Driving in Greece vs. Madagascar: Key Differences Explained
When venturing into the roads of Greece and Madagascar, understanding the unique variances in traffic regulations is vital for a safe journey. Greece boasts strict lane usage and speed limits, while Madagascar emphasizes local customs and flexible speeds. This guide will illuminate essential distinctions to help travelers navigate confidently and securely in both countries.
Lanes
| Greece | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Typically not used. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not recommended; local conditions may vary. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Stay to the right lane when possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Available mainly in urban areas |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved mostly for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | May be marked clearly in major cities. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Sparse |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with vehicles unless marked. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes | Yes, when possible. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Speed limits are fixed. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
greece:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
madagascar:
Typically not used.
Overtaking: On Right
greece:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
greece:
Use rightmost lane.
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
greece:
Yes
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
Bus Lanes: Usage
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
greece:
Yes
madagascar:
Sparse
Cycle Lanes: Usage
greece:
Exclusive for bicycles.
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
greece:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
madagascar:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
greece:
Not applicable
madagascar:
N/A
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
greece:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
Speeds Limits
| Greece | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, particularly in urban areas. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot | Yes, common. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
greece:
30 km/h
madagascar:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
90 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
greece:
80 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
130 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
greece:
100 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
greece:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
madagascar:
Yes, common.
Signals
| Greece | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Greece | Not commonly used |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary | Excessive use discouraged |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | May apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers or signal overtaking |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Occasionally used, especially in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | French and Malagasy |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with yellow background | Triangular signs with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
greece:
Not used in Greece
madagascar:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Allowed
greece:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
Horn Usage: Penalties
greece:
Fines may apply for misuse
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
greece:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
greece:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
Turns
| Greece | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Prohibited unless specified otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
greece:
Not allowed
madagascar:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
Documentation
| Greece | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required | Mandatory for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Indication may vary |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
greece:
International Driving Permit required
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
madagascar:
Indication may vary
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
madagascar:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Greece | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Use is more frequent in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Significantly used for communication with other drivers |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
greece:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
greece:
Only in emergency situations
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
greece:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
Pedestrians Priority
greece:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
greece:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
Alcohol
| Greece | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police may set up roadblocks | Common in urban areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Results in penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
greece:
0.05%
madagascar:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
greece:
0.02%
madagascar:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
madagascar:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
Enforcement: Fines
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
madagascar:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
madagascar:
Results in penalties
Roundabouts
| Greece | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Not commonly practiced |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
greece:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
madagascar:
Not commonly practiced
Signaling: Exiting
greece:
Signal right when preparing to exit
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Greece | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 117 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | Could vary; commonly police contact |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | Varies by provider, public services might be limited |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
greece:
112
madagascar:
117
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
madagascar:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €350, points on license | Fines applicable for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | Fines applicable for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €350, points on license | Monetary fines applied |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Common for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 10 days to pay | Determined by issuing authority |
Common Fines: Speeding
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
greece:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority