Article 125² of the Administrative Offences Code of Georgia establishes administrative liability for breaches of the vehicle parking rules within the administrative boundaries of the Tbilisi municipality. In the capital the parking rules are determined by the representative body of the Tbilisi municipality, and their breach entails fines of various amounts. On this page we describe in detail what fine is prescribed for which conduct, when a vehicle may be removed to a special protected parking place or wheel-clamped, and what consequences follow from the non-payment of a fine within the established time limits.
Unpaid parking and electric-vehicle charging places
Under the first part of the article, standing at a parking place without paying the parking fee determined by the representative body of the Tbilisi municipality entails a fine of 50 GEL. Parking at a place intended for charging electric vehicles, without connecting to the charging device, entails a fine of 100 GEL. In addition, a breach of any other parking rule determined by the representative body is fined at 50 GEL. This means that where a vehicle stands at a municipal paid parking place and the fee has not been paid, the offence is already complete and the fine amounts to 50 GEL. Drivers should therefore make sure that the parking fee is paid from the very first minutes of standing at a paid place.
Using a parked vehicle for income-generating activity
A separate norm addresses the situation where a vehicle standing at a parking place is used for an activity carried out for the purpose of generating income, where that parking place is not designated for such activity. Such conduct entails a fine of 100 GEL. If a person already punished for this breach commits the same offence again, the fine rises to 200 GEL. Under a note to the article, in these cases the offender must cease the respective activity within 1 hour of being fined, and where the person carrying out the activity cannot be identified, liability falls on the owner of the vehicle. The official drawing up the protocol may also take measures determined by the representative body to stop the respective violation.
Places for persons with disabilities, sidewalks and fire hydrants
The article gives particular protection to the interests of persons with disabilities: parking by an unauthorised person at a parking place designated for their vehicles, or obstructing movement on a ramp, entails a fine of 200 GEL. A fine of 200 GEL is also provided for failing to comply with the prohibitory sign "Stopping prohibited at a fire hydrant". As regards other typical breaches: standing at a parking place with a vehicle of a type other than the type determined by the municipality is punished with a fine of 100 GEL, and standing or stopping on a sidewalk or a pedestrian crossing — likewise with a fine of 100 GEL, except in the case where standing on the sidewalk is permitted. These rules protect both the free movement of pedestrians and the access of emergency services to hydrants.
Removal to a special protected parking place and wheel clamping
Beyond fines, the law provides for the removal of a vehicle to a special protected parking place or the clamping of its wheels. Specifically, where a vehicle stands at a paid parking place without payment of the fee for more than 12 hours, it may be removed to a special protected parking place or clamped, provided the parking sign carries the relevant notice. In the case of standing on a sidewalk or a pedestrian crossing, or of breaching the prohibition on stopping at a fire hydrant, this measure is applied regardless of any notice. Where another parking rule is breached and traffic is or may be obstructed, the vehicle may likewise be removed if the sign carries the relevant notice. A vehicle removed to a special protected parking place is returned immediately upon presentation of a document confirming payment of the transport and storage fee, the vehicle registration certificate or a power of attorney, a document confirming the right of use, and an identity document.
Payment of the fine, the surcharge and the removal of clamps
A note to the article provides that where a fine under this article is not paid within the period determined by the Code for voluntary payment, the person is charged a surcharge of double the amount of the fine, while in the case of the breach of the places designated for persons with disabilities the surcharge is 200 GEL. If the fine and the surcharge remain unpaid within 30 days of the surcharge, measures to secure payment are taken. It is also established that where a fine ticket is not issued at the scene and the breach is recorded on video and/or photo, the fine is paid in the manner determined by the Code. The wheel clamp is removed immediately upon presentation of a document confirming payment of the clamp-removal fee together with the vehicle documents and an identity document.
Conclusion
Article 125² establishes three principal fines for parking breaches in Tbilisi: 50 GEL for unpaid parking and other general rule breaches, 100 GEL for standing at a charging place without charging, for non-designated income activity, for the wrong vehicle type and for standing on a sidewalk, and 200 GEL for repeated income activity, for the places designated for persons with disabilities and for the fire-hydrant prohibition. Pay the fine and the parking fee promptly to avoid the surcharge and the removal of your vehicle to a special parking place. If you need assistance, the specialists at Legal.ge will help you assess the lawfulness of a ticket issued to you.