Driving in Greece vs. Latvia: Key Differences Uncovered
When exploring the roads of Greece and Latvia, understanding their unique driving regulations is crucial for ensuring a safe journey. Key distinctions include speed limits on highways—130 km/h in Greece versus 100 km/h in Latvia—and differing rules on overtaking and alcohol tolerance. Prepare yourself for a smoother ride by familiarizing yourself with these essential variations.
Lanes
| Greece | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear. |
| 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.
latvia:
Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
greece:
Not applicable
latvia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
latvia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Greece | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 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 | Common; fines are often issued immediately |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
130 km/h
latvia:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
greece:
100 km/h
latvia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
greece:
No
latvia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
latvia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
latvia:
Common; fines are often issued immediately
Signals
| Greece | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Greece | Not used in Latvia |
| 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 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Latvian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
greece:
Not used in Greece
latvia:
Not used in Latvia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
greece:
Signal when exiting
latvia:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
latvia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
latvia:
Latvian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
latvia:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Greece | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
greece:
Not allowed
latvia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
latvia:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
Documentation
| Greece | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | Accepted, no International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
latvia:
Accepted, no International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
greece:
International Driving Permit required
latvia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
latvia:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
latvia:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Greece | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings |
Pedestrians Priority
greece:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
latvia:
Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings
Alcohol
| Greece | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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, especially on weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial, varies based on BAC |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
greece:
0.02%
latvia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
latvia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
latvia:
Common, especially on weekends
Enforcement: Fines
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
latvia:
Substantial, varies based on BAC
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
latvia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Greece | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | Varies; dial 112 for emergencies |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
latvia:
Varies; dial 112 for emergencies
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
latvia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license | Varies; €20 to €300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €350, points on license | €20 to €40, fines vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | €10 to €30, fines vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €350, points on license | €30 to €70, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Common; fines can often be settled at the time |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 10 days to pay | Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
latvia:
Varies; €20 to €300, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
greece:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
latvia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
latvia:
€20 to €40, fines vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
latvia:
€10 to €30, fines vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
latvia:
€30 to €70, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
latvia:
Common; fines can often be settled at the time
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
latvia:
Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days