From 1 September, the Ministry of Internal Affairs officers will begin checking noise levels produced by vehicles in use, using certified portable measuring equipment under new enforcement rules.
The measure follows a government resolution setting limits on how loud cars may be when driven in populated areas, particularly during night hours when residential noise carries further.
Night-time limit
Between 23:00 and 08:00, vehicle operating noise in built-up areas must not exceed 80 decibels. The cap applies to sound generated during normal use of the vehicle, not only exhaust modifications.
Officials have not published separate daytime thresholds in the summary rules circulated ahead of the launch. Drivers of modified exhausts, loud sound systems, or poorly maintained engines are most likely to attract roadside checks once enforcement begins.
Fines and licence points
Penalties rise with repeat offences within the administrative framework:
- First violation: 100 lari and 10 points on the driving licence
- Second violation: 200 lari and 20 points
- Third violation: 300 lari and 30 points
Accumulated points can lead to suspension of driving privileges under Georgia's existing traffic penalty system.
How roadside enforcement will work
Police may stop a vehicle when they have sufficient grounds to believe its noise level exceeds the permitted norm. The driver must present identification and the vehicle registration certificate and must not obstruct the measurement.
Before testing, officers are required to rule out device malfunction and record background noise so ambient sound does not skew the reading. Results from the certified meters will form the basis for any fine issued on the spot or through follow-up proceedings.
For residents and visitors in Tbilisi, Batumi, and other cities, the autumn start date marks a shift toward measurable noise enforcement on top of existing traffic rules.
