Driving in Greece vs. Jordan: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Greece or Jordan, understanding the unique driving regulations is essential for a safe experience. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and documentation requirements. While Greece offers dedicated bus lanes and specific speed restrictions, Jordan presents a more flexible approach to urban driving. Ensure you're aware of these crucial variations to drive confidently abroad.
Lanes
| Greece | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the edge of the roadway. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed only on multi-lane urban roads. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No specific bus lanes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Buses share lanes with other vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited; primarily in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with vehicular traffic. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Cycle symbols where applicable. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
greece:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
jordan:
Marks the edge of the roadway.
Overtaking: On Right
greece:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
jordan:
Allowed only on multi-lane urban roads.
Bus Lanes: Presence
greece:
Yes
jordan:
No specific bus lanes
Bus Lanes: Usage
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
jordan:
Buses share lanes with other vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
jordan:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
greece:
Yes
jordan:
Limited; primarily in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
greece:
Exclusive for bicycles.
jordan:
Shared with vehicular traffic.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
greece:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
jordan:
Cycle symbols where applicable.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
greece:
Not applicable
jordan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
jordan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Greece | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 50-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot | Yes; common. |
Urban Areas: Standard
greece:
50 km/h
jordan:
50-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
greece:
30 km/h
jordan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
90 km/h
jordan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
greece:
80 km/h
jordan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
jordan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
130 km/h
jordan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
greece:
100 km/h
jordan:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
jordan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
jordan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
jordan:
Yes; common.
Signals
| Greece | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Greece | Not typically used |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | To avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines may apply for misuse |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with yellow background | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
greece:
Not used in Greece
jordan:
Not typically used
Horn Usage: Allowed
greece:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
jordan:
To avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
jordan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines may apply for misuse
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
jordan:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
jordan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Greece | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
greece:
Not allowed
jordan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
jordan:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Greece | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required | Annual inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
jordan:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
jordan:
Annual inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
jordan:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
greece:
Mandatory
jordan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
jordan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Greece | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use is common |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
greece:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
jordan:
Moderate use is common
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
greece:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
jordan:
Pull over and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Greece | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
greece:
0.02%
jordan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
jordan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
jordan:
Common at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
jordan:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
jordan:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Greece | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
greece:
112
jordan:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
jordan:
911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
jordan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
greece:
Mandatory
jordan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
jordan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license | Varies; fines can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €350, points on license | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €350, points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Yes, occasionally |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 10 days to pay | Typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
jordan:
Varies; fines can be substantial
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
jordan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
jordan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
jordan:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
jordan:
Yes, occasionally
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
jordan:
Typically 30 days to pay