Driving in Greece vs. Philippines: Key Differences Explained
Discover the contrasts in road regulations and driving practices between Greece and the Philippines. From speed limits to lane usage, this comparison highlights essential distinctions that every traveler should know to ensure a secure journey. Whether you’re navigating the bustling streets of Athens or Manila, understanding these variances is crucial for your on-road safety.
Lanes
| Greece | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | Minimum two occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Not commonly used |
Overtaking: On Right
greece:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
philippines:
Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets.
Bus Lanes: Usage
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
philippines:
Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs.
Bus Lanes: Markings
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
philippines:
Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
greece:
Exclusive for bicycles.
philippines:
Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
greece:
No
philippines:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
greece:
Not applicable
philippines:
Minimum two occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
philippines:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Greece | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40 kph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 kph |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 kph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70 kph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50 kph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100 kph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 kph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80 kph |
| Speed Units | km/h | kph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot | Less common; fines are usually issued later |
Urban Areas: Standard
greece:
50 km/h
philippines:
40 kph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
greece:
30 km/h
philippines:
20 kph
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
90 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
greece:
80 km/h
philippines:
70 kph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
philippines:
50 kph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
130 km/h
philippines:
100 kph
Highways: Buses And Vans
greece:
100 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Speed Units
greece:
km/h
philippines:
kph
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
philippines:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
philippines:
Less common; fines are usually issued later
Signals
| Greece | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Greece | 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 | English and Filipino; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with yellow background | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
greece:
Not used in Greece
philippines:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
philippines:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
philippines:
English and Filipino; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
philippines:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
Turns
| Greece | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Common, check for signs indicating restrictions |
Right Turn On Red
greece:
Not allowed
philippines:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
philippines:
Common, check for signs indicating restrictions
Documentation
| Greece | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required | Required for registration; certificate must be displayed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
greece:
International Driving Permit required
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
greece:
Liability insurance mandatory
philippines:
Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
philippines:
Required for registration; certificate must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
philippines:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Greece | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
greece:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
philippines:
Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users
Alcohol
| Greece | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police may set up roadblocks | Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Severe for violations, may include imprisonment |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
greece:
0.02%
philippines:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
philippines:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
philippines:
Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays
Enforcement: Fines
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
philippines:
Severe for violations, may include imprisonment
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
philippines:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Greece | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
greece:
112
philippines:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
philippines:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
philippines:
Check with your insurance provider or AAA
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license | Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000 |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €350, points on license | PHP 300 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | PHP 1000 to PHP 5000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €350, points on license | PHP 1000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 10 days to pay | Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance |
Common Fines: Speeding
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
philippines:
Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
philippines:
PHP 300
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
philippines:
PHP 1000 to PHP 5000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
philippines:
PHP 1000
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
philippines:
Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
philippines:
Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance