Driving in the Bahamas vs. Greece: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of the Bahamas and Greece, drivers encounter notable distinctions in traffic regulations and practices. From driving sides to speed limits and emergency protocols, understanding these variations is crucial for safe navigation. Discover how these two picturesque destinations differ in their approach to road safety and etiquette.
Lanes
| Bahamas | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed. | 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: Presence | Not common. | 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 |
Driving Side
bahamas:
Left
greece:
Right
Overtaking: On Right
bahamas:
Not allowed.
greece:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahamas:
Use leftmost lane.
greece:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
Not common.
greece:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
No
greece:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
greece:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
greece:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahamas:
N/A
greece:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
greece:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Bahamas | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 45 mph | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 45 mph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 45 mph | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No highways | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | No highways | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | No highways | 80 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahamas:
25 mph
greece:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahamas:
25 mph
greece:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
45 mph
greece:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
45 mph
greece:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
45 mph
greece:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
No highways
greece:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
No highways
greece:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
No highways
greece:
80 km/h
Speed Units
bahamas:
mph
greece:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
greece:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahamas:
Yes
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Bahamas | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Greece |
| 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
bahamas:
Not used
greece:
Not used in Greece
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahamas:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
Traffic Signs: Language
bahamas:
English; symbols are standard
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahamas:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bahamas | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahamas:
Prohibited
greece:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bahamas:
Varies by location; check for signs
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Bahamas | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | 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, annual inspections required for all vehicles | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
greece:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahamas:
Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory
greece:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory
greece:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahamas | 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
bahamas:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
greece:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahamas | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; police may set up roadblocks |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
bahamas:
0.08%
greece:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahamas:
0.05%
greece:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahamas:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
Test Refusal
bahamas:
Can result in license suspension
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
Roundabouts
| Bahamas | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bahamas:
Signal left when preparing to exit
greece:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bahamas | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 919 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 100 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 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
bahamas:
919
greece:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bahamas:
911
greece:
100
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahamas:
Check with your insurance provider
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
greece:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
greece:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bahamas | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, points on license | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points may apply | €350, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points may apply | €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | €350, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or by mail | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 10 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahamas:
Varies; $50 to $500, points on license
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahamas:
$25 to $200, points may apply
greece:
€350, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahamas:
$50 to $300, points may apply
greece:
€100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahamas:
$100 to $500, points on license
greece:
€350, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahamas:
Yes; can also be paid online or by mail
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
Payment: Deadline
bahamas:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay