Driving Differences: Greece vs Mexico for Safety Abroad
When comparing the rules of the road in Greece and Mexico, notable distinctions emerge that can impact your travel experience. From speed limits and lane usage to alcohol regulations and emergency contacts, understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure journey. Explore the unique driving landscape of both nations to drive with confidence abroad.
Lanes
| Greece | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mainly in urban areas for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Usage
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
Bus Lanes: Markings
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
greece:
Exclusive for bicycles.
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
greece:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
mexico:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
greece:
Not applicable
mexico:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
mexico:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Greece | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 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, particularly in high traffic areas |
Urban Areas: Standard
greece:
50 km/h
mexico:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
90 km/h
mexico:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
mexico:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
130 km/h
mexico:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
greece:
100 km/h
mexico:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
mexico:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
mexico:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
Signals
| Greece | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Greece | Not used in Mexico |
| 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 | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with yellow background | Triangular signs with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
greece:
Not used in Greece
mexico:
Not used in Mexico
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
mexico:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
mexico:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
Turns
| Greece | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited |
Right Turn On Red
greece:
Not allowed
mexico:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
Documentation
| Greece | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required | Varies by state; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
greece:
International Driving Permit required
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
mexico:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
greece:
Mandatory
mexico:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
mexico:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Greece | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
greece:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Greece | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police may set up roadblocks | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
greece:
0.05%
mexico:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
greece:
0.02%
mexico:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
mexico:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
mexico:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
mexico:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Greece | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | 066 or 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
greece:
112
mexico:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
mexico:
066 or 911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
greece:
Mandatory
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €350, points on license | Varies, up to $50, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | Varies; can lead to significant fines |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €350, points on license | Varies; can be substantial, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 10 days to pay | Varies; system improvements for online payments |
Common Fines: Speeding
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments