Car Owners Demand Government Administration Repeal Noise Regulation

Car owners and enthusiasts held a protest outside the Government Administration and addressed Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze with a joint statement. They demand the repeal of the regulation limiting vehicle noise during night hours, the annulment of fines already imposed, the return of money paid, and an end to the practice of confiscating cars.

According to their statement, the current regulations are disproportionate, inconsistent with international practice, and restrict the fundamental rights of car owners.

On December 25, 2025, the government issued Resolution No. 584. Under the first paragraph of its Article 3, the maximum permissible noise level for vehicles during night hours, from 23:00 to 08:00, was set at 80 decibels. According to the measurement procedure, the sound meter must be placed 50 centimeters from the vehicle's muffler.

According to protest participants, since September of this year, cars have been stopped and inspected on the streets, including when drivers have not violated traffic rules. According to them, inspections have revealed that a large part of Georgia's car and motorcycle fleet does not meet the requirements, so drivers are fined and lose driving license points. The authors note that both old and factory-new cars and motorcycles fail to meet the requirements. According to them, numerous complaints on this issue have been filed with the Patrol Police Department.

Car owners believe that Resolution No. 584 contradicts Resolution No. 510 of December 1, 2017, which set the rules for periodic technical inspection of motor vehicles and their trailers. Under the 2017 resolution, the permissible noise level during technical inspection is 95-105 decibels. In their assessment, it is contradictory that a car passes inspection successfully, yet the driver may be fined when driving at night.

The authors also question the methodology used to set the 80-decibel limit and say it is unclear on what basis this figure was chosen. In their explanation, in Western practice, as they are aware, 80 decibels relates to measuring the noise of a car moving at 50 kilometers per hour from a distance of about 10 meters. They consider using this figure for measurements taken at 50 centimeters a significant methodological error.

The authors also criticize the testing method: noise is measured at half of the engine's maximum speed and in the loudest mode, which, in their view, casts doubt on the accuracy of the inspection. According to them, such engine speeds are not necessary for everyday driving, while modern cars have different modes, including city, highway and racing track modes. They consider testing in racing mode incorrect.

The statement reads that "under the current regulation, in peaceful conditions, a de facto 'motor curfew' has been introduced in the country, which is a violation of fundamental human rights". They believe citizens should have the right to move freely at any time of day or night, and link this to Article 14 of the Constitution.

Car owners also stress that protecting the rights of citizens disturbed by noise at night is important. In their words, the behavior of drivers who grossly violate traffic rules, perform dangerous maneuvers, drift or exceed speed limits is particularly concerning. However, in their view, this does not justify imposing such strict restrictions on a wide circle of drivers, which are inconsistent with international practice. They call on the Ministry of Internal Affairs to focus attention on specific offenders and fine them.

Protest participants demand the repeal of Resolution No. 584 and the adoption of a new regulation that would be consistent with Resolution No. 510 and technical inspection standards. They demand that the permissible noise limit be set at a minimum of 105 decibels. They also demand the annulment of fines imposed under Resolution No. 584 and the return of money paid.

Car enthusiasts point to the term "modified muffler" used in paragraph 5 of Article 119 of the Code of Administrative Offences. According to them, over the past year and a half, numerous people have been fined on the basis of this provision, and their cars and motor vehicles have been confiscated. They demand that the provision be removed and ask the Prime Minister to submit a motion to Parliament.

According to the authors, a police officer on the street does not have sufficient knowledge or technical means to determine that a muffler has been modified based on visual inspection alone. In their view, this is the competence of an expert, and making such a decision by a police officer is an abuse of authority and may even constitute an act punishable by law. They cite a knife as an example: according to them, when a knife is found, the item is also sent for expertise, and liability arises only on the basis of a positive conclusion. They believe that control should be carried out according to the permissible noise level, and if a car with a modified muffler does not exceed the limit, this should not in itself be considered an offence.

The authors of the statement also demand the complete repeal of paragraph 9 of the same article, which, according to them, allows vehicles to be taken away for 10 days. In their assessment, this provision contradicts the note to the article. They state that confiscation and transfer to a penalty parking lot are carried out mandatorily, and even when a fine is appealed and the owner has carried out an expert examination, cars or motor vehicles are sometimes not returned to owners for months. Car owners consider this a violation of the right to freely use their property and a mechanism of pressure.

They also ask Kobakhidze to declare a moratorium: until changes are made, drivers should stop being fined and cars or motor vehicles should stop being confiscated. According to them, citizens have waited for a fair regulation for a year and a half, yet introducing the noise regulation and acquiring measuring equipment took more than a year, and the limit, in their assessment, was set incorrectly. The authors say they are ready for meetings and dialogue in any format.

A few hours before the protest, Irakli Kobakhidze said that work is underway to raise the vehicle noise limit from 85 decibels to 100 decibels. According to him, the restrictions are in effect because the population complained of excessive noise, although the interests of vehicle owners should also be taken into account.

"We are actively working on this and believe that an appropriate solution will be found that, in a balanced way, so to speak, will satisfy everyone's interests: on the one hand, excessive noise is not acceptable, but on the other hand, there are, of course, the interests of vehicle owners, and their interests must also be taken into account. Once again, we are talking about raising the limit from 85 to 100 decibels. The Ministry of Internal Affairs continues its work, and a decision will be made very soon," said Irakli Kobakhidze.