Driving in Germany vs. Greece: Key Safety Differences
Exploring the nuances of road regulations can significantly enhance your travel experience in Germany and Greece. This comparison highlights key distinctions, such as lane markings, speed limits, and traffic signal protocols. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey abroad, so let's delve into the driving contrasts between these two fascinating countries.
Lanes
| Germany | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are standard. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lanes or roadworks. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored lane. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| 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
germany:
Not commonly used; white lines are standard.
greece:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
germany:
Marks temporary lanes or roadworks.
greece:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
germany:
Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower.
greece:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
germany:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed.
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
germany:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs.
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
germany:
Bicycle symbols and colored lane.
greece:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
germany:
N/A
greece:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
germany:
Yes
greece:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
germany:
Electronic signs display current limits.
greece:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Germany | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 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 | Common | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
100 km/h
greece:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
germany:
80-100 km/h
greece:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum
greece:
130 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
germany:
80-100 km/h
greece:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
germany:
Yes
greece:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
germany:
Electronic signs display current limits
greece:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
germany:
Common
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Germany | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates the light is about to change to green | Not used in Greece |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Greek and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
germany:
Indicates the light is about to change to green
greece:
Not used in Greece
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
germany:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
Traffic Signs: Language
germany:
German; symbols are standard
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
germany:
Triangle-shaped with red border
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Germany | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in many areas; check for signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
germany:
Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present
greece:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
germany:
Prohibited in many areas; check for signs
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Germany | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory, every 2 years | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on rear license plate | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
germany:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
germany:
Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended
greece:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
germany:
Mandatory, every 2 years
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
germany:
Displayed on rear license plate
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Road Etiquette
| Germany | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
germany:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
greece:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Germany | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; police may set up roadblocks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, varies by offense | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties |
Limits: Professional Drivers
germany:
0.00%
greece:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
germany:
0.00%
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
germany:
Common
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
germany:
Can be substantial, varies by offense
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
germany:
Can result in license suspension
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
Emergency Services
| Germany | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 100 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ADAC | 10400 for ELPA assistance |
Contact: Traffic Police
germany:
110
greece:
100
Contact: Roadside Assistance
germany:
Check with your insurance provider or ADAC
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
Penalties And Fines
| Germany | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €30 to €60 | €350, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €90 to €200, points on license | €350, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay | Varies; typically 10 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
germany:
Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
germany:
€30 to €60
greece:
€350, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
germany:
€90 to €200, points on license
greece:
€350, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
germany:
Common
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
Payment: Deadline
germany:
Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay