Driving in Greece vs. Guatemala: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Greece and Guatemala, significant variances in traffic regulations and practices emerge. From the enforcement of speed limits to the presence of dedicated lanes for buses and cyclists, both nations adopt distinctive approaches to road etiquette and safety. Understanding these contrasts is crucial for ensuring a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Greece | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with vehicles in some areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Varies by location. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Presence
greece:
Yes
guatemala:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
guatemala:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
guatemala:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
greece:
Yes
guatemala:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
greece:
Exclusive for bicycles.
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
greece:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
guatemala:
Varies by location.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
greece:
Not applicable
guatemala:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
guatemala:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Greece | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Limited use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
greece:
50 km/h
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
90 km/h
guatemala:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
greece:
80 km/h
guatemala:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
guatemala:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
130 km/h
guatemala:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
greece:
100 km/h
guatemala:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
guatemala:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
greece:
Yes
guatemala:
Limited use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Greece | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Greece | Not used in Guatemala |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
greece:
Not used in Greece
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
guatemala:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Greece | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Varies, check local signs for permission |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
greece:
Not allowed
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
U- Turns Allowed
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Greece | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required | Mandatory; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
greece:
International Driving Permit required
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Greece | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
greece:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Greece | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police may set up roadblocks | Common, especially at night |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Varies by locality; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
greece:
0.02%
guatemala:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
guatemala:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
Enforcement: Fines
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
guatemala:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Greece | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 122 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
greece:
112
guatemala:
122
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
guatemala:
110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €350, points on license | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €350, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 10 days to pay | Varies; check with local authorities |
Common Fines: Speeding
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
guatemala:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
guatemala:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
guatemala:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
guatemala:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities