Driving in Belize vs. Greece: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Belize and Greece, travelers will discover notable contrasts in regulations and driving practices. From speed limits to alcohol consumption rules, the two nations prioritize safety in unique ways. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Belize | 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. |
| 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 |
Bus Lanes: Presence
belize:
No
greece:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
belize:
N/A
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
belize:
N/A
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
belize:
No
greece:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
belize:
N/A
greece:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
belize:
N/A
greece:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
belize:
N/A
greece:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belize:
N/A
greece:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Belize | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-55 mph | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-55 mph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-55 mph | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 55-65 mph | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 55-65 mph | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 55-65 mph | 80 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines are usually collected immediately | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
belize:
25 mph
greece:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
belize:
25 mph
greece:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belize:
40-55 mph
greece:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belize:
40-55 mph
greece:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belize:
40-55 mph
greece:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
belize:
55-65 mph
greece:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belize:
55-65 mph
greece:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
belize:
55-65 mph
greece:
80 km/h
Speed Units
belize:
mph
greece:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belize:
N/A
greece:
Not applicable
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
belize:
No
greece:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belize:
Yes, fines are usually collected immediately
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Belize | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Belize | 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
belize:
Not used in Belize
greece:
Not used in Greece
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
belize:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
Traffic Signs: Language
belize:
English; symbols are standard
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
belize:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Belize | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
Right Turn On Red
belize:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
greece:
Not allowed
Documentation
| Belize | 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 | Mandatory annually; proof may be required | 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
belize:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
belize:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
greece:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belize:
Mandatory annually; proof may be required
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
belize:
Not mandatory
greece:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belize:
Not mandatory
greece:
Mandatory
Alcohol
| Belize | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used occasionally | Common; police may set up roadblocks |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
belize:
0.08%
greece:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
belize:
0.05%
greece:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
belize:
Zero tolerance
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
belize:
Less common; checkpoints used occasionally
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
Test Refusal
belize:
Can result in license suspension
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
Emergency Services
| Belize | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 100 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | 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
belize:
911
greece:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
belize:
911
greece:
100
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belize:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
belize:
Not mandatory, but recommended
greece:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belize:
Not mandatory, but recommended
greece:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Belize | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; BZD$100 to $500 | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | €350, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; significant fines | €350, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, fines are often collected immediately | 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
belize:
Varies; BZD$100 to $500
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belize:
Fines for non-compliance
greece:
€350, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
belize:
Fines for use without hands-free
greece:
€100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belize:
Varies; significant fines
greece:
€350, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
belize:
Yes, fines are often collected immediately
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
Payment: Deadline
belize:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay