10 min
Learn how to quickly check traffic fines in Georgia and pay them on time. This guide is prepared by our car rental company based on real situations experienced by our clients. We will share all the methods for checking fines, payment options, and useful tips to ensure your trip goes smoothly without unnecessary worries.
Ways to Check Traffic Fines in Georgia
Checking for traffic fines in Georgia can be done in several ways. Below are all available options, including the official online portal, SMS notifications, banks and payment terminals, as well as a dedicated resource for fines related to fare evasion in public transport:
- Through the official Ministry of Internal Affairs portal (videos.police.ge) – The main website of the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs for checking fines. Note: it is accessible only from within Georgia, so outside the country a VPN with a Georgian IP is required. On the portal, you can enter vehicle details to find out about issued fines.
- SMS notifications – In Georgia, it is common to notify vehicle owners about new fines via SMS. If the vehicle owner (or renter) has a registered Georgian phone number, the system automatically sends an SMS when a violation is detected by a camera. Tourists with foreign numbers only receive SMS if the contact number was registered (for example, in the border service database or with the car rental company).
- Through banks and payment terminals – Major Georgian banks (e.g., Bank of Georgia, TBC Bank) and payment terminal networks (TBC Pay, Pay Box, etc.) allow you to check fines by vehicle number. At the terminal screen or with a bank employee, select the fines payment section and enter the car’s registration number (sometimes the vehicle registration certificate number is also required). The system will show any unpaid fines and their amounts.
- Through the Tbilisi Transport Company website (ttc.com.ge) – This resource is intended for checking fines for fare evasion on public transport in Tbilisi. If a controller issued you a fine on a bus, metro, or funicular for unpaid travel, you can check and pay it online. The TTC website has a section called “Payment of penalties”, where you can check by fine number (protocol) or by the owner’s personal ID. For tourists, it is more convenient to use the fine receipt number issued on the spot.
How to Use the Official Ministry of Internal Affairs Portal
To find out about fines through videos.police.ge, follow these steps:
- Connect to a Georgian VPN. The MIA website may not open outside Georgia – use a VPN with a Georgian IP address to bypass this restriction.
- Go to the Georgian MIA portal (videos.police.ge). The interface is usually in Georgian (browser translation is possible).
- Choose the checking method. The portal offers several tabs: search by protocol (fine number), search by the offender’s personal data, or search by vehicle information. For tourists, the easiest is to search by vehicle data.
- Enter the vehicle details. You will need to enter the vehicle registration number (Latin letters and numbers) and the vehicle registration certificate number (series/number) or VIN. Example: ABA1234 and the registration certificate number from the documents.
- Click the search button. The system will display a list of all fines associated with this vehicle. You will see the violation date, description (in Georgian, but main words are understandable: e.g., speeding, parking, etc.), and fine amount.
Our experience: Many tourists have contacted us unable to access the official website on their own. We help clients check fines through our internal system – especially useful when the traveler has already left Georgia and does not have a Georgian VPN. Thanks to our staff in Tbilisi, one tourist found out about a speeding fine in time and managed to pay it before penalties were added.
SMS Notifications of Fines
If a local phone number was provided when registering the vehicle in Georgia (or when renting), the system automatically sends an SMS notification when a fine is issued. The message usually includes: date and type of violation, fine number, and amount due.
- For local vehicle owners: make sure your current phone number is linked to the vehicle documents. Then you will immediately receive a message for any violation (e.g., detected by camera).
- For tourists with their own vehicles: foreign plates are also detected by cameras (since 2023, “smart” cameras recognize foreign numbers). However, SMS will only arrive if Georgian authorities know your contact. At the border, you may have left your phone number in the entry form – in that case, there is a chance to receive a notification.
- When renting a car: usually the SMS about a fine goes to the car owner (rental company). Many rental companies immediately inform clients about received fines, forwarding the SMS or email. Our advice – stay in contact with the rental company after your trip: if a fine arrives, discuss who and how will pay it.
Practical example: One of our clients rented a car in Tbilisi and left the country unaware of a violation. A couple of weeks later, the rental company received an SMS about a parking fine and contacted us. We helped the tourist pay the fine remotely, avoiding problems with re-entering Georgia.
Checking Fines via Banks and Terminals
Bank branches: In almost any Georgian bank branch, staff can check your fines. Just provide the cashier with the vehicle registration number (and the registration certificate if required). The bank employee will access the MIA database and inform you if there are any outstanding fines. This method is convenient if you are already in Georgia and face difficulties with online checks.
Payment terminals: Terminals are installed nationwide (e.g., TBC Pay, Pay Box, etc.), where you can independently enter data to check for fines. How to do it:
- Select the payment category on the terminal screen (usually “MIA Fines” or the road police icon).
- Enter the vehicle number. Some terminals may request additional information – the vehicle registration certificate number for verification.
- After entering the data, the system will display your fines (if any) with amounts. You can immediately pay with cash or card.
- Be sure to keep the receipt issued by the terminal. It serves as proof if questions arise with the police or at the border.
Tip: Payment terminals often have Russian or English interfaces, making it easier for tourists. In case of difficulties, locals or our guide can assist you. Many clients noted that TBC Pay terminals are convenient – the menu is intuitive and payment can be completed in a few minutes.
