During the winter period, from December 1st to March 1st, it is mandatory to drive vehicles with winter tires on certain sections of the road.
In addition, during the winter period, taking into account the meteorological conditions, the police may impose a requirement to attach an anti-slide chain at least to the leading driving wheels of the vehicle.
Winter tires must meet the following criteria:
The tire must have a symbol - snowflake.
The tire tread depth should be:
- not less than 3 mm. - for cars (M1) and trucks (N1, N2, N3);
- not less than 4 mm. - for minibus (M2) and bus (M3);
the tire should be manufactured no olded than 10 years;
It must be possible to read the date of manufacture on the tire;
For buses (M3) and trucks with a total weight of more than 3.5 tons (N2, N3), it is allowed to drive with winter tires that do not have the snowflake symbol. In this case, the unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia is authorized to impose the requirement of fixing at least one anti-skid chain with appropriate characteristics on all tires of the driving axle of the above-mentioned categories of vehicles.
The anti-skid chain must be factory-made, suitable for the vehicle's tire size and suitable for use on snow/ice-covered road surfaces.
Anti-skid chains should only be applied on roads covered with snow and/or ice.
- If the winter tire and/or the anti-skid chain do not comply with the established requirements, the police officer has the right to prohibit the person from entering the place/road section defined by the decree.
- If the winter tire and/or anti-skid chain does not meet the established requirements and driving this vehicle poses a danger to others, the person may be temporarily deprived of the vehicle and placed in a protected parking lot.
In case of non-compliance with winter tire and anti-skid chain requirements, a person will be fined 100 GEL and the number of points assigned to the driver's license will be reduced by 5 points.
For detailed information on the proper characteristics of winter tires and anti-skid chains, as well as the list of places/road sections where winter tires and/or anti-skid chains will be mandatory for vehicles during winter, view the link: https://www.matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/6040563?publication=0
