Driving in Greece vs. Turkey: Key Differences Explained
When traversing the roads of Greece and Turkey, drivers must navigate distinct regulations and practices that impact safety and legal compliance. Key variations include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol limits, which can significantly influence your travel experience. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure journey while exploring these vibrant countries.
Lanes
| Greece | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
| 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. |
Overtaking: On Right
greece:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Markings
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
greece:
Not applicable
turkey:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
greece:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Greece | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 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, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
130 km/h
turkey:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
greece:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| Greece | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Greece | Not commonly used in Turkey |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary | Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Turkish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
greece:
Not used in Greece
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| Greece | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
greece:
Not allowed
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Greece | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
greece:
International Driving Permit required
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Road Etiquette
| Greece | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
greece:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Greece | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police may set up roadblocks | Common; checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
greece:
0.02%
turkey:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
turkey:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Greece | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €350, points on license | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €350, points on license | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 10 days to pay | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
greece:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges