How to drive in Greece?

Basic rules of the roads and driving requirements.

GENERAL TIPS AND ROAD INFORMATION

Traffic travels on the right. The middle lane of a three lane highway is for passing.
Greece has the highest accident-rate in Europe, in terms of the number of collisions per vehicle and red traffic lights are consistently ignored. Tourists are advised to ignore the often used car horn.
Try to avoid Athens rush hour traffic, where there is also a pollution control, alternating vehicles depending on the whether the license plate is odd or even.

MOTORWAYS

There are highways in Greece, linking Athens to Thesaloniki, Athens to Patras and to other roads, and are paved two lane highways. Since Greece is mainly a mountainous country, the roads are winding requires cautious driving.

RIGHT OF WAY

Vehicles approaching an intersection on the right have the right of way.

PARKING

In the major cities of Greece, on-street parking is virtually non-existent. You are advised to use parking lots or hotel parking as illegal parking can cost you your license plate.

FUEL

Most gas stations are open from 7am to 7pm.  Some stations accept credit cards. Lead-free is widely available. Regular unleaded petrol has an octane rating of 91 or 92; the octane rating of super is 96 or 98. Unleaded petrol is called amoliwdi wensina. Unleaded super petrol has an octane rating of 95. Diesel private cars are not allowed in Greece because diesel destroys the ancient monuments. Foreign cars are currently exempt from this rule however.

ROAD SIGNS

Road signs are easy to understand since they contain no text and most resemble European signs.

SPEED LIMITS

Speed limits in Greece are measured in KPH (Kilometres per Hour). Check the road signs as speeds can vary greatly.
Expressways 120 kph
Urban roads 110 kph
Divided Highways 120 kph
Suburbs 50 kph

TOLLS

There are two toll highways in Greece, one from Athens to Peloponnesus and the other from Athens to Thessaloniki. The rate is based on travel distance.

DRIVING REQUIREMENTS

The minimum age to drive in Greece is 17.

DRIVER'S LICENSE

International Drivers License and European Union driver's licenses, are valid in Greece. You must be at least 21 years old to rent a car (age may vary by car category) and have held your license for 1 year.

INSURANCE

Fire and third party liability insurance is mandatory and is included in all auto rentals.

SEAT BELTS

Seat belts are mandatory in front seats.

CHILDREN

The minimum age for a child in the front seat is 10 years old.

MOTORCYCLES

Motorcycle riders must wear a helmet and obey the lower speed limits.
Expressways 90 kph
Urban roads 70 kph
Divided highways 90 kph
Suburbs 70 kph
Restricted areas 40 kph

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Police 100
Fire Service 199
Ambulance (Athens) 166
Emergencies 112

Sources: DrivingAbroad / About.com / GreekLandscapes.com / The Ellada Site / Autoeurope / Hellas Guide  / Wonderfull Greece