Driving in Greece vs. Kuwait: Key Differences Explained
When traveling abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for ensuring a safe journey. This comparison highlights key distinctions between driving in Greece and Kuwait, from lane usage and speed restrictions to alcohol limits and traffic signals. Discover how these variations can impact your driving experience in each country.
Lanes
| Greece | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not commonly practiced. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
greece:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
kuwait:
Not commonly practiced.
Bus Lanes: Usage
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
kuwait:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
kuwait:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
greece:
Yes
kuwait:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
greece:
Exclusive for bicycles.
kuwait:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
greece:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
kuwait:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
greece:
Not applicable
kuwait:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
kuwait:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Greece | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 45-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 45 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
greece:
50 km/h
kuwait:
45-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
greece:
30 km/h
kuwait:
45 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
90 km/h
kuwait:
80-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
greece:
80 km/h
kuwait:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
kuwait:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
130 km/h
kuwait:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
kuwait:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
kuwait:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
kuwait:
Yes
Signals
| Greece | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Greece | Not used |
| 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 | Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
greece:
Not used in Greece
kuwait:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
kuwait:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
kuwait:
Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
kuwait:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Greece | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless signs allow |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
greece:
Not allowed
kuwait:
Prohibited unless signs allow
U- Turns Allowed
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
kuwait:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Greece | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
| 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
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
kuwait:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
kuwait:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
greece:
Mandatory
kuwait:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
kuwait:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Greece | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| 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 | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Significant fines and legal consequences |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
greece:
0.05%
kuwait:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
greece:
0.02%
kuwait:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
kuwait:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
kuwait:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
kuwait:
Significant fines and legal consequences
Enforcement: Imprisonment
greece:
Possible for severe offenses
kuwait:
Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
kuwait:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Greece | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
kuwait:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
kuwait:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
greece:
Mandatory
kuwait:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
kuwait:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license | Varies; may include points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Very severe penalties for any alcohol |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €350, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | Fines applicable |
| 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 | Yes, possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 10 days to pay | Varies; typically within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
kuwait:
Varies; may include points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
greece:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
kuwait:
Very severe penalties for any alcohol
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
kuwait:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
kuwait:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
kuwait:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
kuwait:
Yes, possible
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
kuwait:
Varies; typically within 30 days