Traffic rulesGreece

Driving licences are administered by the Directorates of Transport and Communications of the regional units.

The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport establishes the national rules for licence categories, training, examinations and driver records.

It is processed through the competent regional Transport and Communications Directorate, a KEP citizen-service centre or the available Ministry digital service.

Yes. A valid Greek licence is recognised throughout the country, subject to its categories, restrictions and current legal status.

Yes. A valid Greek EU-format licence is generally recognised throughout the EU and European Economic Area.

The e-Training and Examination Card records the application, training, examinations and other candidate information.

It normally expires three years after issue. The practical test must be passed while it remains valid.

It is the official government application that can store and display eligible digital identity and driving-licence documents.

Yes. The official digital copy in Gov.gr Wallet can be used for identification and roadside checks within Greece.

Yes. National rules apply, but driving-school charges, appointment availability and regional processing times vary.

An applicant must have reached the age required by the application and training rules; category B can ultimately be granted from age 17 under the accompanied-driving framework.

Yes. A successful applicant aged 17 receives a temporary category B authorisation and may drive only under the accompanied-driving conditions until turning 18.

Yes. Once the practical test has been passed and the temporary or physical licence is valid, the adult driver may drive independently.

Yes, or have been a student or pupil in Greece for at least six months before the application.

The applicant normally applies within the regional unit of residence, subject to any regional arrangements allowing service by another office.

An accepted identity card, passport or residence document is required, together with the information requested by the licensing procedure.

Yes. The applicant normally provides an AFM, and digital procedures also require Taxisnet credentials.

Yes. A foreign resident who proves lawful residence or the qualifying student status can apply.

No. A person cannot obtain a first Greek licence while holding another Greek or EU driving licence of the relevant kind.

No. A current withdrawal, disqualification or other legal prohibition must be resolved.

Yes. Category B applicants must be declared medically fit by the required doctors.

Yes. Compulsory training, the theory examination and the practical skills-and-behaviour test must all be completed.

At least two medical certificates are normally required.

The process normally includes a physician from the authorised internal-medicine or general-practice group and an ophthalmologist.

Yes. Visual acuity and other relevant vision functions are assessed.

Yes. A restriction code is recorded when corrective lenses must be used while driving.

Yes. A doctor can refer the applicant for the relevant specialist opinion where a condition is suspected.

Yes. An otolaryngologist and a neurologist or psychiatrist are additionally required for applicants and renewing drivers over 80.

They are normally accepted when submitted within six months of issue.

No. The person may qualify with restrictions, adapted controls or an adapted vehicle after individual assessment.

Yes. A shorter renewal period or specific restriction can be imposed where health requires closer review.

Yes. The categories can be restricted, suspended or withdrawn when the holder no longer satisfies the medical standards.

Yes. The compulsory theory and practical training is provided by authorised driving schools and theory-training centres.

At least 20 theory lessons are required.

Yes. The applicant must complete at least one instructional hour using the computerised theory-examination system.

At least 25 practical lessons are required.

No. Practical instruction begins only after the required theory lessons have been completed.

No. Before passing the test, on-road practice must take place through the authorised training framework.

It covers traffic law, signs, junctions, speed, road position, safe driving, vehicle knowledge and collision responsibilities.

It covers vehicle preparation, manoeuvres, urban driving, roads outside towns, faster roads and varied traffic conditions.

Yes. The statutory numbers are minimums, and additional instruction may be needed before the candidate is test-ready.

Yes. The licence will normally carry code 78, limiting category B to vehicles without a manual clutch.

Yes. The driver completes the required practical training and passes a test in an appropriate manual-transmission vehicle.

Yes. The candidate record and documented completed training can be transferred under the applicable procedure.

It is the computerised theoretical examination for candidate drivers, conducted through the M.S.Th.E.Y.O. system.

There are 30 questions.

The candidate passes with all answers correct or with no more than one incorrect answer.

The regulatory time for the category B questionnaire is 15 minutes.

The test is available in Greek, English, Albanian and Russian.

Yes. A Greek audio version using headphones is available under the prescribed procedure.

Yes. Special examination arrangements are available for candidates with recognised educational, literacy, hearing or related needs.

The questions cover traffic rules, signs, priority, speed, safe behaviour, vehicle operation and road-safety responsibilities.

Yes. A valid theory pass is required before the practical test can be scheduled.

The candidate can be scheduled for another attempt and must pay the applicable examination fee.

No. It remains usable only while the candidate’s e-Training and Examination Card remains valid.

Yes. Where several questionnaires apply to a category process, passed components are retained until the candidate record expires.

A practical-examination committee appointed through the regional transport authority conducts the test.

The test is taken in an authorised training vehicle of the requested category with the required instructor controls and documents.

The candidate is assessed on preparation, seating, mirrors, restraints, vehicle documents and basic safety checks.

They include reversing with a turn, parking and starting on an incline of about 10%, together with other prescribed tasks.

It is conducted on public roads that should include realistic urban conditions and, where possible, roads outside towns, high-speed roads or motorways.

The examiner assesses observation, priority, signs, speed choice, positioning, communication, manoeuvres and safe independent control.

Yes. Incorrect performance of a compulsory Group A special exercise can result in rejection.

