What Article 268¹ governs
Article 268¹ of the Code of Administrative Offences of Georgia defines the procedure for serving decisions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs on an administrative case, penalty notices and decisions connected with a complaint, as well as other documents — and, most importantly in practice, the conditions for the 20 percent reduction of a fine. The norm contains no sanction; it is the instrument for using the discount correctly and in time.
How the 20 percent discount works
The rule is this: where the violator receives information about the decision or the penalty notice on the case — by short text message or through the official website of the Ministry — and pays the fine within 10 calendar days thereafter, the amount of the fine is reduced by 20 percent. If the fine is not paid within that period, the violator loses the right to use the discount. Ten calendar days is thus the window within which payment is clearly advantageous.
Note also the limits of the discount: it does not extend to the execution of a decision received in connection with a complaint — where a case is at the complaint stage and the decision has changed, payment under the new terms is no longer covered by the discount.
The information procedure
Where a case is examined on the spot, the violator is immediately given a copy of the penalty notice or the decision; upon refusal to receive it, that is noted in the document and the copy is deemed served. Where the case is not examined on the spot, the Ministry sends information by short text message or by another technical means — if the person's contact details exist in its database; at the same time, the copy of the decision or notice is published on the Ministry's official website. After 10 days the copy is sent or handed over according to the place of registration. Where service by post fails or is impossible, the decision is deemed served on the 30th day from publication on the website.
Details of service you should know
A document is deemed served where it is received by the person or by an able-bodied family member living with him at his address. Upon refusal, the delivering person makes a note, and that too counts as service. These details matter for the counting of periods: the 10-day window runs precisely from receipt of the information, and it is therefore best to watch both SMS messages and the Ministry's website.
Practical Steps
Three practical steps: first, on receiving the short message or the receipt, note the date from which the 10-day window runs; second, pay in the middle of the window, not on the last day; third, remember the exclusions — the discount applies neither to the execution of a decision connected with a complaint nor to a violation provided for by another article of the Code. Decide first whether you accept the fine: if you do, paying with the discount is the simplest route; if not, bear in mind that paying with the discount does not cancel the right of appeal, but a decision changed on appeal no longer falls under the discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to the questions most often asked about the fine discount.
How do I obtain the 20 percent reduction?
By paying within 10 calendar days of receiving the information — by short message or through the MIA website; on expiry of the period the right to the discount is lost.
When is the information deemed received?
On consideration on the spot — by handing over a copy, with a note in case of refusal; otherwise — by short message or the website; where postal service fails — on the 30th day from publication.
Does the discount apply to every decision?
No — it does not extend to the execution of a decision connected with a complaint, nor to a violation provided for by another article of the Code.
What happens if the fine is not paid in time?
The right to the discount is lost and a copy is sent or handed to the person according to the place of registration.
How We Help on Legal.ge
Ten calendar days is a short period, and the exact fixation of its start date is the first and most important act. The Legal.ge team will help you count the periods, assess the service procedure and, where necessary, handle the restoration of the discount and the appeal. Contact us in time — managing the deadlines decides everything here. Note the service details too: a mailing is deemed delivered if received by the person or by an able-bodied family member living with them at their address, and a refusal noted by the courier equally counts as delivery; the rules of publication are approved by the minister’s order, and the same procedure extends to electronic decisions and electronic fine receipts.