Greece Category B Theory Test key terms

The body of Greek law that sets the rules for driving, vehicle use and road behaviour, and lists the penalties for breaking them. It is the legal basis for the theory test.

Any act or omission that breaches a rule of the Highway Code or other traffic law, such as speeding or running a red light. Offences are graded by severity and carry fines, licence points or worse.

An administrative penalty that suspends a driver's right to drive for a set period, imposed for serious or repeated offences such as drink-driving or extreme speeding. Driving during the suspension is itself an offence.

A fixed sign that warns of a hazard, imposes a rule or gives information. Greek signs follow European shapes and colours: triangles warn, circles order, rectangles inform.

A triangular sign with a red border and white background that warns of a hazard ahead, such as a sharp bend, slippery road or level crossing. It tells the driver to slow down and be ready to react.

A round sign, usually blue, that orders a specific action or forbids one when shown with a red border, for example a mandatory direction, a stop order or a no-entry sign. Ignoring it is an offence.

Painted lines and markings on the road surface that organise traffic, separate lanes, mark edges and indicate where overtaking or parking is allowed. Continuous lines must not be crossed; broken lines may be crossed when safe.

A traffic light installation controlling traffic at junctions, crossings and roadworks. Drivers must obey the colour sequence and any arrow signals, and treat a dark or flashing amber signal with caution.

The red traffic signal that requires vehicles to stop before the stop line or crossing. Passing it is a serious offence and a frequent cause of side-impact collisions at junctions.

A place where two or more roads meet, including T-junctions, crossroads and roundabouts. Priority rules, signalling and observation all change at a junction, making it the highest-risk part of most journeys.

The right of one road user to go first when paths conflict. It may be set by signs, signals, markings or the general rule of giving way from the right; it is never a right to proceed without checking.

The duty to slow or stop and let another road user pass before you continue. It applies at give-way signs and lines, when joining a road, and whenever a pedestrian is crossing at a marked crossing.

A roundabout where traffic circulates in one direction around a central island. In Greece, vehicles entering generally give way to those already on the ring, and drivers signal right on exit.

A marked section of road where pedestrians have priority once they have stepped onto it or clearly intend to cross. Drivers must slow down and stop, and must not overtake a vehicle stopped at a crossing.

The maximum legal speed for a road, set by signs or by general rules for built-up and non-built-up areas and motorways. It is a ceiling for ideal conditions, not a target, and must be reduced for hazards or weather.

The practice of driving below the posted limit when conditions such as rain, fog, darkness, traffic or roadworks require it. The legal limit never overrides the need to stay able to stop within the visible distance.

The gap kept behind the vehicle in front so you can stop if it brakes suddenly. It should grow with speed, wet roads, heavy loads and poor visibility, and is often taught as a time gap of at least two seconds.

The total distance travelled from the moment a hazard appears until the vehicle stops. It combines the distance covered during the driver's reaction time with the braking distance, and rises sharply with speed.

The delay between noticing a hazard and acting on it, typically around one second for an alert driver. Tiredness, alcohol, distraction and surprise all lengthen it, increasing the distance covered before braking starts.

How far and how clearly a driver can see the road ahead and be seen by others. Rain, fog, darkness, bends and parked vehicles reduce it, so speed and following distance must be adjusted accordingly.

Overtaking another road user, normally on the left in Greece. It is allowed only when visibility, road markings, signs and traffic permit, and it is forbidden at crossings, bends with limited view and most junctions.

An area around a vehicle that the driver cannot see directly or in the mirrors, especially beside and behind lorries and buses. Before changing direction, check it by turning your head, not only by looking in mirrors.

A mirror fitted so the driver can see behind and to the sides. Mirrors must be correctly adjusted and clean, but they leave blind spots, so a shoulder check is still needed before manoeuvring.

The routine inspection of tyres, lights, brakes, fluids and steering that keeps a vehicle roadworthy. Daily checks before a journey catch defects early, and driving a vehicle with a known dangerous defect is an offence.

The grooved tread pattern that channels water away and grips the road. Worn tread lengthens braking distances and raises aquaplaning risk; Greek law sets a minimum legal tread depth for passenger cars.

The air pressure inside a tyre, which must match the manufacturer's recommendation and be checked when tyres are cold. Wrong pressure harms grip, fuel use and tyre life, and can cause a blowout at speed.

Loss of contact between tyre and road when a layer of water lifts the tyre, leaving the driver with little steering or braking. It is prevented by slowing down in heavy rain and keeping tread depth and pressure correct.

Cloud at ground level that can cut visibility to a few metres within seconds. Drivers should slow down, use dipped headlights or fog lights correctly, avoid overtaking and keep a much larger gap ahead.

Headlights used to see and be seen, including dipped beam for normal night driving and in poor daytime visibility. Full beam is for unlit roads when no other road user would be dazzled.

The maximum blood alcohol concentration permitted while driving, set in Greek law and lower for novice and professional drivers. Even below the limit, alcohol slows reactions and increases risk-taking.

Physical and mental tiredness that lengthens reaction time, reduces attention and can lead to falling asleep at the wheel. The only real cure is stopping for rest; coffee, fresh air and loud music do not remove it.

Anything that takes the driver's eyes, hands or mind off the driving task, such as a phone, navigation device, passengers or scenery. It is a leading cause of collisions and is restricted by law for phones.

A smooth driving style that saves fuel and reduces emissions: early gear changes, steady speed, anticipation, correct tyre pressure and avoiding unnecessary idling or heavy loads.

The amount of fuel a vehicle uses over a distance. It rises with harsh acceleration, high speed, low tyre pressure, roof loads and idling, so economical driving techniques directly reduce it.

The immediate help given to an injured person before professional services arrive. It includes making the scene safe, calling emergency services, checking breathing and controlling bleeding without moving casualties unnecessarily.

The free emergency number reachable across Greece and the European Union for police, ambulance and fire. When calling, give the exact location, the number of casualties and any continuing hazards clearly.

The recovery position in which an unconscious but breathing casualty is placed on their side to keep the airway open. It is used when there is no suspected spinal injury and no need for CPR.

A collision or other incident on the road that causes injury or damage. Drivers involved must stop, secure the scene, help casualties, exchange details and report to police where the law requires.