Athens is a city where people should depend on the public transportation network of express and local buses, trams, metro, electric railways and trolleys — if there are yellow ones still being used, you must experience the jerking sardine effect! It’s cheap, relatively reliable unless there’s a strike or riot and saves you the stress of mapping, navigating and being lost in the labyrinth of one-way sometimes mountainous streets amongst the EU’s most dangerous drivers.

If you must drive, be aware of restrictions imposed on driving into the center of Athens in which the last digit of the license plate number correspond to odd and even days of the calendar you’re allowed to enter, except on Sundays and the month of August when the restriction is lifted. A stiff fine applies if you’re caught at any of several checkpoints around the city. Police know the backroads and shortcuts also, in case you think you’re clever. See the current list of fines by clicking, “Fines for parking and moving violations in Greece.”

Visitors to Greece

Visitors and temporary residents of Greece who plan to drive should secure the necessary documents to avoid being denied car rental or fined/detained by police.

EU citizens: If you’re an EU citizen, the license from your home country is perfectly fine as long as it hasn’t expired.

Americans: If you have a valid American license, an International Driving Permit (IDP) from one of two issuing authorities in Canada and the USA — AAA or AATA — is necessary and must be secured before leaving home by downloading the online form and submitting it in person or by mail. An IDP is not an international driver’s license; it is essentially a translation of your normal license, which is the reason it requires no tests, is only good while you’re a tourist and costs a mere $10.

Be aware that there are fraudulent and fake ads regarding similar types of IDPs from places other than AAA or AATA, and the Greek Automobile Association (ELPA) is not authorized to issue IDPs.

Car rental agencies should ask for both a valid unexpired driver’s license and an IDP before renting scooters or vehicles; those who do not are bending the law.

Canadians: If are a Canadian citizen visiting Greece, the Embassy recommends securing an IDP. Click here to view eligibility requirements and download the application.

Other non-EU citizens: Check with your embassy before leaving home.

Non-Greek residents of Greece

Driving and purchasing a scooter, motorcycle or vehicle in Greece carry rules different than if you are a tourist or temporary resident.

EU citizens: If you’re an EU citizen, the license from your home country is perfectly fine as long as it hasn’t expired. You can also convert it, however there are no additional benefits. See, “Converting to a Greek driver’s license.”

American citizens: If you are an American living in Greece, you have the option of swapping for a Greek driver’s license without completing hours of theory classes and a driving test, however there is no official documentation that says it is compulsory and many drive on their U.S. license as long as it’s valid without trouble from Greek authorities.

Should you purchase a vehicle in Greece, you are required to present a Greek driver’s license. If you somehow slip through the cracks or purchase a vehicle from a private party, a Greek driver’s license will be requested when you register your vehicle. If you have plans to do this, see “Converting to a Greek driver’s license.”

Operation or purchase of a scooter (depending on CCs) or motorcycle requires you have the appropriate class license. Using your car/vehicle driver’s license is technically not legal, and police will assess a penalty or detain you if caught.

Other non-EU citizens: If you are a citizen from Australia, Japan, South Africa and South Korea now living in Greece, you also have the option to swap for a Greek driver’s license. See “Converting to a Greek driver’s license.”

Should your country not be listed above, you must acquire a Greek driver’s license the normal way by signing up and paying for theory classes at a driving school, take hours of practical driving lessons, then pass a test.

Greek citizens/dual Greek citizens

If you have Greek citizenship and are looking to secure a Greek driver’s license for the first time, it involves hours of theory classes and driving lessons that cost more than 1000 euros…unless of course, you have connections and money to pay someone for one instead. See, “How to get a driver’s license as a Greek citizen” for more details.

Should you be a dual Greek citizen with a country listed above, you could technically convert the license from your homeland to a Greek license. However, if you plan to be here for many years, it is expected that you gain a driver’s license the normal way. Many Greek-American citizens I know choose not to convert to a Greek driver’s license, simply because their American one is still useful to them when driving in the USA and serves as another form of ID. I know no one who has been reprimanded by Greek police for driving with an American driver’s license. (However, if you have or know someone who has, please post a comment).

Important note

All EU member states have different rules and regulations regarding driver’s licenses. It is wrong to assume that somewhere else is the same as Greece. See “How to get EU citizenship, passports, driver’s licenses, visas, permits…” for more details.

Rules of the road

1. Wear your seat belt, you’ll need it and it is the law

2. Obey signs

3. Lines on the road are purely a guideline

4. Pedestrians are supposed to have right-of-way, but you’ll be cursed if you follow this

5. Don’t let other drivers intimidate you (not really a rule, but more advice)

Gas Stations

* Gas stations are usually closed by sundown and on Sundays
* Price is by the liter and not the gallon (of course) and very expensive
* All are usually full service and you are not required to tip

For related stories, see “Greek driver’s license.”

Article updated March 12, 2008
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Photo from the Associated Press, 2004

An 18-year-old girl was killed after being struck by a driver that failed to stop, as she was crossing the street in a clearly marked pedestrian walk.

Protesters are calling for authorities to boost awareness about road safety and install traffic lights because “cars do not always stop when they should.”

Anyone who has ever lived or visited urban areas of Greece is probably thinking, “well, no duh.”

Many a times I’ve crossed a street with the pedestrian light showing green, and I was hit by a car anyway. Instead of the driver apologizing and inquiring if I was OK, he only got out of the car to swear at me for being a stupid immigrant/tourist and not looking where I’m going, while I’m laying on the ground with my things strewn about. As I’m collecting myself, he swears some more that I’m slow and holding up his busy day. I probably yelled back a few times, but now I say nothing. You can’t reason or argue with someone who doesn’t and never will have the capacity to understand.

So correct me if I’m wrong, but how is road safety awareness and more traffic lights going to change the mentality and habits of people who refuse to acknowledge personality responsibility? It may pacify some people in the short term, but in the long term it solves nothing.

The majority of people talking on their cell phones, flicking cigarettes out the window and throwing garbage on the street aren’t going to suddenly wake up and say, “oh shit, I’m an idiot.” People who worship Greece because “it’s very free here” are going to continue blaming others — the government, the municipality, the traffic light, the dog, their parents, the Turks, the car in front of them, the weather and God almighty.

I acknowledge that the government isn’t the greatest, no government is. But last I checked, the individual is responsible for himself. He can make a decision to change at every moment of every day. He has the power to respect himself, and without respect for himself, there is no respect for his country, fellow man or life itself.

I keep hearing Greece is the birthplace of western civilization. Well, I’m afraid I’ll need to see some proof.

Related posts

“Walking in the Big A“
“Tickets and fines in Greece“
“The first time I drove in Athens“

Driver’s licenses from all 27 member states in the EU carry the same rights and standing as Greek driver’s licenses. Certain non-EU citizens are also permitted to convert their license. There is no need to make a swap, however you do have the option.

For EU citizens:

Conversion requires:

1. Your license is valid at the time of application;

2. You do not already hold a Greek license or a license from another EU member state (if you do, they must be handed over and/or fused if in different classes, i.e. motorcycle, heavy truck);

3. A photocopy of your license (not certified)

4. An official translation of your license from the Foreign Ministry at 10 Arionos, Monastiraki (free, if you wait 1 week) or from a lawyer (for a fee). The Foreign Ministry is open 8:30-13:00;

5. The physical driver’s license;

6. A photocopy of your residence permit, which should have been issued at least 185 days (or more) prior to the date of application OR a photocopy of a document that establishes your legal residence (deed/lease to a home, tax statement, utility bill in your name) unless the applicant is a Greek citizen, in which case a photocopy of your tautotita is fine;

7. Two (2) color passport photos;

8. A receipt from any eforia (tax office) that states you paid an 18 euro processing fee for the driver’s license (categories A and B) under your AFM tax number;

9. Completion of an application given to you by the local transport office (in Greek).

For certain non-EU citizens:

If you live permanently in Greece and are from Australia, Canada, Japan, South Africa, South Korea and the United States, you now have the option to swap your driver’s license for a Greek one without taking hours of theory classes or a driving test.

The American Embassy reports that tourists and temporary residents must have an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) accompanying their normal unexpired license or incarceration is possible; more likely, someone will be temporarily detained. In addition, I have not found any official documentation that says a U.S. citizen living permanently in Greece must absolutely convert, even though the American Embassy in Athens says otherwise. A Greek driver’s license carries no additional benefits and there are thousands of citizens using the license from their homeland, which is recognized as valid and lawful by police as long as it has not expired.

Should you plan on being in Greece for life, travel infrequently back to your country and don’t mind that it cannot be renewed past age 65, this option might be for you.

Converting your license for a Greek one requires:

1. Your license is valid at the time of application;

2. You do not already hold a license from another EU member state;

3. A photocopy of your license (not certified) AND

4. A document from the authority that issued your license (i.e. State of New York DMV) that your license is valid and there are no outstanding tickets, warrants or other holds — this should be requested through the Greek Consulate in your home country/state by the applicant, then sent to you in Greece;

5. An official translation of your license and the document above (stating your license is valid and clear) from the Foreign Ministry at 10 Arionos, Monastiraki, 2nd floor (free, if you wait 1 week) or from a lawyer (for a fee). At the Foreign Ministry, open 8:30-13:00;

6. The physical driver’s license;

7. A photocopy of your residence/work permit, which should have been issued at least 185 days (or more) prior to the date of application; a photocopy of your tautotita (if a newly designated dual Greek citizen from one of the countries listed);

8. One (1) photocopy of your passport, plus the physical passport for inspection OR front/back copy of the tautotita if applicant is a dual citizen with Greece;

9. A receipt from any eforia (tax office) that states you paid an 18 euro processing fee for the driver’s license (categories A and B) under your AFM tax number;

10. Two (2) receipts for 32 euros EACH from the National Bank of Greece as proof that the fee was deposited into the “special account of ND 638/1970″ to pay for the health certificates AND

11. Four (4) color passport photos — one to affix your new license, one to keep on file, and one each on certificates, which are:

a) A health certificate from a doctor or a pathologist under contract with the Transport Ministry AND

b) A health certificate from an optometrist under contract with the Transport Ministry;

12. Proof of your AFM tax number, either a photocopy of your last tax statement, any utility bill in your name or the paper you were given when it was originally issued;

13. Completion of an application given to you by the local transport office (in Greek).

For all citizens:

These documents should be taken and submitted to the local transport office (Dieuthinsi Metaforon) in your municipality. It normally takes less than a week for the application to be processed once you apply. When you pick up your Greek license, the license from your homeland will be confiscated and canceled.

Should you decide to secure another license during a visit to your homeland, your Greek license will be revoked if you’re caught with both.

The Greek license expires on your 65th birthday and can be renewed almost automatically, if you pass a health examination and a vision test.

Future of EU driver’s licenses

The EU aims to standardize all driver’s licenses in member states with a credit card sized license bearing a swipe strip on the back side for easier identification and security reasons, similar to those being used in the U.S.

There is already an EEA standard in place, but it is currently not mandatory or enforced. Thus, all member states have different rules and different licenses of varying size, color and composition.

It is wrong to assume that all EU member states have the same rules and regulations regarding driver’s license.

Related posts

“The first time I drove in Athens“
“Tickets and fines in Greece“
“Driving and driver’s licenses in Greece“

Article updated March 12, 2008

Drivers in Greece rank among the EU’s most dangerous, and the number of accidents has decreased as traffic congestion has increased, which is good and bad. If you’re thinking about fitting in with locals by parking on the sidewalk or running a red light, take a look at the penalties first.

Moving violations

* ED recommends stopping and blocking the street instead of pulling over, thus causing a commotion and getting the OK to continue

Non-moving violations

* Weld them to your car/motorcycle (ED’s tip)

** May also be moved manually by strong, charitable men (free, except for some yelling)

To see the full list of violations and their respective consequences and fines, please click *here.*

Notes

- All fines are reduced by half if paid within 10 days
- If you accumulate 25 points in a 3-year period, you lose your license
- 10 driving lessons and a driving test are required to get it back
- It takes 3 years from the date of violation for points to drop off your record

Where do I pay?

If your ticket was issued by the police, bring your ticket and pay at the post office.

If your ticket was issued by the municipality, bring your ticket and pay at that municipality’s City Hall/Mayor’s Office. Locations can be found in your map book purchased from the periptero, calling KEP at ‘1564′ or asking a neighbor who likely knows the answer.

Related posts

“Driving and driver’s licenses in Greece“
“The first time I drove in Athens“
“Walking in the Big A…not Apple, but Athens“

Article updated March 12, 2008

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Photo and pdf courtesy of Kathimerini