Driving in Greece vs. Iceland: Key Safety Differences
Exploring the driving regulations in Greece and Iceland reveals intriguing contrasts that can significantly impact safety on the road. From speed limits and lane usage to penalties for violations, each country has unique rules. Ensuring a smooth driving experience abroad requires understanding these distinctions, highlighting the importance of preparation for travelers.
Lanes
| Greece | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
greece:
List length: 5
iceland:
List length: 4
Bus Lanes: Usage
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
Bus Lanes: Markings
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
greece:
Not applicable
iceland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
iceland:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Greece | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h on gravel roads |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h on paved roads |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80 km/h on paved roads |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot | Yes |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
90 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
greece:
80 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
130 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
greece:
100 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
iceland:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
iceland:
Yes
Signals
| Greece | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Greece | N/A |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | N/A |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | N/A |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Icelandic; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
greece:
Not used in Greece
iceland:
N/A
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
greece:
Signal when exiting
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
iceland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
greece:
Fines may apply for misuse
iceland:
N/A
Hand Signals: Common Usage
greece:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
iceland:
N/A
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Greece | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Greece | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
greece:
International Driving Permit required
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
iceland:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
iceland:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Greece | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police may set up roadblocks | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial penalties can apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: Underage Drivers
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
iceland:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Roundabouts
| Greece | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
greece:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Signaling: Exiting
greece:
Signal right when preparing to exit
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Greece | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | National Police number 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | Contact local towing services or insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
iceland:
National Police number 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
iceland:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €350, points on license | Mandatory; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | Fines if found using without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €350, points on license | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 10 days to pay | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame |
Common Fines: Speeding
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
iceland:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame