What Article 135³ of the Administrative Offences Code covers
Article 135³ of the Code of Administrative Offences of Georgia governs the rules on bus stopping places in the Tbilisi municipality. The norm addresses two situations. The first is buses stopping at places other than the established stopping places; the second is other types of vehicles stopping or standing precisely at bus stopping places. The article thus looks separately at two opposite breaches: a bus that stops where it should not, and a car that stands in a bus stop.
The norm applies within the administrative boundaries of the Tbilisi municipality, on the roads determined by the municipality, and concerns buses of categories M2 and M3 — the vehicles intended for the mass carriage of passengers.
The sanctions under both parts
Under the first part, where a bus stops at a place other than the established stopping places, the driver of the vehicle is fined 100 GEL. Under the second part, where another type of vehicle stops or stands at a bus stopping place, the fine is 50 GEL. The driver's fine is thus determined by which part the act is qualified under.
The consequence of not paying the fine
A note to the article provides that after the period fixed by the Code for voluntary performance expires, the person is charged a surcharge equal to double the imposed fine. Where the fine and the surcharge remain unpaid within 30 days of the charging of the surcharge, measures to secure payment are carried out. An unpaid fine thus doubles, and only after that does a further thirty-day window remain.
Removal of a vehicle to a special impound lot
In the case of a breach under the second part — where another vehicle stands at a bus stop — if the violator is not with the vehicle or refuses to move it, the vehicle is immediately transferred to a special impound lot. It is returned upon presentation of a document confirming payment of the transportation and storage fee, the vehicle registration certificate or a power of attorney, and an identity document. The transportation and storage fee at the impound lot, as well as the fee for blocking the wheels with a special device, are determined by the representative body of the municipality.
How we can help
The lawyers of legal.ge will assess the qualification of the act — whether the correct part was applied — verify the counting of the fine and the surcharge, assist with the return of a car from the impound lot, and prepare an appeal. For a consultation, bring the fine decision, the vehicle documents and the driver's licence. And remember: a bus stop belongs to buses — occupying it with another vehicle, and especially leaving it there unattended, falls directly under this article.
Qualification details and practical tips
The line between the two parts is often disputed in practice. The first part concerns the driver of a bus of category M2 or M3 who stops at a place other than the established stop — for instance at a passenger's request, because of road conditions, or at the entrance of a residential building. The second part concerns cars that occupy a bus stop by standing or stopping there. The act must record precisely which part is applied, because the fine depends on it — 100 or 50 GEL.
Removal to a special impound lot is a separate economic factor: the transportation and storage fee grows with every day, and its amount is determined by the representative body of the municipality. If a car stands at a bus stop and an inspector arrives, moving the car immediately is always the cheaper way out than the impound lot and the fee. And if the car has already been moved — preparing the full package of documents speeds up its return.
Remember also the surcharge mechanics: the voluntary payment period is fixed by the Code, and after it expires the fine doubles. The practical rule is simple — read the fine document immediately upon receipt and draw up a payment plan without delay.
A detailed consultation by our team covers every document of the case — start in good time, before periods and fees have grown.
Bear in mind also that a bus stop sign and its infrastructure are mandatory elements of the road: their use by other transport is prohibited, and this rule should be part of general awareness.