Driving in Greece vs. Russia: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roadways of Greece and Russia, drivers encounter notable variances in regulations and practices. From speed limits to lane markings, understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring safe navigation. This comparison highlights essential guidelines to help travelers confidently traverse the unique driving landscapes of both nations.
Lanes
| Greece | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with specific road signs or markings. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| 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.
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
Bus Lanes: Usage
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
greece:
Not applicable
russia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
greece:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Greece | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 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; but fines are also mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
greece:
50 km/h
russia:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
greece:
30 km/h
russia:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
greece:
80 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
russia:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
130 km/h
russia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
greece:
100 km/h
russia:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
greece:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
Signals
| Greece | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Greece | Not used in Russia |
| 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 | Russian; 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
russia:
Not used in Russia
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
russia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
russia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Greece | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
greece:
Not allowed
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Greece | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Usually indicated in vehicle documents |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
greece:
International Driving Permit required
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
russia:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Greece | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.035% |
| 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, especially in cities |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
greece:
0.05%
russia:
0.035%
Limits: Professional Drivers
greece:
0.02%
russia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
russia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
russia:
Common, especially in cities
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
russia:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Greece | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | Check local numbers; 113 is common |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
russia:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
russia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €350, points on license | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | Fines apply, points in the record |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €350, points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 10 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
russia:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
russia:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay