Driving in Greece vs. Luxembourg: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Greece and Luxembourg, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their travel experience. Key differences include speed limits, lane markings, and traffic enforcement methods. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure journey while abroad, making it crucial for travelers to familiarize themselves with each country's unique driving culture.
Lanes
| Greece | Luxembourg | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not typically used. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not typically used. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
greece:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
luxembourg:
Not typically used.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
greece:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
luxembourg:
Not typically used.
Bus Lanes: Markings
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
luxembourg:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
greece:
Not applicable
luxembourg:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
greece:
No
luxembourg:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
luxembourg:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Greece | Luxembourg | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 75 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 75 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 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 | Yes |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
greece:
80 km/h
luxembourg:
75 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
luxembourg:
75 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
greece:
100 km/h
luxembourg:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
luxembourg:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
greece:
No
luxembourg:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
luxembourg:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
luxembourg:
Yes
Signals
| Greece | Luxembourg | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Greece | Not used in Luxembourg |
| 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 | French, German, and Luxembourgish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
greece:
Not used in Greece
luxembourg:
Not used in Luxembourg
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
luxembourg:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
luxembourg:
French, German, and Luxembourgish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
luxembourg:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Greece | Luxembourg | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Permitted unless signage indicates otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
greece:
Not allowed
luxembourg:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
luxembourg:
Permitted unless signage indicates otherwise
Documentation
| Greece | Luxembourg | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | Accepted; must have a valid national license |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required | Mandatory; regular intervals |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
luxembourg:
Accepted; must have a valid national license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
greece:
International Driving Permit required
luxembourg:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
luxembourg:
Mandatory; regular intervals
Alcohol
| Greece | Luxembourg | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police may set up roadblocks | Conducted regularly; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Results in license suspension |
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
luxembourg:
Conducted regularly; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
luxembourg:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
luxembourg:
Results in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Greece | Luxembourg | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | 113 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | Contact your insurance provider or automobile club |
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
luxembourg:
113
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
luxembourg:
Contact your insurance provider or automobile club
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | Luxembourg | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license | Varies; up to €145 for minor infractions |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €350, points on license | Up to €145 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | Up to €145 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €350, points on license | Varies; severe penalties |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Yes; fines often collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 10 days to pay | Varies; usually a specific period |
Common Fines: Speeding
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
luxembourg:
Varies; up to €145 for minor infractions
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
luxembourg:
Up to €145
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
luxembourg:
Up to €145
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
luxembourg:
Varies; severe penalties
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
luxembourg:
Yes; fines often collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
luxembourg:
Varies; usually a specific period