Driving in Greece vs. South Africa: Key Differences
Exploring the road regulations of Greece and South Africa reveals intriguing contrasts that impact travelers' experiences. From the contrasting driving sides—right in Greece and left in South Africa—to varying speed limits and lane usage, understanding these nuances is crucial for ensuring a secure journey abroad. Stay informed and drive safely!
Lanes
| Greece | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Driving Side
greece:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
greece:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
greece:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
greece:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
greece:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
greece:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
greece:
Not applicable
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Greece | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
greece:
50 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
greece:
30 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
90 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
greece:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
130 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
greece:
100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Greece | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Greece | Not used in South Africa |
| 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 | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with yellow background | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
greece:
Not used in Greece
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
south africa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Greece | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
U- Turns Allowed
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Greece | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
greece:
International Driving Permit required
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Greece | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
greece:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Greece | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police may set up roadblocks | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: Underage Drivers
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
south africa:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Greece | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
greece:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Greece | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
greece:
112
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €350, points on license | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €350, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 10 days to pay | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay