Driving Differences: Greece vs. Vanuatu Explained
When comparing the driving regulations of Greece and Vanuatu, notable distinctions emerge. Greece features dedicated bus and cycle lanes, higher speed limits, and stringent enforcement measures, while Vanuatu adheres to more relaxed norms and lower urban speeds. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a safe and informed journey in either locale.
Lanes
| Greece | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Bicycles generally share the road with cars. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
Bus Lanes: Presence
greece:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
greece:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
greece:
Exclusive for bicycles.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
greece:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
greece:
Not applicable
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| Greece | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
greece:
50 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
90 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
greece:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
130 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
greece:
100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
greece:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Greece | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Greece | Not used in Vanuatu |
| 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 | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
greece:
Not used in Greece
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
vanuatu:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
vanuatu:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
vanuatu:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Greece | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
greece:
Not allowed
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| Greece | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended but 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
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
greece:
International Driving Permit required
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
greece:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
greece:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Greece | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull to the side and stop, if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
greece:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| Greece | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police may set up roadblocks | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: Underage Drivers
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Emergency Services
| Greece | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
greece:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €350, points on license | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €350, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Possible; or through police stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 10 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
vanuatu:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay