Driving in Greece
Driving in Greece is not for the faint of heart. Apart from the logistics of converting your driving license or having to sit the test to be issued a new one, there's also the very real issue of reckless driving. Although the roads are quite good and the scenic views in more remote areas make for enjoyable driving, the way people drive in the cities and villages may come as a shock at first. To be safe, you will need to learn to drive defensively.
Generally, the logistics of driving in Greece are not that different from other countries. Like most non-British countries, driving is done on the right-hand side of the road. The minimum age to legally obtain a driver's license and drive a car is 18 years old (16 years old for AM-class vehicles), but most car-rental companies will ask that you are 21 of age and have had your license for at least one year already.
Traffic lights and pedestrian crossings in Greece
Like most other EU and non-EU countries, Greece has a three-tiered traffic light (Green, orange, red). You will also see pedestrian crossings with white stripes, with Green or red pedestrian lights. In addition to the lights, pedestrian crossings in busy areas in Athens have timers that give a countdown when pedestrians are crossing.
If you are driving and see a pedestrian/zebra crossing without lights, it is best to continue and drive without stopping. This might seem counterintuitive to what you are used to, but if you stop, you'll likely be bumped or honked at by the car behind, as Greek drivers have a nasty habit of not stopping at these crossings. Therefore, it is best to continue driving unless someone is crossing.
Roundabouts in Greece
You have driven before; do you think you know how to approach a roundabout? Forget everything when driving in Greece. Somewhat oddly, when you are on a roundabout in Greece, drivers approaching the roundabout have the right of way, not drivers using the roundabout, so this is something to keep in mind.
Speed limits in Greece
The speed limit for built-up and urban areas is 50km/h, whereas, on Greece's motorways, it is significantly more – 130km/h; although, on some roads and stretches of road, you will see signs saying 120km/h.
It is best to stick to speed limits, but if you do go slightly over, Greek Police are somewhat relaxed. Returning to Greece's motorways, they are great regarding the road surface and have many refuge areas and toilet stops.
The only issue is that these roads are maintained by using tolls. The good news is at the highest, you will have to pay 15.40 euros for the road from Lamia to Thessaloniki (and 20 euros for Komotini). In comparison, if you want to travel to the Peloponnese via Attiki Odos road, the cost is only 2.80 euros. See the rest of the toll prices in Greece.
Converting your driver's license in Greece
If your driver's license was issued in an EU country, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, then it's valid in Greece as long as you meet the Greek minimum driving age for your vehicle category. You'll only need to exchange it for a Greek one when it expires. If you're not an EU citizen, but your license was issued by Australia, Canada, Japan, South Africa, South Korea, or the USA, you are eligible to exchange it for a Greek one — and should do so after 185 days. Note that your citizenship or nationality does not matter; what matters is that the license is still valid and issued by one of the countries listed above.
Until you convert your license to a Greek one (or apply for a new one from scratch), you should carry an International Driver's Licence (IDL or IDP) along with your foreign one. The IDL is a multilingual, internationally recognized document that accompanies it and acts as an official certificate of validity although it does not replace your driver's license.
You can convert your driver's license to a Greek one at a Citizen Service Centre (KEP) or a Transport and Communications Department office. You will need the following documents:
- An application form
- A copy of your passport
- A valid driving license, translated and certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs — or a lawyer or the embassy/ consulate back in your home country. In any case, the Consul's signature must still be authenticated by the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which in some cases may need to have been apostilled.
- A copy of your Residence Permit in Greece issued at least 185 days before the application
- One passport-sized photo
- Proof, in the form of a receipt, that you have paid stamp duty at a Public Tax Office (DOY)
- A document from the license issuing authority (and a certified translation), stating all details of the license and its holder and confirming that the license is still valid.
- A health certificate issued by one of the GPs that are registered with the local Transport and Communications Department
- Proof of good eye-sight, issued by one of the ophthalmologists registered with the local Transport and Communications Department.
Once your Greek driving license is ready for collection, you will be informed by SMS or by telephone. Until then, your original driving license will be held by the Greek authorities.
Important:
As of November 2021, any visitors with valid driving licenses from the United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom and Gibraltar do not need to hold an international driving license to drive in Greece following a change in the law. Of course, if your driving license has been issued by any other country, then you should get an international driving license for Greece.
Types of driver's licenses in Greece
There are different types of licenses in Greece, based on the type of vehicle you wish to drive, and the age limit varies slightly for each:
- AM (mopeds with a design speed of over 25 Km/h and under 45 Km/h): 16 years
- A1 (motorcycles with a cylinder capacity not exceeding 125cc): 18 years
- A2: (motorcycles not exceeding 35 kW): 20 years
- B1 (four-wheeled light vehicles): 18 years
- B (cars), 18 years
- C1 (medium-sized vehicles) 18 years
Driving tests in Greece
Studying for your driver's license in Greece is not expensive, with many schools offering classes for as low as 350 euros. On the day of your test, be aware that you may be asked to pay a bribe of 200 euros. You should proceed with this at your discretion — while this has become a somewhat normalized practice in Greece, it isn't legal. Unfortunately, in some cases, it is impossible to pass without a bribe, even if your driving is flawless. So It is worth speaking to any friends you have who have taken a test in your area to ask what their experience was so you are better informed about the test.
The actual driving test in Greece consists of two parts: theory and practice. On the theory side, you have a multiple-choice theoretical test — it's picture based, so you'll only need a minimal knowledge of Greek to understand it. Once you've passed the theoretical test, you can take the practical one, which consists of actually driving. It is no less than 25 minutes for categories AM, A1, A2 B and BE, and 45 minutes for all other categories. Your instructor will be in the car with you, in addition to two examiners.
Tips for driving in Greece
- Be aware situationally of driving customs. Also, it is safe to say that aggression and impatience are characteristics of most Greek road users, so be wary of this.
- Follow the rules and regulations of the road. Wear a seatbelt, don't use your phone, and pay attention to traffic lights and road signs (even if you do not see other drivers follow them)!
- Be prepared for narrow roads, tight turns, and bends that are commonplace in rural areas, especially the islands. There are also steep inclines, so be prepared for these too.
- Use Public transport in the cities. You will see driving in Athens is often gridlocked with traffic, and there is a considerable lack of roadside parking. What's more, finding parking can be extremely hard to find. Both Athens and Thessaloniki are perfectly walkable cities and are also well connected with public transport in the form of the metro, buses, etc.; these are good options so you do not have to stress about traffic or parking.
- Driving on the Islands is a “different ball game”. The roads in some islands can be very narrow and winding, along with tight turns. Even some road surfaces might be gravel-like, as the infrastructure is not as well developed in places. Plus - watch out for livestock, as some farmers have pastures very close to roads, and it is typical for goats and sheep to wander.
What is the driving culture in Greece?
This does not apply to all Greek drivers, but a proportion is aggressive and impatient. You will often experience while waiting in traffic the sensation of other drivers honking their horns if the car in front is slow to pull away from the traffic lights. They will frequently use the horn to exert their presence on the road. Cars often tailgate and sometimes weave erratically through traffic – however, this is more common with moped or motorbike drivers who try to make their way through traffic as quickly as possible.
Many of these moped drivers in Athens are delivery drivers or couriers (with a box on the back). It is best to focus on the road and give them space where possible. Be warned that they will likely pass you when you are stopped in front of traffic lights.
That being said, Greek drivers are confident and skilled, which is illustrated by their amazing knack for always managing parallel in the most tricky spaces! Overall, you can drive in Greece as a foreigner, but you need to be confident and drive with caution when necessary.
Useful link:
Ministry of Transport -- driver's license documents (in Greek)
