required to carry: Items your vehicle Also bear in mind that breaking those laws can have harsh consequences that may include hundreds of euros in fines and potentially losing your driving privileges for 10 days to as long as six months. 01/07/12 motorists in France will have to carry a portable Information believed to be accurate at time In many cases those limits are over-ruled and lower limits are imposed by speed signs. Most accidents involving tourists are bumps and scrapes though there are fatalities. The same is the case with a pedestrian. The days and times and directions vary but correspond to working and shopping hours so you may want to familiarize yourself with them. Expect the unexpected. direction To get brief but 01/07/12, see below), Warning While they help reduce the speed of vehicles coming to the junction, they provide better traffic flow and eliminate expensive light-signaling systems.But who has priority in a roundabout? by the previous renter and not caught by the rental agency. In the UK, when approaching a roundabout you stop and give way to traffic on the roundabout. U.S. license as well as an International Driving Permit. Average price (as of August 2018) is 1.60euros per liter, for 95 RON unleaded. Do not merge lanes until you exit the circle. Globally, the rule is that priority is given to the one who moves within the roundabout. The double lines in the middle of the road mean no-passing just like at home but don't be surprised to see someone else passing in fact they may be coming right towards you. In many roundabouts there are STOP signs or Give Way signs (Inverted yellow triangle with red outline) for vehicles approaching to enter the roundabout. One to watch out for. legal requirement in some countries, including Albania, 2. Running a red light or ignoring a stop sign is 700 euros. breathalyser (in France w.e.f. Therefore, Article 26, which refers generally to junctions, applies. A motorcycle with a fuel range of 150 kilometers will get you anywhere in Greece. Traffic circles and roundabouts function as an intersection, keeping circulation flowing without the use of traffic lights. Enjoyed your writing very much, I think it is helpful to stress on differences between driving in the UK and Greece, it can save lives. relevant legislation. An IDP cannot be issued more than six months in advance of your travel dates, but try to allow at least six weeks for processing if possible. Always inform lane changes using our indicators. information relates primarily to private cars; the laws, FYROMacedonia / take you For example if you get a car and the air-conditioning does not work, call the agency and tell them you want a new car delivered right away. for the car next to you to move so you can open the door and get in. 0.08% limit in the UK. have special requirements re tyres. Documents traffic. 2) There are lanes but these can get blurred in certain places so keep your eyes on the car in front of you. It is however your responsibility to report the problem right away. a donation through Paypal or Venmo. detectors / Safety camera (speed camera) detectors. Watch out for them especially on the islands where tourists who have never driven a motorbike in their lives are doing so now and are possibly drunk too. Relax and enjoy your holidays. But they do happen. By the book, motorcycles may filter traffic only when all car vehicles are at halt. If your driving These points and more are mentioned in an article I wrote years ago published in a UK magazine, here is the link from my site in case you need it. The driver following you may not expect you to stop. Have your right signal on. In paragraphs 4 and 5 concerning the priority it states: at junctions the priority shall be defined by appropriate signage. Thats wrong of course and we do not suggest you do the same. identity, such as a passport. 5) Watch out for people opening their doors without looking while parked or double parked. Drive on the right (the driver should be sat towards the center of the road). The U.S. Department of It means the driver. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. If you can stay in Athens and leave when everyone is returning then do that. Talking on a mobile phone without a hands-free kit is 100 euros. At the junctions without such signage the priority belongs to the one who comes from the right. However, this means that priority is given to the person who enters the roundabout. European 6) The furthest beach is not necessarily the best one. The car behind simply does not expect you to stop. This must sound really confusing to British drivers so my advice is just drive slowly and with much caution it is much better to be shouted at for driving too slowly in unfamiliar territory than never getting there. Whenever a stationary speed trap is put on location, there is a warning sign alerting drivers a few hundred meters earlier. Driving in Athens can be challenging at first but once you get out of the city you should be fine as long as you PAY ATTENTION. in the event of an accident. 2 1) Flashed head lights, long or short means the driver is coming through. Follow the universal guidelines for good drivingstay alert, slow down and keep distractions to a minimumand youll do just fine. If you are renting a car be sure you have a 24-hour line or cell phone number for the rental company so you can contact them in an emergency or hassle them if the car is a piece of junk. What should we do when arriving at a roundabout? They are mostly bilingual : Greek and English. Look for road signs. phone (for voice or text) while driving is illegal in most 3) The vehicles, unlike in the . comply with Do not enter a roundabout from the right lane if you want to turn left. How is riding in Greece, you might ask. Just assume that nobody but you knows how to drive and you have to make up for their lack of ability by driving more defensively. the In other words, it goes against the logic that priority should be given to the vehicle that moves in the roundabout. proof that your brigade, police and the coast guard (I guess in case you fall into the sea). 3) The vehicles, unlike in the UK, who enter one of the very few roundabouts in Greece have the right of way. 18. Going Straight : If you are driving straight through the roundabout, enter from the left or right lane. you. Faris Nejad (author of The Curse of the Ancient Greeks which you kindly advertised on your site). Driving a car on a ferry can be a little intimidating at first because usually you have to back in and follow instructions in Greek that will enable you to squeeze your car into a space you never would have thought possible. 5) For some reason most beautiful sceneries are at dangerous corners. . They have been used for many decades around the world. Obey traffic signs. Herzegovina, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Motorbiking safety guidelines are the same no matter what country you ride in and our best advice is ride as if you are invisible, as if noone sees you and be prepared for the unexpected, always. Join Matt Barrett's Greece Travel Guides Group on Facebook for comments, photos and other fun stuff. are involved in an accident abroad, (you may want to click Therefore, Article 26, which refers generally to junctions, applies. This makes sense as this avoids any traffic congestion within the junction. So if you are in a round about watch out for incoming traffic into the round about, they expect you to stop and let them get in. What does the Greek Highway Code say? Serbia (. , . Many fatalities occur late at night when speed, alcohol and youth are This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Because of severe traffic congestion in specific areas of Athens and other large cities, car access may be restricted at times based on vehicles license plate numbers. Maybe its just a Cretan custom; but I dont think so. 2) Hazards lights do not mean that the vehicle is standing or is in an emergency parking position. 3. in the back seat. In real life, filtering is done by all greek motorcyclists no matter what the conditions are and car drivers are used to this, so most often they keep their eyes on their mirrors for motorcycles that are passing by. Ask about air-bags too. And if you have planned an extended trip to Greece and stay for more than six months, you'll need to follow the steps to convert your U.S. license to a Greek license in order to drive while you're abroad. specific information for Greece and countries on route: What to do if you small car which Even if they do arguing A motorcycle with a fuel range of 150 kilometers will get you anywhere in Greece. Pedestrian crossings (zebra lines): officially traffic rules dictate that pedestrians always have priority, like in every other country. Riding/driving is on the right side of the road. Not wearing a helmet on a motorbike is a fine of 350 euros. who hold valid U.S. driver's licenses: AAA and the American Automobile Touring Using a mobile If your itinerary has you island-hopping, its typically easier and cheaper to rent a car on the island than to take a rental car from the mainland on the ferry. Over the years the highways in Crete have been upgraded substantially, but there are still long stretches of highway that are not dual carriageway, and are only one lane in each direction, plus the shoulder. If you are appreciative of all the free information you get on my websites you can alsosend Compared to its European neighbors, Greece has one of the highest rates of vehicle-related fatalities, putting you at some risk even during a short visit. Slow down. is required to carry: on General Roundabout Rules. It is this. 7. It means the driver is going to do something unexpected and at the end, when s/he is finished the car will stop, somewhere, it could be on the right it could be on the left, it could even be in the middle. Some countries, e.g. Drivers who run lights are a danger and collisions between pedestrians and motorbikes are as legitimate but drivers must be able to produce Greek Tourism Organization registration: MH.T.E. some countries, Driving under the influence depends on how you score on the breathalyser and can be from 200 to 1200 euros. In my experience people actually follow that along with all other rules (unlike popular belief) since the police and driving rules have become stricter in the last 15 years or so. 6. PICK YOUR LANE & STAY IN IT! But on the mainland or the larger islands send a little extra and get a bigger, safer car. kits are expected to be available at Channel ports: Radar an IDP to drive within the EU. in. Stationary and mobile (hand held). Keep in mind that demonstrations can have an undesirable effect on your plans to travel in and out of Athens. If you study my 27 Simple Rules of Survival on the Greek Roads you will know what to watch out for. 1. Roundaboutssometimes called traffic circlesare a common feature on European roads, and Greece is no exception. 15) If you plan to do daytrips by car while staying in Athens each night try to find a hotel with parking or ask the hotel where the closest parking garage is. Some good points in there and also very amusing. However, one significant difference with roundabouts in Greece is that traffic already within the circle is expected to yield to vehicles waiting to enter it. Approach in the left lane and signal left on approach. Even if it is not serious and does not require a new car think about the person who will get it next. If you love to drive you will love driving in Greece. They are very common throughout the countryside. route map free from: How Some Greek drivers do not like to be told what to do and they see the double white center line as a challenge to them to cross it and assert their individuality. Roundabouts began to spring up everywhere in Greece in the last decade. Drivers moving through a roundabout should be particularly careful and observe if at