Greece Category C Theory cheat sheet

Greek road traffic law is codified in Law 2696/1999 (Κώδικας Οδικής Κυκλοφορίας, ΚΟΚ); articles are cited by number, e.g. άρθρο 17 for speed limits and άρθρο 39 for driving licences.

Default urban speed limit is 50 km/h unless signs state otherwise; 30 km/h zones are marked with a special sign in residential areas and near schools.

Outside built-up areas the general limit for goods vehicles over 3.5 t is 80 km/h on ordinary roads and 90 km/h on motorways, unless posted signs are lower.

Blood alcohol limit for professional (Category C) drivers is 0.20 g/L; for other drivers it is 0.50 g/L, and 0.90 g/L triggers the stricter penalties tier.

The driving licence categories C, CE, C1 and C1E require a medical certificate (υγειονομική εξέταση) and periodic renewal; Category C is renewed at shorter intervals after age 50.

Drivers must carry the licence, vehicle registration (άδεια κυκλοφορίας), insurance certificate and, for hire/reward or international transport, the required transport documents; failure to produce them is an offence.

Seat belts are mandatory for all occupants where fitted; children under 12 and under 150 cm must use an approved child restraint appropriate to their height and weight.

Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is prohibited; only hands-free devices are allowed, and the offence carries administrative fines and licence points.

Greek warning signs are triangular with a red border and white/yellow background; regulatory prohibitory signs are circular with a red border; mandatory signs are circular and blue.

Greek information signs are rectangular and blue or green; motorway signs use blue backgrounds with white lettering, while direction signs on ordinary roads use white or green.

A continuous white line at the edge or centre means do not cross; a broken line means crossing is permitted when safe and the manoeuvre is signalled.

A yellow zig-zag or yellow kerb line marks a bus stop or no-parking zone; stopping there is prohibited even for loading.

Traffic light sequence: red, red+amber (prepare to go), green, amber (stop unless unsafe to do so); a flashing amber at a pedestrian crossing means give way to pedestrians.

Level crossing signals: a red flashing light or barrier down means stop; a St Andrew's cross (crossbuck) marks an unprotected crossing.

Direction arrows painted on the lane indicate the permitted movement for that lane; a straight-ahead arrow in a lane means no turning from that lane.

Temporary yellow road markings and orange/red signs override permanent markings during roadworks.

Safe following distance in dry conditions is at least 2 seconds; in rain, at night or when loaded, increase to 3–4 seconds.

Stopping distance = thinking distance + braking distance; at 80 km/h a loaded truck needs roughly 70–90 m to stop on dry asphalt.

Mirror–signal–manoeuvre sequence must be completed before every lane change, turn or overtaking move; blind spots on a Category C vehicle are large and require a shoulder check.

Overtaking is prohibited at pedestrian crossings, on bends with restricted visibility, at level crossings and where a continuous line separates the lanes.

Fatigue is a major crash cause: after 4.5 hours of driving a 45-minute break is required under EU Regulation 561/2006, and rest must be taken off the vehicle.

Alcohol, drugs, illness and some medicines (antihistamines, sedatives) impair reaction time; the professional driver must not drive under their influence.

In rain, aquaplaning occurs when water depth exceeds tread depth; reduce speed and avoid sudden braking or steering inputs.

At night, use dipped headlights in built-up areas and when following or meeting traffic; main beam only when no other road user is affected.

Defensive driving principle: assume other road users may make mistakes and leave an escape route (space cushion) around the vehicle.

Scan 12–15 seconds ahead in urban areas and further on motorways; check mirrors every 5–8 seconds and before any speed or lane change.

Hazard categories: static (parked cars, roadworks), moving (pedestrians, cyclists, animals) and environmental (ice, fog, rain, low sun).

Vulnerable road users - pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, children and the elderly - require extra following distance and reduced speed near schools, bus stops and crossings.

In fog, use fog lights only when visibility is below 50 m; switch them off when visibility improves to avoid dazzling other drivers.

At a level crossing, never stop on the tracks; if the exit is blocked, wait before the barrier line.

When reversing a large vehicle, use a banksman (guide) where possible; if alone, get out and check the area before reversing.

Skid control: release the brake, steer into the skid and avoid harsh acceleration; ABS does not shorten stopping distance on gravel or snow.

Category C covers rigid goods vehicles with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) exceeding 3.5 t but not exceeding 32 t; Category CE covers combinations above that.

EU maximum dimensions for a rigid lorry: length 12 m, width 2.55 m (2.60 m for refrigerated bodies), height 4.00 m.

Maximum authorised mass for a rigid 3-axle lorry in Greece is generally 26 t, and 32 t for a 4-axle rigid, subject to axle load limits.

Maximum axle load is 10 t for a single drive axle and 11.5 t for a single non-drive axle; tyre ratings must match the axle load.

Load must be evenly distributed and secured so it cannot shift; the centre of gravity must remain low to preserve stability and braking.

Overhang beyond the rear of the vehicle is limited; long loads must be marked with a red/white warning panel and, at night, a red light.

