Article 135³ of the Code of Administrative Offences of Georgia governs the rules on bus stopping places within the administrative boundaries of the Tbilisi municipality, on roads determined by the municipality. The norm divides into two parts: the stopping of a bus outside the established stopping places, and the stopping or standing of another type of vehicle at bus stopping places. Each part triggers its own fine, and each is considered as an independent dispute.
What the Norm Covers
The first part concerns buses (categories M 2 and M 3): stopping outside the established stopping places entails a fine for the driver of 100 lari. The second part concerns other types of vehicles: their stopping or standing at a bus stopping place is assessed with a fine of 50 lari. The key to qualification is category: a vehicle of category M 2 or M 3 counts as a bus, and it is precisely at the stopping places of these categories that the regime of the second part applies. The stop sign and its infrastructure are mandatory elements of the road: their use by other transport is restricted.
Two boundaries deserve separation: the fine is imposed precisely on the driver, not automatically on the owner of the vehicle; and the place of the violation must be considered in relation to an established stopping place — a mere stop on another section of the road is not assessed under this norm. These two boundaries of qualification are often exactly where the dispute unfolds in favour of the acting party.
The Consequence of Not Paying the Fine
The norm sets a model of consecutive sanctioning: if the fine is not voluntarily performed within the period defined by law, a surcharge of twice the amount of the imposed fine accrues to the offender. If the fine and the surcharge remain unpaid within 30 days of the surcharge, a measure securing payment of the fine and the surcharge is applied to the offender in the manner established by the legislation. The practical conclusion is clear: paying the fine immediately or appealing it in due time removes the double burden. The surcharge regime is not a new fine — it is an instrument of enforcement of the existing one, and therefore the moment of its accrual and the counting of terms is a separate detail to verify in the dispute: if the term is counted incorrectly, the surcharge itself becomes unfounded.
Removal of a Vehicle to a Special Impound Lot
Upon commission of the violation provided by the second part, if the offender is not with the vehicle or refuses to move it, the vehicle is subject to immediate removal to a special guarded impound lot. The vehicle is returned to its owner/holder 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 representative body of the municipality is authorized to determine the transportation and storage fee for removal to the impound lot, as well as the fee for blocking the wheels with a special device.
Consideration of the Dispute and Evidence
Three circumstances are decisive in the dispute: location — whether the violation occurred within the administrative boundaries of the Tbilisi municipality, on a road determined by the municipality; category — whether the vehicle is a bus of category M 2/M 3 or another type; and the status of the place — whether the stop occurred at an established stopping place or outside it. The decision is appealed under the general procedure, and a written objection submitted in due time forces the organ to substantiate the place, the category and the status of the stopping place alike. For a consultation it is useful to bring the copy of the decision, photographic material of the stopping place and a description of where and how the event was recorded: the precision of the protocol — where the place is fixed, whether the category and the sign are indicated — most often decides the fate of the case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below we answer the most frequent questions about this norm.
What is the fine for breaching the stopping rules?
Stopping a bus outside the established stopping places — 100 lari; stopping or standing of another vehicle at a bus stopping place — 50 lari.
What happens if the fine is not paid?
After the expiry of the period a surcharge of twice the fine accrues; non-payment within 30 days of the surcharge entails a measure securing payment.
When is a vehicle removed to the impound lot?
For a second-part violation, if the driver is not with the vehicle or refuses to move it; return follows immediately upon payment of the fee and presentation of the documents.
Which categories count as buses?
Categories M 2 and M 3 — it is at the stopping places of these categories that the regime of the second part applies.
How We Help on Legal.ge
The lawyers of Legal.ge check the qualification of the violation — location, category and the status of the stopping place — and represent your interests at every stage of the dispute: from appeal of the decision to mitigation of the sanction. Write to us on Legal.ge — we will help in due time and with the right arguments.