Driving in Greece vs. Lebanon: Key Safety Differences
When traversing the roads of Greece and Lebanon, it's essential to understand the variances in regulations and practices to ensure a secure journey. From speed limits and lane marking distinctions to unique signaling rules, drivers will find notable contrasts that can impact safety and navigation. Prepare for an enlightening exploration of these two fascinating nations!
Lanes
| Greece | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used as a separation line in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
greece:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
greece:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Presence
greece:
Yes
lebanon:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
lebanon:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
lebanon:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
greece:
Yes
lebanon:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
greece:
Exclusive for bicycles.
lebanon:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
greece:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
lebanon:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
greece:
Not applicable
lebanon:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
lebanon:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Greece | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
greece:
50 km/h
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
greece:
30 km/h
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
90 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
greece:
80 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
130 km/h
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
greece:
100 km/h
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
lebanon:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
lebanon:
Yes
Signals
| Greece | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Greece | Not used in Lebanon |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary | Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Arabic and French; 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
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
greece:
Signal when exiting
lebanon:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Greece | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
greece:
Not allowed
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Greece | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes, annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
lebanon:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
lebanon:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Greece | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
greece:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
greece:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Greece | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police may set up roadblocks | Common through checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial for violations |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
greece:
0.02%
lebanon:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
lebanon:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Greece | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when preparing to enter |
Signaling: Entering
greece:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
Emergency Services
| Greece | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | Varies; consult your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
lebanon:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
lebanon:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license | Varies; may lead to substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Fines and potential incarceration |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €350, points on license | Mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €350, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Possible; often paid at stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 10 days to pay | Usually within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
greece:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
lebanon:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days