The load must not obscure lights, reflectors, the number plate or the driver's view; if it does, additional lights and a duplicate plate are required.

Overloading is an offence and invalidates insurance in some cases; the driver is responsible for checking weight before departure.

EU Regulation 561/2006: after 4.5 hours of driving, take a 45-minute break, which may be split into 15 minutes plus 30 minutes.

Daily driving limit is 9 hours, extendable to 10 hours twice per week; weekly driving limit is 56 hours, and the two-week limit is 90 hours.

Daily rest is 11 hours (reducible to 9 hours three times between weekly rests); weekly rest is 45 hours, reducible to 24 hours with compensation.

A driver must take a weekly rest after at most six consecutive daily driving periods.

The tachograph records driving, other work, availability and rest; the driver must select the correct mode manually when the vehicle is stationary.

Records must be kept for 28 days and produced on request by enforcement officers; infringements are recorded on the driver card.

Night work and weekend driving restrictions apply in Greece for certain heavy vehicles; check national derogations before planning.

The 12-day rule allows postponement of the weekly rest for international occasional passenger or goods transport under strict conditions.

Digital tachograph (EU Regulation 165/2014) records speed, distance, position and driver activity; the driver card is personal and must not be shared.

Driver card must be inserted at the start of the shift and removed at the end; card data must be downloaded at least every 28 days.

Vehicle unit data must be downloaded at least every 90 days; both downloads must be retained for at least one year.

Manual entries must be made for any activity not recorded automatically, e.g. ferry crossings, other work or rest taken away from the vehicle.

Documents to carry: driving licence, driver card, vehicle registration, insurance, roadworthiness certificate (KTEO), CMR or delivery notes and, where applicable, the community licence.

The CMR consignment note is the standard international goods transport document under the CMR Convention; it must be carried on international journeys.

A Community Licence (άδεια κοινοτικής άδειας) is required for hire-or-reward international transport within the EU.

Tachograph seals must be intact; a broken seal or malfunction must be reported and repaired at an approved workshop.

Daily walk-around check: tyres (pressure, tread depth ≥1.6 mm for cars and ≥1.0 mm for trucks in Greece), lights, mirrors, fluids, brakes, load security and number plates.

Air brake system: check pressure builds to operating range (typically 6–8 bar) and that the low-pressure warning works; drain air tanks daily.

Tyre tread for Category C vehicles must be at least 1.0 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread; sidewall damage or bulges mean replacement.

Check engine oil, coolant, brake fluid and windscreen washer levels when the engine is cold; use the dipstick or electronic gauge.

The periodic technical inspection (KTEO) for heavy goods vehicles is annual after the first registration year; the certificate must be carried.

Warning lights: red means stop immediately (oil pressure, brakes, coolant), amber means check soon (ABS, engine management), green/blue are informational.

Before coupling a trailer (CE), check the fifth wheel, kingpin, air lines, electrical connections and landing legs; test the brakes after coupling.

Check the tachograph for correct time and card insertion, and confirm the load is within the permitted axle and gross weights.

Accident procedure: stop, secure the scene (hazard lights, warning triangle at least 50 m behind on motorways), call 112, then give first aid.

Do not move an injured person unless there is immediate danger (fire, traffic); keep them warm and still, and monitor breathing.

Recovery position (lateral safety position) is used for an unconscious but breathing casualty; check airway, breathing and circulation.

CPR ratio for adults is 30 chest compressions to 2 rescue breaths; compression depth 5–6 cm at 100–120 per minute.

Severe bleeding: apply direct pressure with a clean cloth or dressing; do not remove an object embedded in a wound.

Fire triangle: fuel, oxygen, heat. Use a CO2 extinguisher for electrical fires and a powder (ABC) extinguisher for fuel or mixed fires.

Vehicle fire: switch off the engine, evacuate occupants upwind, call the fire service; never open the bonnet fully if the engine is burning.

In Greece the European accident statement (φιλική δήλωση) is used to record the circumstances; both drivers sign and exchange insurance details.

Fuel consumption rises steeply above 80–90 km/h; driving at the legal limit with steady throttle reduces consumption by 10–15%.

Use the highest gear possible without labouring the engine (typically 1,200–1,500 rpm for a loaded diesel) to reduce fuel use and wear.

Anticipate traffic and coast or use engine braking instead of late braking; smooth acceleration and deceleration save fuel and brake linings.

Correct tyre pressure reduces rolling resistance; under-inflation by 0.5 bar can increase fuel consumption by about 2–3%.

Idling wastes fuel and increases emissions; switch off the engine during long waits (over 1–2 minutes) where safe.

Remove unnecessary roof racks and empty loads; every 100 kg of extra weight increases fuel consumption by roughly 1 litre per 100 km.

Use air-conditioning sparingly; it can increase fuel consumption by up to 10% in urban driving.

Regular maintenance (air filter, injectors, alignment) and correct oil grade keep the engine efficient and reduce CO2 output.