Can you enter Georgia by car with Russian plates, and do you need a power of attorney for the vehicle?

To drive in Georgia, a Russian citizen needs both documents together: the national Russian driving license and the International Driving Permit (IDP). The IDP is essentially a certified translation of the national license and cannot be used on its own.

If the vehicle is registered to someone else (e.g., a spouse) and you are the driver, the owner does not need to be present at the border. You will need a power of attorney authorizing you to drive the vehicle.

Driving in Georgia on Russian licenses is permitted, but automatically extended licenses (where the expiry date on the card itself has not been updated) may not be recognized. It is advisable to replace the license with one showing a current valid date before traveling.

Russian OSAGO insurance is not valid in Georgia. You can purchase local insurance at the border crossing — agents are typically available at entry points. Exact prices vary; check current rates on arrival.

Travelers have raised concerns about whether cars with Crimean license plates are allowed into Georgia. There is no clear official public ban, but such vehicles may face additional scrutiny at the border — it's best to check the current situation before traveling.

When crossing into Georgia in a car that isn't yours, border officers may ask for a power of attorney. A document in Russian is usually accepted, but having a notarized translation into English or Georgian reduces the risk of being turned away.

For those who prefer not to drive their own car, car rentals are widely available in Tbilisi. Russian driving licenses are accepted by most local rental companies — an international driving permit is not strictly required, though some agencies may ask for one.