Driving in Chile vs. Greece: Key Safety Differences
When venturing into the distinctive roads of Chile and Greece, understanding the nuances of each nation's regulations is crucial for a secure journey. Key contrasts include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol thresholds, which significantly impact driving experiences. Equip yourself with this vital knowledge to navigate both countries confidently and safely.
Lanes
| Chile | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
greece:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
chile:
Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads.
greece:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
chile:
Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
greece:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
chile:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations.
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
chile:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
greece:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
chile:
N/A
greece:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
greece:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Chile | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
chile:
40 km/h
greece:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
100 km/h
greece:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
greece:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
100 km/h
greece:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
120 km/h
greece:
130 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
90 km/h
greece:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
greece:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Chile | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Chile | Not used in Greece |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools | Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Greek and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors | Triangle-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
chile:
Not used in Chile
greece:
Not used in Greece
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
Traffic Signs: Language
chile:
Spanish; symbols are standard
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Chile | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
Right Turn On Red
chile:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
greece:
Not allowed
Documentation
| Chile | 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 | Required annually | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
greece:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
chile:
Required annually
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
chile:
Displayed on windshield
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Alcohol
| Chile | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; police may set up roadblocks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
chile:
0.03%
greece:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
chile:
0.00%
greece:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
chile:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
chile:
Can result in license suspension
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
Roundabouts
| Chile | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
greece:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Chile | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 133 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 or 139 on mobile phones | 100 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services | 10400 for ELPA assistance |
Contact: General Emergency
chile:
133
greece:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
greece:
100
Contact: Roadside Assistance
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
Penalties And Fines
| Chile | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | €350, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free technology | €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, includes license suspension | €350, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay | Varies; typically 10 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
greece:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
greece:
€350, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
greece:
€100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
greece:
€350, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
Payment: Deadline
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay