Driving in Greece vs. Saudi Arabia: Key Differences
Discover the intriguing contrasts between driving in Greece and Saudi Arabia. From bus lane regulations to speed limits, these nations showcase unique approaches to road safety. With Greece favoring reserved lanes for public transport and Saudi Arabia implementing high-occupancy lanes, understanding these disparities is essential for a secure journey abroad.
Lanes
| Greece | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Presence
greece:
Yes
saudi arabia:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
greece:
Yes
saudi arabia:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
greece:
Exclusive for bicycles.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
greece:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
saudi arabia:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
greece:
No
saudi arabia:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
greece:
Not applicable
saudi arabia:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
saudi arabia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Greece | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot | Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS |
Urban Areas: Standard
greece:
50 km/h
saudi arabia:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
greece:
30 km/h
saudi arabia:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
90 km/h
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
greece:
80 km/h
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
saudi arabia:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
130 km/h
saudi arabia:
120-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
greece:
100 km/h
saudi arabia:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
saudi arabia:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
saudi arabia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
saudi arabia:
Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS
Signals
| Greece | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Greece | Not used in Saudi Arabia |
| 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; 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
saudi arabia:
Not used in Saudi Arabia
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
saudi arabia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
saudi arabia:
Arabic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
saudi arabia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Greece | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
saudi arabia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Greece | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Mandatory periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
greece:
International Driving Permit required
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
saudi arabia:
Mandatory periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
saudi arabia:
Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection
Road Etiquette
| Greece | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use for communication on the road |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
greece:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
saudi arabia:
Frequent use for communication on the road
Alcohol
| Greece | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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, random checkpoints are used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; possible imprisonment |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Frequent for offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
greece:
0.05%
saudi arabia:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
greece:
0.02%
saudi arabia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
saudi arabia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
saudi arabia:
Common, random checkpoints are used
Enforcement: Fines
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
saudi arabia:
Substantial; possible imprisonment
Enforcement: Imprisonment
greece:
Possible for severe offenses
saudi arabia:
Frequent for offenses
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
saudi arabia:
Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties
Emergency Services
| Greece | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | 993 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
Contact: General Emergency
greece:
112
saudi arabia:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
saudi arabia:
993
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
saudi arabia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license | Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €350, points on license | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | Fines imposed, typically SAR 500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €350, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer |
| 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
saudi arabia:
Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
greece:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines, imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed, typically SAR 500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
saudi arabia:
Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
saudi arabia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay