Driving Differences: Belgium vs. Greece Uncovered
Explore the intriguing contrasts in road regulations between Belgium and Greece, where unique traffic norms can significantly impact your journey. From speed limits to overtaking rules, understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure driving experience abroad. Discover the nuances that set these two nations apart and drive with confidence on their roads.
Lanes
| Belgium | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply. | 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
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
greece:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
greece:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
belgium:
Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads.
greece:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
belgium:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply.
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
belgium:
N/A
greece:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
belgium:
Yes
greece:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits.
greece:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Belgium | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 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 | No; fines are mailed to the driver | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
belgium:
30-50 km/h
greece:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
70-90 km/h
greece:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belgium:
70-90 km/h
greece:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
60-90 km/h
greece:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
120 km/h
greece:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belgium:
120 km/h
greece:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
90 km/h
greece:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
belgium:
Yes
greece:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits
greece:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belgium:
No; fines are mailed to the driver
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Belgium | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Yes; indicates impending green light | Not used in Greece |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard | Greek and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background | Triangle-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
belgium:
Yes; indicates impending green light
greece:
Not used in Greece
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
belgium:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
Traffic Signs: Language
belgium:
Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
belgium:
Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Belgium | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless specific signage permits | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
belgium:
Not allowed unless specific signage permits
greece:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
belgium:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Belgium | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; national driving license sufficient | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes; proof must be shown during police checks | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
belgium:
Accepted; national driving license sufficient
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
belgium:
International Driving Permit recommended
greece:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belgium:
Yes; proof must be shown during police checks
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
Alcohol
| Belgium | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; conducted by police | Common; police may set up roadblocks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by severity of offense | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties |
Enforcement: Random Checks
belgium:
Common; conducted by police
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
belgium:
Varies by severity of offense
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
belgium:
Can result in license suspension
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
Emergency Services
| Belgium | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | 100 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance |
Contact: Traffic Police
belgium:
101
greece:
100
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belgium:
Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
Penalties And Fines
| Belgium | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine of around 50 EUR | €350, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses | €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines; points on license possible | €350, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually mailed to the driver | 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
belgium:
Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belgium:
Fine of around 50 EUR
greece:
€350, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
belgium:
Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses
greece:
€100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belgium:
Fines; points on license possible
greece:
€350, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
belgium:
No; fines usually mailed to the driver
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
Payment: Deadline
belgium:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay