Driving in Greece vs. Slovakia: Key Safety Differences
When venturing into Greece or Slovakia, understanding the distinctions in road regulations is crucial for safe travel. Key differences, such as varying speed limits and alcohol tolerance levels, play significant roles in ensuring a secure driving experience. Familiarize yourself with these unique aspects to navigate each country with confidence and ease.
Lanes
| Greece | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
greece:
Not applicable
slovakia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
greece:
No
slovakia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Greece | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 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 |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
greece:
30 km/h
slovakia:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
greece:
80 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
greece:
No
slovakia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
slovakia:
Yes
Signals
| Greece | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Greece | Not used in Slovakia |
| 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 | Slovak; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
greece:
Not used in Greece
slovakia:
Not used in Slovakia
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
slovakia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
slovakia:
Slovak; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
slovakia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Greece | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
slovakia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Greece | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | International Driving Permit required along with local license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required | Mandatory and regular inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
slovakia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
greece:
International Driving Permit required
slovakia:
International Driving Permit required along with local license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
slovakia:
Mandatory and regular inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
slovakia:
Displayed on windshield
Alcohol
| Greece | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
greece:
0.05%
slovakia:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
greece:
0.02%
slovakia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
slovakia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
slovakia:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
slovakia:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
slovakia:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Greece | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | 158 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service |
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
slovakia:
158
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
slovakia:
Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license | Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €350, points on license | €50 to €150, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | €100 to €200, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €350, points on license | €100 to €250, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 10 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
slovakia:
Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
slovakia:
€50 to €150, points in some regions
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
slovakia:
€100 to €200, points in some regions
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
slovakia:
€100 to €250, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
slovakia:
Common
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
slovakia:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay