Driving in Greece vs. Monaco: Key Safety Differences
Discover the essential contrasts in road regulations between Greece and Monaco to enhance your travel experience. From lane markings to speed restrictions and traffic signals, this comparison highlights Greece's more diverse road infrastructure versus Monaco’s strict adherence to rules. Stay informed and drive with confidence while navigating these unique driving environments.
Lanes
| Greece | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in Monaco. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used in Monaco. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed if traffic conditions permit. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited, mostly on main roads |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Predominantly for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled ‘BUS’. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with small vehicles or buses. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols or shared lane markings. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Standard speed limits apply |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
greece:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
monaco:
Not commonly used in Monaco.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
greece:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
monaco:
Not commonly used in Monaco.
Overtaking: On Right
greece:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
monaco:
Allowed if traffic conditions permit.
Bus Lanes: Presence
greece:
Yes
monaco:
Limited, mostly on main roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
monaco:
Predominantly for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
monaco:
Labeled ‘BUS’.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
greece:
Yes
monaco:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
greece:
Exclusive for bicycles.
monaco:
Shared with small vehicles or buses.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
greece:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
monaco:
Bicycle symbols or shared lane markings.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
greece:
Not applicable
monaco:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
monaco:
Standard speed limits apply
Speeds Limits
| Greece | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | N/A |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | N/A |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Standard speed limits apply |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot | Common for traffic violations |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
90 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
greece:
80 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
130 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Highways: Buses And Vans
greece:
100 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
monaco:
Standard speed limits apply
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
monaco:
Common for traffic violations
Signals
| Greece | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Rare in Monaco, usually not used |
| 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; symbols are standard |
| 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
monaco:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
greece:
Not used in Greece
monaco:
Rare in Monaco, usually not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
monaco:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
monaco:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
monaco:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Greece | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Permitted where indicated; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
greece:
Not allowed
monaco:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
monaco:
Permitted where indicated; check for signs
Documentation
| Greece | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required | Required annually; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the vehicle windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
monaco:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
greece:
International Driving Permit required
monaco:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
monaco:
Required annually; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
monaco:
Displayed on the vehicle windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
greece:
Mandatory
monaco:
Recommended
Alcohol
| Greece | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police may set up roadblocks | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial; varies by severity |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Underage Drivers
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
monaco:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
monaco:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
monaco:
Can be substantial; varies by severity
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
monaco:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Greece | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 112 or 18 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | Local police also available on 911 using GSM |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | Available through service providers or insurance |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
greece:
112
monaco:
112 or 18
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
monaco:
Local police also available on 911 using GSM
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
monaco:
Available through service providers or insurance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
greece:
Mandatory
monaco:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license | Varies; fines are substantial |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €350, points on license | Fine applies if not used |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | Substantial fines issued |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €350, points on license | High fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Possible; varies |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 10 days to pay | Varies; typically must be settled soon |
Common Fines: Speeding
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
monaco:
Varies; fines are substantial
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
monaco:
Fine applies if not used
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
monaco:
Substantial fines issued
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
monaco:
High fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
monaco:
Possible; varies
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
monaco:
Varies; typically must be settled soon