The Taxi Market in Tbilisi in 2026: What to Expect
Tbilisi is the largest taxi market in Georgia, with more than 26,000 active taxi permits on public record. New drivers can only get the app-based Category B license, which costs 100 GEL a year, 50 GEL for hybrids and nothing for electric cars.
Tbilisi is the largest taxi market in Georgia, with tens of thousands of rides completed daily. Public records indicate more than 26,000 active taxi permits in Tbilisi, which means the market is competitive but demand remains high - especially for app-based taxi services.
Tbilisi has two categories of taxi licenses: Category A (white taxis, street hailing, no longer issued) and Category B (app-based, any car color, must operate exclusively through apps like Yandex Go and other platforms). If you plan to start driving a taxi in 2026, a Category B license is your only option. Cost, validity, the online application and fines are covered in the Tbilisi taxi permit guide.
The good news is that the Category B license is accessible and the process is relatively straightforward. This article will walk you through every step of becoming a licensed taxi driver in Tbilisi, how much it costs, and how long the entire process takes. See also working in Tbilisi details and register for Yandex Taxi.
A Category B taxi license costs 100 GEL per year. Hybrid vehicles get a 50% discount (50 GEL), and electric vehicles are completely free.
Minimum Requirements: Who Can Become a Taxi Driver?
To drive a taxi in Tbilisi you need a valid Category B driving license with at least 3 years of experience, an ID card or passport, a technically sound car, a clean criminal record and a Form IV-100/a medical certificate.
Before you begin the process, make sure you meet the following minimum requirements:
- Category B driving license - valid, issued in Georgia or notarized for local use
- Minimum 3 years of driving experience - from the date your license was issued
- Valid national ID card or passport
- Technically sound vehicle - owned or leased
- Clean criminal record - certificate from the Public Service Development Agency
- Medical certificate (Form IV-100/a) - including ophthalmologist, narcologist, and psychiatrist evaluations
For foreign nationals since May 2025: to take the driving exam in Georgia, you need a residence permit or at least 185 days of documented stay in Georgia. Ensure your driving license is valid for use in Georgia.
Required Documents and Where to Get Them
Taxi drivers in Tbilisi need seven documents, including a Form IV-100/a medical certificate (30-60 GEL), a criminal record check (10 GEL), a technical inspection every 6 months (60 GEL) and the 100 GEL yearly Category B taxi license.
Here is the complete list of documents required to register as a taxi driver, along with instructions on where to obtain each one:
Technical inspection for taxis is required every 6 months. Register your vehicle at pti.ge and choose a convenient center and time slot. A re-inspection costs only 20 GEL.
| Document | Where to Get | Cost | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| National ID / Passport | House of Justice | 10-50 GEL | Must be valid |
| Category B driving license | Service Agency | 15 GEL (exam fee) | Min. 3 years experience |
| Vehicle registration (tech passport) | Service Agency | 35 GEL (registration) | Must be valid |
| Medical certificate (IV-100/a) | Authorized clinic | 30-60 GEL | 1 year |
| Criminal record check | Public Service Agency / my.gov.ge | 10 GEL | 1 month |
| Technical inspection | Center registered on pti.ge | 60 GEL (re-inspection 20 GEL) | 6 months (for taxis) |
| Category B taxi license | taxi.tbilisi.gov.ge | 100 GEL/year | 1 year |
Step-by-Step Guide: From License to First Ride
With a Georgian driving license and a car, getting through technical inspection, the taxi license and fleet registration to your first Yandex Pro ride takes 3-7 days. Starting from scratch, including getting a driving license, takes 3-6 weeks.
Follow these steps in order to start driving as quickly as possible:
- 1Obtain a Category B driving license - if you already have one with at least 3 years of experience, skip to the next step.
- 2Prepare your vehicle - make sure the car is mechanically sound, the air conditioning works, and there are no visible damages.
- 3Pass the technical inspection - register at pti.ge, cost is 60 GEL. For taxis, inspection every 6 months is mandatory.
- 4Get your Category B taxi license - visit taxi.tbilisi.gov.ge, complete the application, and pay 100 GEL (hybrid: 50 GEL, electric: free).
