Driving Differences: Denmark vs. Greece Uncovered
When traversing the roads of Denmark and Greece, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that significantly influence their travel experience. Key contrasts include lane markings, speed limits, and enforcement protocols. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| Denmark | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used temporarily in construction zones. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes bicycles and taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not applicable |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
denmark:
Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways.
greece:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
denmark:
Used temporarily in construction zones.
greece:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
denmark:
Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic.
greece:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
denmark:
Reserved for buses and sometimes bicycles and taxis.
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions.
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement.
greece:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
denmark:
Yes
greece:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
denmark:
Electronic signs display current limits.
greece:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Denmark | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, for minor offenses. | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
denmark:
80 km/h
greece:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
denmark:
110-130 km/h
greece:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
denmark:
90-100 km/h
greece:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
denmark:
Yes
greece:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
denmark:
Electronic signs display current limits
greece:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
denmark:
Yes, for minor offenses.
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Denmark | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green. | 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 | Danish; 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
denmark:
Used before green.
greece:
Not used in Greece
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
denmark:
Signal when entering and exiting
greece:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
denmark:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
Traffic Signs: Language
denmark:
Danish; symbols are standard
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
denmark:
Triangular with red border
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Denmark | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians. | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign. | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Left Turn: General
denmark:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians.
greece:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
U- Turns Allowed
denmark:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign.
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Denmark | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
denmark:
Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
denmark:
International Driving Permit recommended
greece:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
denmark:
Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
denmark:
Displayed on the windshield
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
denmark:
Recommended
greece:
Mandatory
Alcohol
| Denmark | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; carried out by the police | Common; police may set up roadblocks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties |
Enforcement: Random Checks
denmark:
Common; carried out by the police
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
denmark:
Can be substantial
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
denmark:
Can result in license suspension
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
Roundabouts
| Denmark | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal left if taking any exit other than first | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
denmark:
Signal left if taking any exit other than first
greece:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Denmark | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact general emergency to report traffic issues | 100 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurer or patrol services | 10400 for ELPA assistance |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
denmark:
Contact general emergency to report traffic issues
greece:
100
Contact: Roadside Assistance
denmark:
Contact your insurer or patrol services
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
denmark:
Recommended but not mandatory
greece:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Denmark | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats | €350, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, use of hands-free required | €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines and possible license points | €350, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 14 days | Varies; typically 10 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
denmark:
Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
denmark:
Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail
greece:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
denmark:
Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats
greece:
€350, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
denmark:
Fines apply, use of hands-free required
greece:
€100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
denmark:
Significant fines and possible license points
greece:
€350, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
denmark:
Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
Payment: Deadline
denmark:
Varies; typically within 14 days
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay