Arriving at Tbilisi International or travelling across the South Caucasus? Request a licensed security driver before your trip.
Tbilisi security driver operations require specific knowledge of the South Ossetia and Abkhazia administrative boundary line routing constraints, protest avoidance during active demonstration periods, and the distinct driving requirements of the Old Town cobbled street network. Licensing under the Law on Private Security Activities is the regulatory foundation for all Georgia security driver engagements.
For the full Tbilisi security picture and South Caucasus risk context, see our Tbilisi city page. Principals requiring close protection alongside vetted transport in Georgia should review bodyguard hire in Tbilisi for the full licensed CPO programme.
What does this cover in Tbilisi?
Georgia Private Security Driver Licensing
Security drivers in Georgia are governed by the Law on Private Security Activities, with licences issued by the Public Safety Command Center '112', a legal entity under the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Security companies must hold its licence, and security guards need its certificate, valid for up to one year. The Georgian regulatory framework has developed significantly since post-Rose Revolution institutional reforms. All our Tbilisi partners hold current licences; driver documentation is provided before each engagement.
Tbilisi International Airport Transfer
Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) is located approximately 18 kilometres east of central Tbilisi. The transfer to the Old Town, Mtatsminda, and Vera hotel zones takes 25 to 40 minutes on the David Agmashenebeli highway under normal conditions. Tbilisi traffic is moderate; the downtown approach on Vazha-Pshavela Avenue and Chavchavadze Avenue is subject to morning and evening peak congestion. Inside-terminal collection and a pre-positioned vehicle are standard.
South Ossetia and Abkhazia Exclusion Routing
The administrative boundary lines (ABLs) with Russian-occupied South Ossetia and Abkhazia are hard exclusion limits for all principal movements. The South Ossetia ABL runs approximately 100 kilometres north of Tbilisi on the S1/E60 highway through the Gori corridor; the Abkhazia ABL is on the north-west Inguri River approach. Security driver route planning for any itinerary that approaches the Gori or Zugdidi corridors explicitly maps ABL distances and ensures no crossing or approach within the FCDO-defined exclusion zone. Source: FCDO Georgia travel advice, 2025.
Tbilisi Old Town and Commercial District Routes
Tbilisi's Old Town (Abanotubani, Narikala, and the Metekhi area) has cobbled streets and steep sections that require drivers familiar with the specific access routes for each hotel and venue. The Rooms Hotel, Stamba Hotel, and Fabrika cultural complex are principal HNWI and corporate destinations in the Old Town and Vera districts. Security drivers covering the Old Town are briefed on vehicle access restrictions in the pedestrian zones and the alternate routes to major Old Town hotels from the Mtkvari riverside.
Political Protest Avoidance Routing
Georgia's post-2024 election political environment has produced significant demonstration activity on Rustaveli Avenue and around the parliament building. Security driver route management during periods of active protest avoids Rustaveli Avenue and Shota Rustaveli metro approaches, using Freedom Square and the Agmashenebeli Avenue as alternate east-west routes. The operations controller monitors protest timings and updates the driver on routes in real time.
South Caucasus Regional Coverage
Tbilisi serves as the logistics hub for the South Caucasus. Our Georgia partners provide security driver coverage for the Georgian Military Highway towards Kazbegi (a significant HNWI destination, approximately 2.5 hours north), Batumi on the Black Sea coast (approximately 5 hours west), and the land crossings to Armenia (Sadakhlo) and Azerbaijan (Red Bridge). Each cross-border transfer requires a specific document and crossing protocol briefing.
Sources for this page
Licensing, firearms and foreign-operator rules for Tbilisi, checked : Law of Georgia on Private Security Activities, Legislative Herald of Georgia (consolidated 9 December 2025). The full rules are on our Tbilisi security overview.
Travel advice quoted on this page: FCDO travel advice: Georgia. Advice changes; read the current version before travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the TBS airport to Tbilisi Old Town transfer take?
How are the South Ossetia and Abkhazia ABLs factored into driver routing?
What licensing applies to Tbilisi security drivers?
Does security driver coverage extend to Batumi and Kazbegi?
This page is published by CloseProtectionHire.com and written to editorial standards overseen by James Calloway, Senior Security Consultant (regulation, licensing, vetting and risk frameworks) and Marcus Webb, Security Operations Adviser (operational close protection, secure transport and city-specific safety).
Threat, regulatory and emergency information is sourced to named, dated authorities such as the FCDO, the US State Department and national licensing bodies. Last updated . See how we verify.