Driving Differences: Greece vs United Kingdom Explained
Embarking on a journey through Greece or the United Kingdom? Understanding the nuances of road regulations is essential for a secure experience. Key distinctions include driving on the right in Greece versus the left in the UK, varied speed limits, and unique signaling practices. Stay informed to navigate safely and confidently in these diverse environments.
Lanes
| Greece | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| 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. |
Driving Side
greece:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
greece:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
greece:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
greece:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
greece:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
greece:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
greece:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
greece:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
greece:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
greece:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
greece:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
greece:
Not applicable
united kingdom:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
greece:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Greece | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| 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 | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
greece:
50 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
greece:
30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
greece:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
130 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
greece:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
greece:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
greece:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Greece | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Greece | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| 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-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
greece:
Not used in Greece
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
greece:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
united kingdom:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Greece | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
greece:
Not allowed
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
greece:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
greece:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Greece | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
greece:
International Driving Permit required
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
greece:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Greece | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
greece:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Greece | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police may set up roadblocks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial fines apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
greece:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
united kingdom:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Greece | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
greece:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
greece:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Greece | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
greece:
112
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
greece:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €350, points on license | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €350, points on license | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 10 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay