Driving in Greece vs. Italy: Key Safety Differences
Explore the vital distinctions in driving regulations between Greece and Italy to enhance your road safety abroad. This comparison highlights key aspects such as lane markings, speed limits, and traffic signals. Understanding these variations will ensure a smoother and safer journey as you navigate the roads of these beautiful Mediterranean countries.
Lanes
| Greece | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
greece:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
italy:
Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
greece:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
italy:
Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
greece:
Not applicable
italy:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
greece:
No
italy:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Greece | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
italy:
70 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
greece:
No
italy:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
italy:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Greece | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Greece | Used; prepare to go when green appears |
| 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 | Italian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
greece:
Not used in Greece
italy:
Used; prepare to go when green appears
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
italy:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
italy:
Italian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
italy:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Greece | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
greece:
Not allowed
italy:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
Documentation
| Greece | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required | Mandatory for vehicles over four years old |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on license plate |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
italy:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
greece:
International Driving Permit required
italy:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
italy:
Mandatory for vehicles over four years old
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
italy:
Displayed on license plate
Alcohol
| Greece | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
greece:
0.02%
italy:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
italy:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
italy:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
italy:
Substantial
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
italy:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Greece | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | 113 (State Police) |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | 116 (ACI) |
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
italy:
113 (State Police)
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
italy:
116 (ACI)
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license | Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €350, points on license | Varies; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | Fines apply, strict enforcement |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €350, points on license | Fines apply, may include points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Possible, especially for foreign drivers |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 10 days to pay | Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
italy:
Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
italy:
Varies; fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
italy:
Fines apply, strict enforcement
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
italy:
Fines apply, may include points on license
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
italy:
Possible, especially for foreign drivers
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
italy:
Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days