- 5Obtain a medical certificate (Form IV-100/a) - visit an authorized clinic for the required medical evaluations.
- 6Register with a taxi fleet - choose a reliable fleet like ProRide, which offers fast registration and competitive commission rates.
- 7Install the Yandex Pro app - log in with your account and complete your driver profile setup.
- 8Start accepting ride requests - once your profile is activated, you can begin working immediately.
If you already have a Georgian driving license and a vehicle, the entire process takes 3-7 days. Starting from scratch (including getting your license) takes 3-6 weeks. Register with ProRide and start driving in the shortest time possible.
How Much Does It Cost to Start? Expense Breakdown
If you already own a car and a driving license, starting as a taxi driver in Tbilisi costs roughly 100-250 GEL for the taxi license, technical inspection, medical certificate and criminal record check. ProRide registration and Yandex Pro cost nothing.
Starting as a taxi driver in Tbilisi is relatively affordable. If you already own a car and have a driving license, the minimum startup cost is approximately 160 GEL ($55). Below is a complete breakdown of expenses:
- Category B taxi license: 100 GEL/year (hybrid: 50 GEL, electric: free)
- Technical inspection: 60 GEL (every 6 months)
- Medical certificate: 30-60 GEL
- Criminal record check: 10 GEL
- Taxi fleet registration (ProRide): free
- Yandex Pro app: free
| Expense Type | Minimum | Maximum | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi license | 0 GEL | 100 GEL | Electric: 0, hybrid: 50, standard: 100 |
| Technical inspection | 60 GEL | 80 GEL | 60 GEL + 20 GEL re-inspection (if needed) |
| Medical certificate | 30 GEL | 60 GEL | Varies by clinic |
| Criminal record check | 10 GEL | 10 GEL | Fixed fee |
| Total | ~100 GEL | ~250 GEL | Excluding car and driving license costs |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most common mistakes new Tbilisi taxi drivers make are letting the taxi license lapse, not comparing platforms and fleets, ignoring the rating system (keep it at 4.8 or higher) and not understanding how a commission is structured.
When starting out as a taxi driver, many newcomers make mistakes that lead to financial losses or wasted time. Here are the 5 most common mistakes and how to avoid them:
- Not activating your license on time - in November 2025, taxi drivers had accumulated 9 million GEL in unpaid fines, which led to an amnesty. Activate your license promptly and never let it expire.
- Failing to compare platforms - different taxi platforms offer different commission rates, order volumes, and payment terms. Compare conditions before making your choice.
- Choosing the wrong taxi fleet - the fleet commission directly impacts your earnings. Choose a reliable fleet with transparent terms.
- Ignoring the rating system - a low rating means fewer orders and lower income. Maintain a 4.8+ rating with a clean car, courteous service, and good route knowledge.
- Not understanding the commission structure. Ask whether a quoted percentage is only the fleet's share or the total, and what a payout costs. ProRide publishes its terms: a flat 6.5% fleet commission, Yandex's commission charged separately, and a payout fee from 0.55 GEL.
Driving a taxi without a license is illegal and carries significant fines. In November 2025, an amnesty was declared for 9 million GEL in accumulated fines, but such exceptions are rare.
ProRide (Yandex Go) - Advantages
Yandex Go is the most popular taxi platform in Tbilisi, with high order volume and surge pricing of x1.2-x3.0 at peak times. ProRide's fleet commission on Yandex Go is a fixed 6.5%, with daily payouts and 24/7 fleet support.
Yandex Go is the most popular taxi platform in Tbilisi. ProRide taxi fleet offers the following conditions for working on Yandex Go:
Many experienced drivers work on multiple platforms simultaneously to maximize their income. Registering through ProRide on Yandex Go is the best starting point due to high demand and daily payouts. Register with ProRide and start driving.
| Criteria | ProRide (Yandex Go) |
|---|---|
| Market share in Tbilisi | High |
| Fleet commission (ProRide) | 6.5%, fixed |
| Payment frequency | Daily |
| Order volume | High |
| Surge pricing (peak) | x1.2-x3.0 |
| Support languages | Georgian, Russian |
| Fleet support | Yes (ProRide 24/7) |
