Driving in Greece vs. Romania: Key Differences Explained
When comparing the driving landscapes of Greece and Romania, several key distinctions emerge that are vital for travelers. From varying speed limits on highways to differences in alcohol regulations, understanding these nuances can significantly impact road safety abroad. Equip yourself with essential insights to navigate these countries confidently and responsibly.
Lanes
| Greece | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited, mainly in urban areas |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Not commonly used |
Cycle Lanes: Presence
greece:
Yes
romania:
Limited, mainly in urban areas
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
romania:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Greece | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot | Yes, common practice |
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
romania:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
romania:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
romania:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Greece | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Greece | Not used in Romania |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary | Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Romanian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
greece:
Not used in Greece
romania:
Not used in Romania
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
romania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
romania:
Romanian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
romania:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Greece | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Generally allowed unless signed otherwise |
U- Turns Allowed
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
romania:
Generally allowed unless signed otherwise
Documentation
| Greece | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required | Yes, periodic inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
romania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
romania:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
romania:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Greece | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use expected |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
greece:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
romania:
Moderate use expected
Alcohol
| Greece | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits |
| 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 | Considerable fines for offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
greece:
0.05%
romania:
0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits
Limits: Professional Drivers
greece:
0.02%
romania:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
romania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
romania:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
romania:
Considerable fines for offenses
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
romania:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Greece | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | Call your insurance provider or a local service |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road |
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
romania:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
romania:
Call your insurance provider or a local service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
greece:
Mandatory
romania:
Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
romania:
Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license | Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Hefty fines and possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €350, points on license | Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €350, points on license | Fines applicable; license points may be added |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 10 days to pay | Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist |
Common Fines: Speeding
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
romania:
Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
greece:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
romania:
Hefty fines and possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
romania:
Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
romania:
Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
romania:
Fines applicable; license points may be added
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
romania:
Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
romania:
Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
greece:
Possible if fines are not paid
romania:
Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist