Driving in Greece vs. Norway: Key Differences Explained
Discover the contrasting rules of the road in Greece and Norway, where diverse regulations shape the driving experience. Key differences include speed limits, overtaking practices, and alcohol thresholds, highlighting the importance of understanding local traffic laws for a safer journey abroad. Prepare to navigate these unique driving landscapes with confidence!
Lanes
| Greece | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not standard in Norway. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | Minimum two or more occupants |
| 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.
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
greece:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
Overtaking: On Right
greece:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
greece:
No
norway:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
greece:
Not applicable
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
greece:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Greece | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
greece:
50 km/h
norway:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
90 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
130 km/h
norway:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
greece:
100 km/h
norway:
90-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
greece:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
norway:
Yes
Signals
| Greece | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Greece | Not used in Norway |
| 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 | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
greece:
Not used in Greece
norway:
Not used in Norway
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
norway:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Documentation
| Greece | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | Accepted with a national driving license |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | None |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
greece:
International Driving Permit required
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
norway:
None
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Alcohol
| Greece | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police may set up roadblocks | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | High fines and possible license revocation |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
greece:
0.05%
norway:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
norway:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Greece | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | 02800 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
norway:
02800
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €350, points on license | 1500 NOK |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | 1700 NOK |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €350, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Yes, typically required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 10 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
greece:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
norway:
1500 NOK
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
norway:
1700 NOK
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
norway:
Yes, typically required
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
norway:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay