Driving in Greece vs. Qatar: Key Safety Differences
When traversing the roads of Greece and Qatar, understanding the distinct regulations and practices is vital for a safe journey. Key variations include overtaking rules, speed limitations, and alcohol tolerance levels. This comparison highlights how Greece allows right-side overtaking while Qatar imposes stricter guidelines, ensuring drivers are well-prepared for their travels abroad.
Lanes
| Greece | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed only in designated situations, like when vehicles ahead are turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and authorized vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with appropriate road signs or pavement markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with vehicles, as dedicated lanes are rare. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Right
greece:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
qatar:
Allowed only in designated situations, like when vehicles ahead are turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
qatar:
Reserved for buses and authorized vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
qatar:
Labeled with appropriate road signs or pavement markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
greece:
Yes
qatar:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
greece:
Exclusive for bicycles.
qatar:
Shared with vehicles, as dedicated lanes are rare.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
greece:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
qatar:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
greece:
No
qatar:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
qatar:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Greece | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 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
qatar:
60-80 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
greece:
30 km/h
qatar:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
90 km/h
qatar:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
greece:
80 km/h
qatar:
100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
130 km/h
qatar:
120 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
greece:
No
qatar:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
qatar:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
qatar:
Yes
Signals
| Greece | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Greece | Not used in Qatar |
| 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 | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with yellow background | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
greece:
Not used in Greece
qatar:
Not used in Qatar
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
qatar:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
qatar:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
qatar:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Greece | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
greece:
Not allowed
qatar:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
qatar:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Greece | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required | Annual inspection 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
qatar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
greece:
International Driving Permit required
qatar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
qatar:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
qatar:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
greece:
Mandatory
qatar:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
qatar:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Greece | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police may set up roadblocks | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial; penalties are severe |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
greece:
0.05%
qatar:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
greece:
0.02%
qatar:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
qatar:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
qatar:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
qatar:
Can be substantial; penalties are severe
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
qatar:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Greece | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | 999 or local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | Check with your insurance provider or contact private services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
greece:
112
qatar:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
qatar:
999 or local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
qatar:
Check with your insurance provider or contact private services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
greece:
Mandatory
qatar:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
qatar:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license | Varies; can be substantial, point system applies |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties; fines and imprisonment possible |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €350, points on license | Minimum 500 QR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | Minimum 500 QR, point system applies |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €350, points on license | Minimum 6000 QR, point system applies |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Yes, or online payment options |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 10 days to pay | Payments should be timely to avoid additional penalties |
Common Fines: Speeding
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
qatar:
Varies; can be substantial, point system applies
Common Fines: Alcohol
greece:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
qatar:
Severe penalties; fines and imprisonment possible
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
qatar:
Minimum 500 QR
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
qatar:
Minimum 500 QR, point system applies
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
qatar:
Minimum 6000 QR, point system applies
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
qatar:
Yes, or online payment options
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
qatar:
Payments should be timely to avoid additional penalties