Fines for Fare Evasion: TTC Website
If you received a fine in public transport (e.g., ticket inspectors fined you for unpaid travel on a Tbilisi bus or metro), these fines must be checked separately. Tbilisi Transport Company (TTC) manages these violations.
To check a fare evasion fine:
- Go to the TTC website and find the section “Payment of penalties via internet” (available in English and Georgian).
- Choose the checking method: by protocol number or by personal ID (if you have a Georgian ID). For tourists, it is easier to use the protocol number indicated on the receipt issued by the inspector.
- Enter the required information to get fine details and amount. You can also pay the fine online using a bank card directly from this site.
Fines for fare evasion are usually small (around 5–10 GEL), but must be paid. Otherwise, questions may arise on your next visit or when applying for a transport card. We recommend keeping the receipt issued by the inspector until the fine is fully paid.
Ways to Pay Traffic Fines
Paying Georgian fines is as versatile as checking them. Choose the method that is most convenient for you:
- Online payment: If you successfully found the fine on the official MIA portal, payment options are usually listed there. Most often, you need to go through an electronic payment system (e.g., via Bank of Georgia or another bank) and enter your card details. Some fines (e.g., from Tbilisi Transport Company) can be paid directly on the service website. Note: foreign Visa/MasterCard cards are usually accepted, and the currency is automatically converted to GEL.
- Through payment terminals: As described above, terminals allow both checking and paying fines. After the amount appears on the screen, simply pay (cash or card, depending on the terminal). The terminal will register the payment. This method is convenient for those already in Georgia – terminals are located in shopping centers, gas stations, bank lobbies, and other busy places.
- At bank branches: You can pay the fine directly at the cashier of any major Georgian bank. Inform the cashier you want to pay a traffic fine, provide the vehicle number and ownership or rental document (if necessary). The bank employee will locate the fine in the system and accept payment in cash or by card. A receipt will be issued. This traditional method is reliable, though it may take more time (queue, processing).
Tip from our company: If you have already left Georgia and discovered a fine but online payment is not available, contact us. We can assist with remote payment through our representatives in Georgia so you settle the fine on time.
Important Details and Payment Deadlines
Do not neglect paying fines in Georgia. Keep in mind several important rules and consequences:
- Fines do not expire. In Georgia, a traffic fine does not disappear over time. Even after several years, an unpaid fine remains associated with you or your vehicle. In other words, fines do not “vanish” until paid.
- 20% discount for prompt payment. Georgian law encourages drivers to pay fines promptly. If the violation is detected by an automated camera, paying within 10 days gives you a 20% discount on the fine amount. This is a great reason to settle fines immediately and save money. The discount is applied automatically: simply pay, and the system deducts 20%.
- 30 days without penalty. The standard payment period is 30 calendar days from the date of the fine. Payment must be made within this period; otherwise, a penalty interest (late fee) starts accruing. This increases the total amount, so delays are unwise. The interest is small (daily percentage of the fine), but over months it can add up.
- Problems on exit and re-entry. Unpaid fines may cause issues at the border. Georgian border and customs authorities receive fine debt information. If the fine is overdue, you may be asked to pay immediately upon exit (some border points have cashiers or terminals). Moreover, with large unpaid fines, entry into Georgia may be denied until debts are settled. We know cases of tourists turned back at the border due to unpaid fines. Therefore, we strongly recommend settling all fines before the end of your trip.
Features and Recommendations for Tourists
Below are specific tips based on common situations travelers face. These recommendations are based on our experience with tourists in Georgia:
- If checking fines from outside Georgia: The main difficulty is accessing official services. Solution: use a VPN with a Georgian IP to access videos.police.ge or similar sites. There are also special online services and bots that help check fines remotely. For example, the Russian-language Telegram bot @FinesGe_bot can find fines and even send notifications for new ones using the vehicle number and registration certificate. Use such tools if the official portal is inaccessible. Don’t forget to save screenshots or fine numbers to pay later without issues.
- If a fine arrives after returning a rented car: This happens if cameras recorded a violation but the information was processed days later. Usually, the rental company receives the notification (SMS or email) and may either pay the fine from your deposit or ask you to pay it yourself. Our advice: check the rental agreement for the fine policy. Reputable companies (like ours) inform clients and provide a receipt for payment. If you have already left, contact the rental company – they can pay the fine on your behalf (with reimbursement from you) or suggest a convenient remote payment method. Do not ignore such fines: even after leaving, the debt remains with the vehicle, and questions will arise on your next visit to Georgia.
- Convenient mobile apps and websites: While traveling, a computer is not always available – much can be done from a smartphone. Fortunately, bank platforms (e.g., Bank of Georgia or TBC mobile apps) allow clients to pay fines online. With a Georgian bank card, you can see and pay fines in a few clicks. For visitors without local banking, online bots and websites help – the Telegram bot mentioned above, or web services with mobile support. The TTC website is also mobile-optimized for public transport fine checks. We recommend installing a VPN on your phone in advance to quickly access the official MIA portal if necessary.
We hope our guide helps you understand the nuances of checking and paying fines in Georgia. Our company strives to make your trip comfortable and safe – sharing advice based on personal experience and that of hundreds of tourists. Follow traffic rules, and if a fine is issued, now you know how to promptly check and settle it. We wish you pleasant and carefree travels in hospitable Georgia!
