On March 6, 2024, in Natakhtari, trailer drivers employed on transit routes held a protest. According to them, the Land Transport Agency, which operates under the Ministry of Economy, was selling transit permits — normally priced at 20 GEL — on the “black market” for 1,350 USD, which increased their costs and left them without work.

According to internationally established regulations, each country has a quota of permits, which means that Georgia issues permits for Georgian citizens.

Drivers had been dealing with this problem since January, but the Minister of Economy met with them only after the protest was held.

The drivers held another protest on March 25, without changing their demands.

On March 28, the Land Transport Agency announced that an agreement had been reached between the agency leadership and the carriers — they were presented with a plan for the fair and optimal distribution of limited permits and for the rules of permit issuance. The carriers ended the protest.