Driving in Greece vs. India: Key Differences You Must Know
Exploring the road rules of Greece and India reveals striking contrasts that are essential for safe travels. From driving on opposite sides to varying speed limits and enforcement practices, understanding these disparities can significantly enhance your driving experience abroad. Prepare to navigate the unique traffic landscapes of these fascinating countries.
Lanes
| Greece | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, but only when safe. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in some metropolitan areas |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in some areas |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Driving Side
greece:
Right
india:
Left
Overtaking: On Left
greece:
Yes
india:
No
Overtaking: On Right
greece:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
india:
Yes, but only when safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
greece:
Use rightmost lane.
india:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
greece:
Yes
india:
Yes, in some metropolitan areas
Bus Lanes: Usage
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
india:
Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply.
Bus Lanes: Markings
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
india:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
greece:
Yes
india:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
greece:
Not applicable
india:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
india:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Greece | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, in major cities and highways |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
greece:
50 km/h
india:
40-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
90 km/h
india:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
greece:
80 km/h
india:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
india:
60-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
130 km/h
india:
80-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
greece:
100 km/h
india:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
india:
60-80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
india:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
greece:
Yes
india:
Yes, in major cities and highways
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
india:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Greece | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Greece | Not used in India |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary | Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | More common due to varied vehicle conditions |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | English and local languages; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
greece:
Not used in Greece
india:
Not used in India
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
india:
Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
greece:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
india:
More common due to varied vehicle conditions
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
india:
English and local languages; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
india:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Greece | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed in designated areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
greece:
Not allowed
india:
Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign
Left Turn: General
greece:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
india:
Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
U- Turns Allowed
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
india:
Allowed in designated areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Greece | India | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | PUC sticker displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
greece:
International Driving Permit required
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
india:
Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
india:
PUC sticker displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
greece:
Mandatory
india:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
india:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Greece | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to other countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass |
Use Of Horn: Limited
greece:
Only in emergency situations
india:
Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
greece:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
india:
Frequent use compared to other countries
Pedestrians Priority
greece:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
india:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
greece:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
india:
Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass
Alcohol
| Greece | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| 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 in cities; checkpoints are regularly used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Varies by state; fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
greece:
0.05%
india:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
greece:
0.02%
india:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
india:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
india:
Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used
Enforcement: Fines
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
india:
Varies by state; fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
india:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Greece | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
greece:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
india:
Signal if turning upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
greece:
Signal right when preparing to exit
india:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Greece | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
india:
Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
india:
Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
greece:
Mandatory
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license | Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €350, points on license | ₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €350, points on license | ₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 10 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
india:
Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
india:
₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
india:
₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
india:
₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
india:
Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
india:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay