How to Get a Category D1 Driving Licence in Georgia?

Georgia rewards D1 or D licenses obtained before 15 December 2014: holders can skip the theory exam entirely and go straight to the practical test when later applying for full Category C, a specific grandfather provision worth flagging if your license predates that cutoff. This piece covers what D1 authorizes, the exact fees, and the current requirements.

What Category D1 covers

D1 authorizes minibus-category passenger transport vehicles under the standard technical specification used across the region.

Minimum age

You need to be 21 to hold a D1.

You must have held Category B for at least a year.

Before sitting the D1 exam, you need to have held Category B for at least one full year.

Documentsyou’lll need

• A certificate confirming completed retraining for the category, from your driver training institution (driving school)
• Your current, valid driving license

What it costs

The first attempt at the D1 exam costs 55 GEL, split between a 15 GEL license production fee and a 40 GEL exam fee. Each subsequent attempt at the theory exam costs 40 GEL.

Skipping theory if you already hold D, C1, or D1

This matters. If you already hold a license for Category D, C1, or D1, you’re admitted directly to the practical exam without repeating theory when applying for related categories.

The useful pre-2014 grandfather clause

If you obtained your D or D1 category license before 15 December 2014, you’re exempt from the theory exam entirely when later applying for full Category C; you go straight to the practical test. A similar exemption applies to C1 category holders who obtained their licenses between 1 August 2012 and 15 December 2014.

What full Category D requires

Full Category D requires you to be 24 and to have held Category B for at least one year. Like D1, D, C1, and D1 holders, you skip theory and go straight to practical when applying for related categories.

What full Category D also lets you drive

Holding a full Category D also entitles you to drive C1 subcategory vehicles and tractors up to 12 tonnes, a broad bundle of additional rights beyond just buses.

Automatic transmission

As with other EU-aligned systems, testing on an automatic-transmission vehicle typically restricts the resulting license to automatic machines only.

Category age reference across Georgia’s system

For context, Georgia’s minimum ages run: B1 from 16, B from 17, BE from 18, C1 and C1E from 18, C and CE from 21, D1 and D1E from 21, D and DE from 24, T from 17, S from 18, and Tr from 21.

The theory exam

The theory exam is computer-based and covers traffic rules and category-specific content, following the same general structure used across Georgia’s license categories.

Who administers driving licenses in Georgia?

The Service Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs handles licensing, exams, and category additions across Georgia and operates offices in multiple cities.

Validity

Georgian driving licenses for D1 follow standard administrative validity periods, subject to any applicable renewal requirements.

Tips that actually help

• Confirm your Category B has been held for at least one full year before applying for D1.
• If your D or D1 licence predates 15 December 2014, remember you can skip the theory test entirely for full Category C.
• Check whether you already hold C1, D, or D1, as this may allow you to skip straight to the practical exam.
• Keep track of retest fees if you don’t pass on your first attempt.

Where this fits going forward

D1 in Georgia offers a genuine, cost-effective route into passenger transport, with useful exemptions for those who already hold related categories. If you’re considering professional driving down the line, review the driver section, browse current vacancies, see which employers are hiring on FastDriver, and check out our job guides. Our Georgia driving license and license eligibility pages cover the broader picture.

Declaration

This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Fees, training requirements, and administrative rules can change and may vary by case in Georgia. Always confirm current requirements with the official Georgian sources, such as the Service Agency, before making decisions. FastDriver.eu accepts no liability for decisions made based on this information.