Driving in Zakynthos is one of the best ways to explore the island’s natural beauty – from exotic beaches to traditional villages and scenic inland roads. To enjoy this experience safely and legally, it’s important to be aware of the essential rules and requirements for driving on the island.

What You Need to Know:

1. Driving License

Residents of Greece can drive with a national Greek driving license. Citizens of EU countries can also drive freely using their national license.
Travelers from outside the EU (e.g. USA, Canada, Australia) must hold a valid international driving permit (IDP) in addition to their national license.

2. Minimum Age and Requirements

To drive a car in Zakynthos, the driver must be at least 21 years old and have held a valid license for at least one year.
For driving a scooter or quad bike (ATV), the minimum age is 18 years with a license held for at least one year.

3. Driving Rules

In Zakynthos, driving is on the right-hand side of the road. The driver and all passengers are required to wear seat belts, while children must be seated in appropriate child safety seats depending on their age and weight.

Wearing a protective helmet is mandatory for all riders and passengers of scooters and quad bikes (ATVs), regardless of the distance or type of road.
⚠️ Failure to wear a helmet is subject to heavy fines and results in license suspension for at least 30 days.

Key rules include:

• Speed limits in Zakynthos:
  • 30 km/h (about 18.6 mph) within residential areas
  • 50 km/h (about 31 mph) outside residential areas
• Using a mobile phone while driving is prohibited unless with hands-free or Bluetooth
• Alcohol consumption for drivers is strictly limited – up to 0.5‰ blood alcohol content (or 0.2‰ for young/professional drivers)

4. Vehicle License Categories

Depending on the type of vehicle, the following driving license categories apply:

• AM: For mopeds up to 50cc
• A1: For scooters up to 125cc
• B: For standard passenger cars and quad bikes (ATVs)

Your license must always match the category of the vehicle you are driving. Driving without the appropriate license is a serious offense and may lead to fines, license suspension, or legal action.