Driving Differences: Greece vs. Libya for Safe Travels
Exploring the road rules in Greece and Libya reveals notable contrasts crucial for safe travel. While Greece boasts dedicated bus and cycle lanes, Libya lacks these features. Speed limits also differ, with urban speeds set at 30 km/h in Greece compared to 40 km/h in Libya. Understanding these distinctions is vital for a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Greece | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the separation between directions on some roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Not commonly designated. |
| 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. | Not commonly designated. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Generally not used. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
greece:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
libya:
Marks the separation between directions on some roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
greece:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
libya:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
greece:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
libya:
Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
greece:
Yes
libya:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
libya:
Not commonly designated.
Bus Lanes: Markings
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
libya:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
greece:
Yes
libya:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
greece:
Exclusive for bicycles.
libya:
Not commonly designated.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
greece:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
libya:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
libya:
Generally not used.
Speeds Limits
| Greece | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Generally not used. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
greece:
30 km/h
libya:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
libya:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
130 km/h
libya:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
greece:
100 km/h
libya:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
libya:
Generally not used.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
libya:
Yes
Signals
| Greece | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Greece | Not used in Libya |
| 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 |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
greece:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
libya:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
greece:
Not used in Greece
libya:
Not used in Libya
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
libya:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
libya:
Arabic
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
libya:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Greece | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Generally not allowed unless specified |
Right Turn On Red
greece:
Not allowed
libya:
Generally not allowed unless specified
Documentation
| Greece | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required | Required for registration and periodically thereafter |
| 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
libya:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
greece:
International Driving Permit required
libya:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
libya:
Required for registration and periodically thereafter
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
libya:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
greece:
Mandatory
libya:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
libya:
Recommended
Alcohol
| Greece | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Possible; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
greece:
0.05%
libya:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
greece:
0.02%
libya:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
libya:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
libya:
Possible; checkpoints used in some areas
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
libya:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Greece | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 193 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | Varies by area |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
greece:
112
libya:
193
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
libya:
Varies by area
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
libya:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
greece:
Mandatory
libya:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
libya:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license | Varies; fines based on severity |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €350, points on license | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €350, points on license | Fines may apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 10 days to pay | Varies; typically required within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
libya:
Varies; fines based on severity
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
libya:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
libya:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
libya:
Fines may apply
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
libya:
Possible
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
libya:
Varies; typically required within 30 days