the entrances of the junction there are (octagonal) STOP signs or triangles that give priority. Recognise the Roundabout Sign Some Greek drivers often speed up when they see the yellow light, so be alert! the back of your car, unless your car has 'Euro-plates'. Enter the roundabout when there is a safe gap in traffic. Here is a detailed guide on how to drive around a roundabout in the UAE. 23) The cheapest cars are generally the most dangerous. There is no official regulation that requires riders in Greece to wear high visibility items. Watch out for people parked in unbelievably stupid places like when you come around a mountain bend and someone is relieving himself or taking a picture of his girlfriend while his car is parked halfway in the road. 4. In Greece, the Highway Code has no particular reference to roundabouts. European countries, including Greece, have a limit of For Italy see IDP (next). DON'T speed through a roundabout! between the UK and Greece. Usually when I leave the city for the first time my wife watches for street signs and my mother-in-law is forbidden to speak until we have reached the National Road or the Hymettos Ring Road. 20) To rent a car in Greece you only need a valid license from your home country. is still the It means you should slow down and it means you should definitely not decide at the last instant not to go through. Often, in this situation, they will overtake you then brake furiously and turn right or left a few metres down the road. Abs - Airbag - Brake - Child restraints - Dashboard lights - Distance - Driving license - Emotions - Esp - Fuel - Lights - Motorway - Overtaking - Parking - Reversing - Roadmarks - Roundabout - Scanning - Seatbelt - Shifting . Higher octane fuel - usually at 98 or 99 RON - is available at most gas stations in cities. services. If using a UK cell in EU nations, it At the junctions without such signage the priority belongs to the one who . and professional drivers. Note: When I would rent a small car like a Hyundai Atos I would have more close calls then when I drove a Suzuki Grand Vitara which is a small SUV. Right Lane - pick the right lane . motorcyclists Average price (as of August 2018) is 1.60 euros per liter, for 95 RON unleaded. Make your decision early. Some drivers are reluctant to maneuver in roundabouts as they may seem . Failure to report these issues may result in you being held liable for them when you return the car. That does not mean that you should race through yellow lights to avoid being rear-ended. 21) Fines are strict for breaking traffic laws in Greece. Many of your fellow drivers rather than go through the inconvenience of taking the test or risk failing it simply bribed the people administering it. 9) Leaving Athens by car on the Friday before a holiday weekend and returning after a holiday weekend is a nightmare, no matter where you are going. Stay in your lane as you enter the roundabout (look at the road markings). Have you found it entertaining as well as useful? They monitor and capture from the front (face). The important thing here is to follow all the usual rules - yield to the right, don't change lanes without observing and making sure it's clear, and indicate properly. 10) If you have never driven in mountains before you may want to practice using your gears to downshift and reduce your speed instead of using your brakes and then not having any when you need to actually stop. Getting off is easier but often you have If you stop because at the far end of a zebra crossing someone puts their foot on the asphalt, the car behind you will crash into you. You need to consider where you are going and then pick the correct lane. It is titled : Getting killed on the road can ruin your entire holiday.. Tollcosts for motorcycles range from 1.2 to is 1.5euros per toll (last update: August 2016). However, driving in Greece can be a very different experience from driving in many other countriesespecially the U.S.so its important to know what to expect before you arrive. 24) In case I have discouraged you from driving and have decided to walk everywhere keep in mind that Greece also has one of the highest number of pedestrian deaths in the European Union. requirements may differ for motorcycles, commercial The When selecting your vehicle, it can be tempting to reserve the cheapest model available, but keep in mind that lower-priced rentals may not be as safe as costlier cars. There is probably something I have forgotten so you can e-mail me if you think of it: matt@greecetravel.com. Sadly, credit cards are not accepted yet. because the rule does not apply to them. A good rule is to not park on the street between the Athens Polytechnic University and the American Embassy on November 17th. *The (general) rule in Greece is to give way to traffic from the right. is a rough guide to the requirements that apply to many Cars parked on the route of protest marches sometimes get smashed, especially if they have foreign plates and particularly American plates. Learn about the driving rules and tips in Greece to avoid trouble with the local authorities. How should a driver behave at such a junction? Car Hire Corfu; Cars. 4) This is a very difficult one but it is important. give way to traffic on the roundabout, In While Greek drivers follow most of the same driving laws as drivers in the U.S. and the rest of Europe, there are a few nuances specific to Greece that you should be aware of before you get behind the wheel. When practicing for our driver's license test in Greece we are taught that whoever is in a roundabout HAS to yield to whoever is entering the roundabout unless a STOP sign says otherwise. But one item that I always stress is not included in your piece. Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists. driving licence*. In the summer when rental cars go out as fast as they come in a problem may not be reported phone, dialling 999 should get you through to the local A legal one anyway. What does the Greek Highway Code say? countries and will apply to at least one country you will This Multi-lane roadways and expressways are relatively rare in Greece, with most roads consisting of one lane in each direction divided by double white lines. Driving in Athens is different. trailer), Fire extinguisher The one thing you haven't mentioned is that Greeks cannot stand being behind another vehicle if they think you are not breaking the speed limit by a sufficient amount. Kavos Boutique Hotel Naxos Naxos Hotel Review 2021, Finding the Best Hotels in Mykonos: Our 20 Recommendations, 5 Days in Greece: 4 Great Itinerary Options For You, The Best Restaurants in Crete: Our Top 10 Picks, One Day in Santorini: Amazing Things To Do and What To See, Visiting Greece In Winter: A Comprehensive Look For 2020. (generally) the equivalent of one small beer and is lower Most are in the Syntagma Square area but they often march somewhere. But that should not be your problem. In Austria the old style UK licence without a photograph Follow the left lane when you exit the roundabout. Many thanks for your good work, keep it up. 8) There are certain days and times when traffic is terrible, beyond belief. rules and There is especially a lack of lane discipline at night. through any of these countries: Albania / Bulgaria / European all countries on the route(s) on-the-spot fines apply for by police. Kids under 18 years old are not allowed to drive. Use the left lane to turn left or go straight, and the right lane to turn right or go straight. You aren't supposed to be changing lanes within the roundabout circle. Not using a seatbelt in a car or wearing a helmet on a motorbike is a fine of 350 euros. Drive close to the central island. Wearing of You may see fluctuations of this price, with lows at 1.59+ and highs at 1.69+ euros/ liter. Get the best deal! European vehicles, etc. Follow these directions for proper and safe navigation around a roundabout in the UAE: 1. Greece, when on a roundabout you are required to If we have priority, we enter the roundabout after checking if the traffic has moved off in front of us. Keep your speed low within the roundabout. They do have excellent reflexes which gets them out of trouble as fast as they get into it, probably having something to do with a diet rich in cafeine and nicotine. licence was issued by a non-EU state, e.g. This is 2. areas unless otherwise posted. What you should know about them though, is that unexpectedly, those entering the roundabout have right of way and not the ones already in them. Modern roundabouts are designed to be safer than traditional intersections for people walking or using mobility assistance devices. Roundabouts began to spring up everywhere in Greece in the last decade. Alliance. T.(+30) 2661026511 T.(+30) 2661044325. Rental cars are not subject to these restrictions, but drive with extra caution in these areas and watch closely for pedestrians. When it comes to driving in Greece roundabouts, determining who has the right of way is much trickier. curbs and sidewalks so pedestrians For visitors to Greece, dial 112, for all sorts of emergencies (similar to 911 in the US). & Central Northwest Greece, South America Expedition, part 6: Tiera del Fuego, The Peloponnese is Best Destination in Europe 2016, Riding in Greece general rules and advice. Get a These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The following limits apply, if not otherwise shown by signs: There are 2 types of speed traps used in Greece. While single lane roundabouts are easy to navigate, we understand that multilane roundabouts may be confusing. But, you must keep in mind that in the unfortunate event of a collision during filtering, insurance companies will not cover you and also a court will most probably justify the driver of the car, no matter the conditions of the collision. Loved your piece on driving in Greece. Hardly anyone in Greece pays attention to a pedestrian stepping into a zebra crossing. is recognised Cold air comes out or it doesn't. are forced to walk in streets. State has authorized two organizations to issue international permits to those When driving on the National Road and in 1) You must always keep in mind that you may be the only person on the road who actually took and passed a road test. Give the vehicle a thorough inspection and document any dents, scratches or other damage as well as defective components like air conditioning or power windows before you leave the rental agency. 0206E82000521401, Pick-ups and Drop-offs : For confirmed bookings, all week long, Monday-Sunday 09:00 20:30, Office hours: Temporarily, we dont have fixed opening hours. A compass is not a bad idea either. Items Using or The international 3-color traffic light system is applied in Greece. owners are advised to update their software as this should South In practice, this is no more than a large glass beer for men, and a bit less for women. triangle(s) (Croatia: 2 triangles are required for 18) Gas stations are common but be aware that in many cases they don't accept credit Lets start. With the cost of ferry tickets now it is more economical too. 3) If you decide to stop when the light turns orange be aware that the guy behind you may have already decided he is going to go through it and brace yourself. But who has priority in a roundabout? Surprisingly, this blood alcohol content is lower than the UK (except Scotland), Canada and some US States. So car drivers usually pay attention to us. Running a red light or ignoring a stop sign is 700 euros. the countryside remember the advice of George the Famous Taxi Driver: Keep to the right. This Exit directly from that lane when you get to the exit. In Greece, when on a roundabout you are required to stop and give way to traffic entering the roundabout (from the right). Failure to obtain a Greek license even if you are there temporarily can result in stiff penalties.
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