Yes. Dangerous conduct, a major rule violation or examiner intervention can result in failure.

Yes. Another test can be scheduled after further preparation and payment of the applicable fee.

The driver can obtain an official temporary driving licence online while the physical card is produced.

It expires six months after the successful practical test.

It is generated online using Taxisnet credentials and can be stored digitally or printed.

Yes. Its link, verification code or QR code can be used to check authenticity.

The driver may operate category B only with an eligible companion until turning 18.

The companion must be at least 25 years old.

The companion must have held a valid category B licence for more than five years.

The companion must sit beside the young driver, monitor the driving and remain fit to take over.

A black Greek capital letter Σ on a white background must be displayed at the rear in the prescribed position.

No. Accompanied driving by a person under 18 is subject to a zero-alcohol condition.

It is treated as driving without the appropriate licence; the temporary licence is cancelled and serious additional sanctions apply.

The Σ sign is removed and the ordinary new-driver N sign applies under the new-driver rule.

The special N identification sign is required for the first one year of new-driver status.

It covers mopeds and light quadricycles within the statutory speed and engine or power limits.

The minimum age is 16.

It covers light motorcycles up to 125 cm³, 11 kW and the prescribed power-to-weight limit.

The minimum age is 18.

It covers motorcycles up to 35 kW with the prescribed power-to-weight and derivation restrictions.

The minimum age is 20.

It covers unrestricted motorcycles. Direct access normally requires age 24, or age 22 after holding A2 for at least two years.

It covers vehicles up to 3,500 kg with no more than eight passenger seats in addition to the driver.

A trailer up to 750 kg, or a heavier trailer where the statutory category B combination limit is satisfied.

It extends category B to a vehicle-and-trailer combination above 3,500 kg but not exceeding 4,250 kg.

It covers a category B towing vehicle with a trailer or semi-trailer within the BE limits.

A category B holder aged at least 27, with more than six years of B and at least five practical lessons, may ride A1 vehicles in Greece only.

It covers goods and similar vehicles above 3,500 kg and up to 7,500 kg.

It covers goods vehicles above 3,500 kg outside the bus categories.

It covers smaller passenger vehicles within the statutory seating and length limits.

It covers buses designed to carry more than eight passengers in addition to the driver.

It is normally 21, but it can be 18 when the required Certificate of Professional Competence applies.

It is normally 24, but it can be 21 with the required professional-competence qualification.

The Certificate of Professional Competence is the qualification required for many professional lorry and bus drivers.

It is recorded through EU harmonised code 95.

It is valid for five years.

Yes. Covered professional drivers must complete periodic training to renew code 95 and continue professional operation.

AM, A1, A2, A, B1, B and BE are normally valid for 15 years.

C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D and DE are normally valid for five years.

Yes. A category can be issued or renewed for a shorter period.

A Greek licence can normally be renewed from two months before expiry.

Yes, but the holder must not drive the expired category before renewal is completed.

Yes. The digital renewal process directs the applicant to the required medical specialties.

The application should be completed within six months while the medical certificates remain valid.

Yes. Eligible applicants can use Taxisnet, MyPhoto and the government renewal service.

The driver applies for a duplicate and provides the required declaration, identification and fees.

No. The official driver record controls the legal entitlement.

Yes. A valid licence issued by an EU or EEA state is generally recognised.

No. Exchange is generally voluntary while the licence remains valid, although renewal in Greece can require simultaneous exchange.

Yes, when the licence is valid and recognised under an applicable convention, agreement or national rule.

It may be required when the national licence is not directly recognised or understandable; it must accompany the valid national licence.

No.

Yes. Qualifying valid licences from the USA, Canada and Australia can be converted without theory or practical tests under the official procedure.

Japan, qualifying South African plastic licences and South Korean A and B categories are included.

Yes, where the applicant satisfies the specific post-Brexit and Withdrawal Agreement procedure.

No. A foreign document marked provisional or temporary is not accepted for exchange.

Yes. Heavy categories and PEI or CPC qualifications are subject to the particular agreement, medical and professional rules.

It is the SESO driver-behaviour control system.

A warning is issued when the driver reaches 15 penalty points.

The withdrawal procedure begins when the driver reaches 25 points.

Yes. A second occurrence within one year of specified offences can trigger withdrawal.

It lasts at least six months.

The driver must complete the required theory education and pass the prescribed re-examination.

The ordinary enforcement threshold begins at 0.5 g/l of blood or 0.25 mg/l of exhaled air.

The lower threshold begins at 0.2 g/l of blood or 0.10 mg/l of exhaled air.

It includes new drivers, motorcyclists and moped riders, taxi and public-service drivers, heavy-vehicle and bus drivers and drivers carrying dangerous goods.

Yes. Higher readings can lead to larger fines, licence withdrawal, vehicle immobilisation and criminal proceedings.

This FAQ was prepared from current Gov.gr, the National Registry of Administrative Public Services, Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport rules and Hellenic Police guidance.

Last reviewed: 4 August 2026.

This website is an independent educational resource and is not affiliated with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, a regional Transport Directorate, KEP, the Hellenic Police, an examination committee or a driving school.

Official legislation and instructions from the competent authority always take precedence.