: You can retake it no earlier than 30 days later. If you don't show up for a booked exam or arrive late, you won't be able to retake it for 90 days.

Can I drive as soon as I pass the exam?

No. You get the right to drive once you receive your licence, so until you collect the finished licence at the branch, you may not drive on your own.