Driving in France vs. Greece: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of France and Greece, drivers will encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their journey. From speed limits and overtaking rules to the use of traffic signals, understanding these nuances is crucial for ensuring a secure driving experience abroad. Discover the key contrasts that define the driving landscape in these two beautiful nations.
Lanes
| France | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| 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
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
greece:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
greece:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
greece:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
france:
N/A
greece:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
greece:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits.
greece:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| France | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 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 | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
80 km/h
greece:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
france:
90 km/h
greece:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
greece:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits
greece:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| France | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in France | Not used in Greece |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French; 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
france:
Not used in France
greece:
Not used in Greece
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
greece:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
Traffic Signs: Language
france:
French; symbols are standard
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
france:
Triangular with red border
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| France | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
U- Turns Allowed
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| France | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits | 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, an MOT style test is required periodically | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in vehicle | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory in vehicle | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
france:
Accepted for short visits
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
greece:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
france:
Displayed on windshield
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
greece:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
greece:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| France | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
greece:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
greece:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| France | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | 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 |
Limits: Underage Drivers
france:
0.00%
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
france:
Can be substantial
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
france:
Can result in license suspension
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
Roundabouts
| France | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering if turning right | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
greece:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| France | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 or through local police | 100 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service | 10400 for ELPA assistance |
Contact: Traffic Police
france:
17 or through local police
greece:
100
Contact: Roadside Assistance
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
Penalties And Fines
| France | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €135 | €350, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €135 | €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €135 | €350, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 45 days to pay | Varies; typically 10 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
greece:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
france:
€135
greece:
€350, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
france:
€135
greece:
€100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
france:
€135
greece:
€350, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
Payment: Deadline
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay