Austria vs Greece: Navigating Driving Differences
When exploring the roads of Austria and Greece, it's essential to understand the distinctive regulations and practices that govern vehicle operation. From speed limits and lane markings to alcohol restrictions and penalties, each country presents unique challenges for travelers. This comparison highlights critical contrasts to ensure your journey remains safe and enjoyable.
Lanes
| Austria | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not applicable |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
greece:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
greece:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
austria:
Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.
greece:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
austria:
N/A
greece:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
greece:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits.
greece:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 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; fines may also be mailed. | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
greece:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
greece:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
greece:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
80-100 km/h
greece:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
greece:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits
greece:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Austria | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | 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 | German; symbols are standard | Greek and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangle-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
greece:
Not used in Greece
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
greece:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
austria:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Austria | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
greece:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Austria | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
austria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
greece:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Alcohol
| Austria | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; police may set up roadblocks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties |
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
greece:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
austria:
Can result in license suspension
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
Emergency Services
| Austria | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | 100 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | 10400 for ELPA assistance |
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
greece:
100
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | €350, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | €350, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically 10 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
greece:
€350, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
greece:
€100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
greece:
€350, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay