The majority of the cars in Greece are new and well maintained thanks to a series of laws that gave people incentives to replace their old vehicles with new, more energy efficient ones. Wearing seat belts is mandatory and at times police 'blocks' are set-up to enforce the rule. Road signs are easy to understand since they contain no text and most resemble European signs. You can go to your local AAA office, and the whole process takes about 10-15 minutes, or you can obtain your permit by mail. All you need is your valid US Drivers License, the completed application, two passport size photos (often taken on the spot at the AAA office), and you must be over 18 years old. You can obtain an International Driving Permit from your local AAA for $10, or from ATAA. The International Driving Permit is an official translation of your valid driver's license into 10 different languages, and they are valid for one year from the date issued. Driver's LicenseĪ European Union drivers license, or a USA drivers license is valid in Greece, and it should be accompanied by an International Drivers Permit. A good practice is to turn the blinker on early, then extend your arm out of the window pointing to the left for at least 600 feet. Chances are good that whoever follows behind you at double your speed is busy lighting a cigarette or fiddling with his stereo all while he is calculating the physics of passing you on the left without hitting the oncoming traffic and analyzing his trajectory to allow his wheels to avoid the two pot holes on the street. There is no avoiding this maneuver on Greek roads especially if you are stuck behind a slow moving tractor trailer on a long uphill for the last 24 minutes.Īnother dangerous maneuver in Greece is the dreaded left turn on any road. Be extra careful when you pass slower vehicles and have to cross over to the opposite direction lane. The most dangerous roads are the one lane roads which connect large cities and host large tractor trailers, small cars, older cars, and even smaller motorcycles, all driving at wide ranges of speed. Greece has a very high accident rate compared to other European countries and much caution is advised.
If you are traveling with small children make frequent stops and allow extra time to get to your destination.ĭriving in Greece is not to be taken lightly. Greece is a mountainous country and driving can yield spectacular views, but also it can be a cause for motion sickness. To navigate to the most spectacular and remote locations you might have to negotiate through very narrow roads that might turn into gravel for large stretches of the trip often doubling the estimated time of arrival you calculated looking at the little red line on a map. The roads in Greece vary in their quality and state of repair, with all major cities being connected by nice wide, multi-lane highways, and smaller cities being served by the narrow variety.
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