On Georgian roads, left-hand drive and right-hand drive vehicles operate side by side. A large share of imported vehicles in Georgia comes from Japan and the United Kingdom, where right-hand drive vehicles are the standard.
Many people make the decision between these two types of vehicles based on their budget, but price is not the only factor that matters.
Below, we will discuss the key factors that should be considered when choosing between left-hand drive and right-hand drive vehicles.
Steering Side and Driving Conditions
In a left-hand drive vehicle, the driver sits closer to the center of the road, which improves visibility during overtaking and maneuvering.
In a right-hand drive vehicle, the situation is different. The driver sits closer to the right edge of the road, and during overtaking, the vehicle ahead can create an artificial “barrier” that limits visibility. This difference becomes especially noticeable on narrow roads and during turns.
A study conducted by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia found that right-hand drive vehicles are involved in accidents 40% more frequently than left-hand drive vehicles on certain types of roads.
Visibility During Overtaking
Overtaking is one of the most dangerous driving maneuvers.
A 2026 study published by a Lithuanian university used geometric analysis to determine that when overtaking behind a truck, a driver in a right-hand drive vehicle sees an approaching vehicle from the opposite direction 2.7 times later compared to a driver in a left-hand drive vehicle.
The study explains this difference using a specific scenario: a 3.5-meter lane, a 2.55-meter-wide truck ahead, and a speed of 90 km/h.
Under these conditions, a right-hand drive vehicle driver notices an approaching vehicle 13–50 meters later, depending on speed. At driving speeds, this difference represents approximately one to two seconds of reaction time.
Mirrors and cameras can partially reduce this disadvantage, but they cannot fully compensate for reduced direct visibility, as indirect visibility affects reaction time more slowly.
Adaptation and Driving Experience
A right-hand drive vehicle requires additional caution, especially for inexperienced drivers or new owners who are not familiar with this configuration.
Studies show that accident risk is highest during the first 6–12 months of adaptation. In one analysis, the average time until the first accident was 223 days for right-hand drive vehicles compared to 705 days for left-hand drive vehicles.
However, this does not mean that right-hand drive vehicles are always unsafe.
With proper driving habits, experience, and adaptation, many drivers successfully operate right-hand drive vehicles without major issues.
Georgian Legislation
As of 2026, registration and operation of right-hand drive vehicles are permitted in Georgia. There are no special restrictions specifically targeting this category.
However, the Parliament of Georgia changed excise tax regulations for passenger vehicles in March 2026. These changes mainly affect the import of older vehicles and also apply to a significant portion of right-hand drive cars.
For accurate information regarding specific tax obligations, checking with the relevant government authorities is recommended.
Resale Market
Right-hand drive vehicles are widely available in Georgia. Buyers can usually find suitable options easily due to their popularity and availability.
The left-hand drive vehicle market, especially for newer and nearly new models, is more closely associated with the premium segment. These vehicles generally maintain higher resale value, although the initial purchase cost is usually higher.
Which One Should You Choose?
There is no single answer to this question, but the decision can be made easier by considering several factors.
If you mainly drive in the city, travel at lower speeds, and rarely overtake, a right-hand drive vehicle is unlikely to create significant practical problems.
If you frequently travel through rural areas, mountainous roads, or narrow routes where overtaking is unavoidable, a left-hand drive vehicle is a more suitable configuration.
Driving experience is also an important factor. For a new driver, a right-hand drive vehicle usually requires an additional adaptation period, during which statistical risk is higher.
Ultimately, choosing between right-hand drive and left-hand drive depends on where and how often you drive.
The Carmark team helps customers select, purchase, and import both left-hand drive and right-hand drive vehicles to Georgia. All costs and procedures are calculated in advance before making a final decision.
