Driving in Afghanistan vs. Greece: Key Safety Differences
Discover the stark contrasts in roadway regulations and vehicular practices between Afghanistan and Greece. This comparison reveals essential distinctions, from speed limits and lane markings to alcohol consumption laws and emergency services. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure driving experience while navigating through these two diverse nations.
Lanes
| Afghanistan | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
greece:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
greece:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Bus Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
greece:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
greece:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
greece:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
greece:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
afghanistan:
N/A
greece:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
greece:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Afghanistan | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued instantly | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
afghanistan:
25-40 km/h
greece:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
afghanistan:
25 km/h
greece:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
greece:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
greece:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
60-80 km/h
greece:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
greece:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
greece:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
greece:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
greece:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Afghanistan | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Afghanistan | Not used in Greece |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Pashto, Dari | Greek and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard symbols used | Triangle-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
afghanistan:
Not used in Afghanistan
greece:
Not used in Greece
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
afghanistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Afghanistan | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not usually allowed | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
afghanistan:
Not usually allowed
greece:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Afghanistan | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
greece:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
afghanistan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
afghanistan:
Displayed on windshield
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
greece:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
greece:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Afghanistan | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
afghanistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
greece:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Afghanistan | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; police may set up roadblocks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
greece:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
greece:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
afghanistan:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
afghanistan:
Can result in license suspension
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
Emergency Services
| Afghanistan | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Dial local police station | 100 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; limited services | 10400 for ELPA assistance |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
afghanistan:
Dial local police station
greece:
100
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
greece:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
greece:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Afghanistan | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 500 AFN and above | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts | €350, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use while driving | €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, point system not common | €350, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be paid instantly | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few days | Varies; typically 10 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
afghanistan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
greece:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
greece:
€350, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
afghanistan:
Fines apply for use while driving
greece:
€100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
greece:
€350, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay