Licensed Taxis to Get Free Vouchers for Painting and Cleaning of Cars

Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze announced that taxi drivers who undergo mandatory taxi registration and technical inspections will get free vouchers to have their cars painted in white.

The Mayor also said that the same category of drivers will get vouchers to have the car interiors cleaned for free.

Kaladze stated in late September that from October 1, 2019, all taxis in the capital have to be white. He added that the City Hall will also give taxi signs to the drivers for free.

He explained that the money for the vouchers will not be spent from the budget of the capital: City Hall is in negotiations with advertising companies who agree to provide free services for the licensed taxis in exchange for advertisements being placed on the cars.

The Mayor called on all taxi drivers to apply for the mandatory registration launched on August 1, which must be completed by November 2018.

From October 1, it is not allowed to work as a taxi driver without a special permit. Moreover, three-door vehicles as well as right-hand-drive vehicles will not be allowed to provide a taxi service at all.

“Taxi drivers who do not register until November 1 will be fined GEL 200,” he said, adding the municipality has already issued 12,000 permits and the process is ongoing.

Kaladze noted that free parking lots will be arranged for the taxis at around 60 locations in the busiest areas of the capital, where taxi drivers can stop their vehicles for free.

“Nor will taxi drivers have to pay income tax to the budget,” he added.

Taxi drivers who want a permit to taxi need to fill in the online application at www.taxi.tbilisi.gov.ge and afterwards pay a one-year permit fee of 50 GEL for hybrid vehicles, 100 GEL for ordinary cars. There is no charge for eco-friendly electronic vehicles.

By Thea Morrison

Related stories:

White Taxis to Be Mandatory in Tbilisi from 2019

Registration of Tbilisi Taxis Starts Today