Driving Differences: Albania vs. Greece Explained
When traversing the roads of Albania and Greece, understanding the nuances of their driving regulations is crucial for ensuring safety. Notably, Greece features dedicated bus lanes and higher speed limits for urban areas, while Albania emphasizes lower alcohol limits and distinct vehicle inspection requirements. Explore these essential contrasts to drive confidently in either country.
Lanes
| Albania | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
Bus Lanes: Presence
albania:
No
greece:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
albania:
N/A
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
albania:
N/A
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
albania:
N/A
greece:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
greece:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Albania | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be paid at the scene. | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
albania:
40 km/h
greece:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
albania:
80 km/h
greece:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
albania:
70 km/h
greece:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
albania:
70 km/h
greece:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
albania:
110 km/h
greece:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
albania:
90 km/h
greece:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
albania:
90 km/h
greece:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
greece:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
albania:
Yes; fines can be paid at the scene.
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Albania | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Albania | Not used in Greece |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian | Greek and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangle-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
albania:
Not used in Albania
greece:
Not used in Greece
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
albania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
Traffic Signs: Language
albania:
Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
albania:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Albania | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign | Not allowed |
Right Turn On Red
albania:
Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign
greece:
Not allowed
Documentation
| Albania | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for visits less than a year; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
albania:
Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
albania:
Accepted for visits less than a year; International Driving Permit recommended
greece:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
albania:
Mandatory; proof required
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
albania:
Displayed on windshield
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Road Etiquette
| Albania | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or indicate intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
Flashing Lights: Usage
albania:
To warn of hazards or indicate intention to overtake
greece:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Alcohol
| Albania | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.01% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Common; police may set up roadblocks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for violations | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
albania:
0.01%
greece:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
albania:
0.00%
greece:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
albania:
Common, especially during holidays
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
albania:
Substantial fines for violations
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
albania:
Can result in license suspension
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
Emergency Services
| Albania | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 129 | 100 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 10400 for ELPA assistance |
Contact: Traffic Police
albania:
129
greece:
100
Contact: Roadside Assistance
albania:
Check with your insurance provider
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
Penalties And Fines
| Albania | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines over 1,000 ALL | €350, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; potential fines and penalties | €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines over 5,000 ALL | €350, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 10 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
albania:
Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
albania:
Fines over 1,000 ALL
greece:
€350, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
albania:
Varies; potential fines and penalties
greece:
€100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
albania:
Fines over 5,000 ALL
greece:
€350, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
albania:
Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
Payment: Deadline
albania:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay