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Greece

Driving in Athens has improved a little in recent years with te introduction of the new Metro system although the city probably remains one of the heaviest trafficked in Europe. Once out in the countryside or on the fabulous Greek Islands the situation could not be more different. Probably the greatest danger is that the driver will not be able to take his eyes of the beauties of the passing countryside.

Driving on the right hand side of the road may be a new experience for some visitors as may well be the use of kilometres to measure distance - one good thing about using a rental car is that it will be adapted to local conditions with the steering on the left hand side and the speedometer marked in kilometres per hour.

The availability of rentals cars is very good throughout Greece and there is usually no problem in arranging for a hire car to be left at a different location from where it was originally rented.

Drivers must be aged 18 years or over to legally drive in Greece even though they may hold a licence issued in another country.

The speed limits in Greece are:

On Motorways the limit is 120 kilometres per hour. This equates to 74 miles per hour.

On other roads not showing any lower restriction the limit is 90 kilometres per hour, that's 55 miles per hour. In towns the limit is 50 kilometres per hour, or 31 miles per hour.

Drivers face severe penalties if found driving with more than 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. This is lower than the limit in Britain which is 80mg per 100ml.

The wearing of seat belts is recommended. Children under 10 are forbidden to travel in the front seat without a child restraint.

All vehicles must carry a fire extinguisher, first aid kit and a warning triangle. Check that your vehicle has these fitted before you leave the hire depot.

When using a hire car it is best to check beforehand that the vehicle isd insured for use on unmade roads or the beach.

Disclaimer

These notes are intended only to draw attention to some of the rules and regulations that apply to driving in Greece. They are not an exhaustive or complete set of regulations and may be superseded by changes in the law at any time. The publishers can accept no responsibility for any problem that may arise because drivers have failed to satisfy all the relevant legislation in any country in which they may use a vehicle hired through this site. It remains the responsibility of the driver to satisfy himself or herself that they are aware of all the relevant legislation that affects their conduct and the driving of vehicles in any country in which they may find themselves.

Click on a location for car hire options:

Agios Nikolaos	Alexandroupolis	Athens	Chalkida
Chalkidiki	Chania	Chersonissos	Chios
Corfu	Eretria	Heraklion	Hersonissos
Igoumenitsa	Ioannina	Kalamata	Karpathos
Kavala	Kefalonia	Kifisia	Kos
Larissa	Lefkada	Lefkas	Lesvos
Loutraki	Molyvos	Myconos	Mytilini
Parga	Paros	Patras	Piraeus
Preveza	Pythagorio	Rethymnon	Rhodes
Salonica	Samos	Santorini	Skiathos
Skopelos	Syros	Thassos	Thessaloniki
Volos	Zakynthos