Driving in Australia vs. Greece: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Australia and Greece, drivers must navigate a variety of unique regulations and practices. Key distinctions include the driving side—left in Australia and right in Greece—along with varying speed limits and lane usage protocols. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| Australia | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not applicable |
Driving Side
australia:
Left
greece:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels.
greece:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes.
greece:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
australia:
Allowed
greece:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
australia:
Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
greece:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
australia:
Use leftmost lane.
greece:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
australia:
Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted.
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
australia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs.
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
greece:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
australia:
Minimum two or more occupants
greece:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
greece:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
greece:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Australia | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 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 | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-110 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; may vary by area. | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
australia:
40 km/h
greece:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
80-100 km/h
greece:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
australia:
80-100 km/h
greece:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
80-100 km/h
greece:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
100-110 km/h
greece:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
australia:
100-110 km/h
greece:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
90-100 km/h
greece:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
greece:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
greece:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
australia:
Common; may vary by area.
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Australia | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used. | Not used in Greece |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Greek and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
australia:
Not commonly used.
greece:
Not used in Greece
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
australia:
Signal when entering and exiting
greece:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
australia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
Traffic Signs: Language
australia:
English; symbols are standard
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
australia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Australia | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, except where signage permits. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
australia:
Not allowed, except where signage permits.
greece:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
australia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Australia | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states | 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
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
greece:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
australia:
Varies by state; proof may be required
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
australia:
Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory
greece:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
australia:
Not mandatory
greece:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Australia | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
australia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
greece:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Australia | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance in all states. | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; roadside breath testing often conducted | Common; police may set up roadblocks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties |
Limits: Underage Drivers
australia:
0.00%; zero tolerance in all states.
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
australia:
Common; roadside breath testing often conducted
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
australia:
Varies by state; can be substantial
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
australia:
Can result in license suspension
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
Roundabouts
| Australia | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal right if intending to turn immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Entering
australia:
Signal right if intending to turn immediately
greece:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
australia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
greece:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
australia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
greece:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Australia | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 000 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; contact local police | 100 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NRMA | 10400 for ELPA assistance |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
australia:
000
greece:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
australia:
Varies by state; contact local police
greece:
100
Contact: Roadside Assistance
australia:
Check with your insurance provider or NRMA
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
greece:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
australia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
greece:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Australia | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible | €350, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible | €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible | €350, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; varies by jurisdiction. | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay | Varies; typically 10 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
australia:
Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible
greece:
€350, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible
greece:
€100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
australia:
AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible
greece:
€350, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
australia:
Yes; varies by jurisdiction.
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
Payment: Deadline
australia:
Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay