--- title: "Driving Without License Defense" url: "https://legal.ge/en/service/administrative-and-public-law-en/driving-without-license-defense-en" field: "Administrative & Public Law" description: "Driving without a license, Article 121: fines from 500 to 1500 lari, surcharge and appeal. Legal.ge." reviewed: "2026-07-09" updated: "2026-10-14" publisher: "legal.ge" --- # Driving Without License Defense > Source: legal.ge, https://legal.ge/en/service/administrative-and-public-law-en/driving-without-license-defense-en ## What Administrative Article 121 Covers Article 121 of the Georgian Administrative Offences Code governs two types of conduct: driving a vehicle by a person who has no right to drive or whose right has been suspended for another violation, and handing over a vehicle for driving to a minor or to a person who has no such right or whose right is suspended. The distinction matters because in the first case liability falls on the person carrying out the operation of the vehicle, and in the second — on its owner or proprietor. Disputes often turn precisely on who was the actual driver and whose decision it was to entrust the vehicle — that determines which part of the article applies and, with it, the amount of the fine and the subject of liability. ## Fines by Part of the Violation Under the first part of the article, driving without a right to drive or with a right suspended for another violation entails a fine of 500 lari on the person carrying out the operation of the vehicle. Under the second part, handing over a vehicle for driving to a minor (except one who has been granted the right to drive) or to a person without such a right entails a fine of 700 lari on the owner or proprietor. The third part applies where the violation is followed by light damage to the vehicle, cargo, road or other structure, other property or slight bodily injury — the fine then amounts to 1000 lari. The fourth part concerns repetition: repeated commission of a violation under this article within 1 year entails a fine of 1500 lari or administrative arrest for up to 15 days. ## Surcharge, Replacement of the Fine and Admission to the Examination The notes to the article regulate the practical details of payment. After the expiry of the period allowed for voluntary performance, a surcharge equal to double the amount of the fine, but not more than 500 lari, is imposed on the person; and where the fine or surcharge remains unpaid within the established period, the fine is replaced by suspension of the right to drive a vehicle for 6 months. Payment of the fine, or its replacement by suspension, does not release the person from paying the surcharge. A special rule concerns persons without a driving right: a person who committed the violation while having no right to drive is admitted to the examination for obtaining that right only after paying the imposed fine — meaning that non-payment blocks obtaining the licence. Note also that for a repeated violation under the fourth part the person is deprived of the right to carry a weapon for up to 3 years. ## Who Answers for a Minor A note to the article distributes liability for the case where the person operating the vehicle or the proprietor indicated in the registration certificate has not reached the age established by the Code: in that case liability for this administrative offence is imposed on the minor's legal representative. This norm is addressed to parents and guardians: a minor driving a car makes the fine the legal representative's problem. The practical conclusion is simple — control over the keys and over handing the vehicle to a minor is a risk that begins with taking money out of the parent's pocket, and in the case of repetition also with administrative arrest. ## Defending Against an Unfounded Violation In practice, a portion of cases under this article rests on an inspector's conclusion that the person had no right to drive or that it was suspended. Defense opportunities appear where the argument concerns which part applies: for example, the fact and duration of a suspension for another violation and the timing of its restoration, or whether the person was actually driving. The rule on admission to the examination after payment of the fine also creates a specific procedural context tied to the person's motivation. The general rule: immediately after the violation is recorded, the circumstances should be described in writing, witnesses noted and documentation preserved — later these details become the basis for appealing the decision, and the deadlines for such appeals are short. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What fine applies to driving without a right? 500 lari on the person operating the vehicle. Where the vehicle is handed to a minor or a person without a right, the fine is 700 lari for the owner. With light damage — 1000 lari, and for repetition within 1 year — 1500 lari or administrative arrest for up to 15 days. ### What happens if the fine is not paid? After the voluntary-payment period expires, a surcharge of double the fine, but not more than 500 lari, is imposed; if it remains unpaid within the period, the fine is replaced by 6 months' suspension of the right to drive. The surcharge obligation remains. ### Can one be admitted to the examination after paying? Yes — a person without a driving right is admitted to the examination for obtaining it after paying the imposed fine. ### Who answers for a minor's driving? Where the operator or proprietor has not reached the age established by the Code, liability is imposed on the legal representative. ### My driving right has been suspended — how do I appeal the decision and recover the right? Challenging a suspension decision is the task of a separate service — "Appeal of a Driving-Licence Suspension" — while the reduction of the term and the return of the licence are covered by "Restoration of a Suspended Driving Right and Return of the Licence — Reduction of the Term". Plan the sequence of defense and restoration steps together with a lawyer so that the appeal deadlines are not lost. ### How is the fine imposed for this violation appealed? The appeal route depends on whether the fine was imposed on the spot or through photo or video fixation: for an on-the-spot fine see the service "Appeal of an On-the-Spot Fine — the Penalty Receipt and the 20% Discount Decision", and for a fine recorded by photo or video fixation — "Appeal of a Fine Recorded on Video or Photo". ## How We Help on Legal.ge On Legal.ge we help in disputes under administrative Article 121: we assess the qualification of the violation and the part applied, prepare the appeal against the decision, plan the optimal resolution of the fine and surcharge, and also defend parents in cases involving minors. Contact us — appeal deadlines in administrative cases are short. ### What triggers Article 121? Driving without a right or with a suspended right, and handing a vehicle to a minor or a person without a right. The fines range from 500 to 1500 lari. ### What is a repeated violation? A new commission of this violation within 1 year. It entails a 1500 lari fine or administrative arrest for up to 15 days. ### How is an unpaid fine converted? By a surcharge of double the fine, but not more than 500 lari; if unpaid within the period — by 6 months' suspension of the right to drive. ### When is a person admitted to the examination? A person without a driving right is admitted to the examination after paying the imposed fine. ### My driving right has been suspended — how do I appeal the decision and recover the right? Challenging a suspension decision is the task of a separate service — "Appeal of a Driving-Licence Suspension" — while the reduction of the term and the return of the licence are covered by "Restoration of a Suspended Driving Right and Return of the Licence — Reduction of the Term". Plan the sequence of defense and restoration steps together with a lawyer so that the appeal deadlines are not lost. ### How is the fine imposed for this violation appealed? The appeal route depends on whether the fine was imposed on the spot or through photo or video fixation: for an on-the-spot fine see the service "Appeal of an On-the-Spot Fine — the Penalty Receipt and the 20% Discount Decision", and for a fine recorded by photo or video fixation — "Appeal of a Fine Recorded on Video or Photo".