Oversized & Heavy Cargo Regulations

A vehicle, with or without cargo, is officially classified as oversized or heavy under Georgian law if it exceeds any of the following standard dimensions:

• Maximum Width: 2.55 meters (extended to 2.60 meters strictly for refrigerated and isothermal bodies).

• Maximum Height: 4.00 meters from the road surface.

• Maximum Length: 16.50 meters for articulated vehicles (tractor + semi-trailer); 18.75 meters for a standard truck-trailer combination. Any configuration exceeding 20.00 meters classifies the vehicle as a long vehicle with a special transit protocol.

• Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW): Over 40 tons for standard commercial cargo. The limit is extended to 44 tons exclusively for 3-axle tractors with 2- or 3-axle semi-trailers performing international multimodal transportation of ISO containers (20, 40, or 45 feet).

• Cargo Projection Limits: Markings and approvals are required if the cargo projects horizontally more than 1.00 meter beyond the front or rear edge of the vehicle, or more than 0.40 meters beyond the outer edge of the side running lights.

In compliance with national safety rules, any vehicle carrying projecting oversized cargo or having a total length exceeding 20 meters must display standardized reflective markings:

• Oversized Cargo Sign (არაგაბარიტული ტვირთი): A square panel measuring 400 x 400 mm featuring alternating diagonal red and white stripes (width 50 mm) with a mandatory retroreflective surface. It must be securely mounted to the extreme front, rear, and lateral points of the projecting cargo.

• Long Vehicle Sign (გრძელი სატრანსპორტო საშუალება): A horizontal yellow reflective rectangle measuring no less than 1200 x 200 mm with a solid 40 mm red border. If the trailer structure prevents mounting a single large panel, the law allows the installation of two identical signs of at least 600 x 200 mm placed symmetrically. It must be affixed permanently to the rear of the semi-trailer.

Official Source: საქართველოს კანონი „საგზაო მოძრაობის შესახებ“ — მუხლი 47 და დანართი №4

Operating a heavy or oversized vehicle configuration on public logistics corridors in Georgia is strictly prohibited without a digital Special Permit (სპეციალური ნებართვა).

• Filing Requirements: Applications must be submitted electronically via the specialized portal of the Roads Department. The document package must specify the full technical specifications and VIN numbers of the tractor and trailer, a detailed axle-load distribution diagram, an exact cargo schematic showing its center of gravity, and a step-by-step route itinerary (down to specific city streets).

• Engineering Control: If the gross weight of the vehicle with oversized cargo exceeds 60 tons, the Roads Department initiates a mandatory preliminary engineering assessment of bridges, overpasses, and flyovers along the entire route departing from the port of Poti.

Safety escort matrix configurations are legally determined by the actual final dimensions of the loaded vehicle:

• Warning Beacons: Certified 360-degree flashing amber or orange beacons must operate on both the tractor cab and the rearmost point of the cargo.

• Civilian Pilot Cars: Attracting at least one commercial pilot vehicle (equipped with yellow beacons and "Oversized" signs) is mandatory if the total width of the vehicle exceeds 3.50 meters or the total length exceeds 25.00 meters. For extreme configurations, a convoy of two pilot cars (front and rear) is designated.

• State Patrol Escort: Official escort by Patrol Police crews is required by law if the vehicle width exceeds 4.00 meters, or if passing the route requires full or partial blockage of oncoming traffic lanes, dismantling of road infrastructure, or passing complex mountain passes and narrow tunnels (such as the Rikoti Tunnel).