Traffic Fines in 5 Different Countries

The Greek Treasury needs money and tourists will feel this, if they do not comply with the country's traffic rules with their car hire in Greece. It now costs 375 Euro if you are caught driving without wearing a seatbelt, which is 75 Euro increase. A parking charge has increased by approx. 20% and will now cost you 40 Euro.

We always recommend you to follow the local traffic laws with your car rental. However, it can be a good idea to know what you will be charged for parking in the wrong place or forgetting your driving license. Please do remember that extra administration fees may be charged when your car hire gets a fine. Read the terms and conditions on your reservation to find out exactly how much your car rental company will charge in administration fees.

Spain

• Illegal parking: 60 - 300 Euro
• Driving without a seatbelt: 90 - 300 Euro
• Talking on the phone while driving: 90 - 300 Euro
• Driving without a license: 300 - 1,500 Euro
• Blood alcohol limit: 0,5 - drinking and driving can end with time in prison and fines of 300 - 1,500 Euro can be charged

Comment: There are similar penalties for locals and tourists. Letting a tourist go without getting a fine is not very common and as your car hire company has your private details and credit card information, you will be charged. Spain also has a very strong focus on drunk driving and a lot of alcohol raids at all hours of the day.

Greece

• Illegal parking: 40 Euro - double up in roundabouts and similar places. 50 % discount, if you pay within 10 days
• Driving without a seatbelt: 375 Euro - applies to all passengers in the car
• Talking on the phone while driving: 300 - 500 Euro
• Driving without a license: This is not considered too bad
• Blood alcohol limit: 0.5

Comments: Every year there are about 28.000 fines issued in Rethymnon, which is about 2% per capita.

Portugal

• Illegal parking: 30 - 250 Euro
• Driving without a seatbelt: 120 Euro
• Talking on the phone while driving: 120 Euro
• Driving without a license: 30 Euro - if the card is not presented within eight days, the fine will be doubled.
• Blood alcohol limit: 0.5

Comments: Police remove illegally parked cars at the owner's expense.

Turkey

• Illegal parking: 61 TRY, plus 10 TRY if the car is towed in addition to the cost of the use of the garage and 10 points on your license
• Driving without a seatbelt: 61 TRY. 10 points on your license
• Talking on the phone while driving: 61 TRY and costs 15 points on your license
• Driving without a license: 95 TRY. If you have no license, it costs 265 TRY for both driver and car owner but can also lead to 1-2 months in prison
• Blood alcohol limit: 0.5

Comments: When you receive a fine, the penalty must be paid within 10 days. If you pay on the spot, you will be givin a discount of 25%. When the locals are issued licenses, they also 100 points, which the police then 'take' from.

Italy

• Illegal parking: 36 Euro. When a parking interrupts the traffic or is parked on pavement, the fine will be four times as expensive
• Driving without a seatbelt: 78 Euro
• Talking on the phone while driving: 155 euro
• Driving without a license: 36 Euro
• Blood alcohol limit: 0.5

Comments: The Police in Florence issue about 90 fines per minute, which is equal to 1,253 fines per day. It brings the municipality an additional income of 52 million Euro per year. Of the 859 959 traffic offenses, the city police recorded in 2008, were more than half due to vehicles driving in areas with traffic restrictions (ZTL) without the necessary authorization.

Remember to always be safe on the road. Always use seatbelts for all passengers and don't drink and drive. Should you have any further questions to car hire with Auto Europe or perhaps administration fees for find handling with a local car rental company, please do not hesitate to contact us.