Driving in Greece vs. Trinidad and Tobago: A Safety Guide
Driving in Greece and Trinidad and Tobago presents intriguing contrasts in road regulations and practices. From the distinct sides of the road each country favors—right versus left—to varying speed limits and lane usage, understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a safe journey abroad. Discover the essential driving distinctions to navigate confidently in these diverse locales.
Lanes
| Greece | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, when safe and permitted. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Marked with signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Driving Side
greece:
Right
trinidad and tobago:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
greece:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
trinidad and tobago:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
greece:
Yes
trinidad and tobago:
No
Overtaking: On Right
greece:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
trinidad and tobago:
Yes, when safe and permitted.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
greece:
Use rightmost lane.
trinidad and tobago:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
trinidad and tobago:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
trinidad and tobago:
Marked with signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
greece:
Yes
trinidad and tobago:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
greece:
Exclusive for bicycles.
trinidad and tobago:
Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
greece:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
greece:
Not applicable
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Greece | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 65 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 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 | Common, officers may issue fines directly |
Urban Areas: Standard
greece:
50 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
90 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
65 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
130 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
trinidad and tobago:
Common, officers may issue fines directly
Signals
| Greece | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Greece | Not used in Trinidad and Tobago |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary | Unnecessary use discouraged |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | English; 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
trinidad and tobago:
Not used in Trinidad and Tobago
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
trinidad and tobago:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Headlight Flash: Usage
greece:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
trinidad and tobago:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
trinidad and tobago:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
trinidad and tobago:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Greece | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs |
U- Turns Allowed
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
trinidad and tobago:
Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Greece | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
trinidad and tobago:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
greece:
International Driving Permit required
trinidad and tobago:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
greece:
Liability insurance mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
trinidad and tobago:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
trinidad and tobago:
Displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Greece | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use to communicate in traffic |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
greece:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
trinidad and tobago:
To warn of hazards
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
greece:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
trinidad and tobago:
Frequent use to communicate in traffic
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
greece:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
trinidad and tobago:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Greece | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police may set up roadblocks | Common |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
greece:
0.05%
trinidad and tobago:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
greece:
0.02%
trinidad and tobago:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
trinidad and tobago:
Common
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
trinidad and tobago:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Greece | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | 999 or use local police numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
greece:
112
trinidad and tobago:
999 or 911
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
trinidad and tobago:
999 or use local police numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
trinidad and tobago:
Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license | Varies; TT$ 500 and up, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €350, points on license | TT$ 1,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | TT$ 1,500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €350, points on license | TT$ 2,000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 10 days to pay | Varies; typically within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; TT$ 500 and up, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 2,000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
trinidad and tobago:
Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; typically within 15-30 days