Greece expands electronic vehicle checks as fines loom for thousands of drivers
Greece is preparing to expand electronic inspections of vehicles, with cross-checks targeting cars without valid roadworthiness certificates expected to begin shortly. Authorities are also stepping up enforcement against uninsured vehicles, following hundreds of thousands of notifications and penalty procedures.
Dimosthenis Anagnostopoulos, Secretary-General for Information Systems and Digital Governance, announced the upcoming inspections in an interview with ERTnews, explaining that electronic checks of vehicle inspection records would be launched in the near future.
FINES FOR VEHICLES WITHOUT VALID INSPECTION CERTIFICATES
The new checks will target vehicles that have not undergone mandatory technical inspections at authorised KTEO centres.
Under Article 90 of Greece's Road Traffic Code, passenger car owners whose vehicles lack a valid technical inspection certificate may face a fine of €150. Additional penalties may include the temporary confiscation of the driver's licence and vehicle registration certificate for 20 days.
The initiative aims to improve road safety and ensure that vehicles comply with mandatory inspection requirements.
HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ACTIONS AGAINST UNINSURED VEHICLES
Enforcement against uninsured vehicles has already resulted in a large number of notifications and penalties.
According to Anagnostopoulos, approximately 400,000 notifications were sent to vehicle owners identified as uninsured or non-compliant with relevant legal obligations.
Authorities subsequently initiated around 330,000 fine procedures against individuals who failed to address the violations despite receiving warnings.
The penalties were forwarded to Greece's Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE), which is responsible for the collection process.
MORE THAN 8,000 TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS IDENTIFIED ELECTRONICALLY
Authorities have also reported more than 8,000 notifications for traffic violations detected through electronic enforcement systems.
These procedures allow violations to be identified and processed without requiring a traffic police officer to be physically present at the scene.
Drivers can access information about the penalties issued against them and submit objections in accordance with the applicable procedures.
WARNING OVER FAKE FINE NOTIFICATIONS
As digital enforcement expands, authorities are also warning citizens about scams involving fraudulent messages impersonating government institutions.
Scammers reportedly send fake notifications and links, claiming that recipients must pay traffic fines or complete official procedures in order to obtain their personal and financial information.
Vehicle owners are advised not to click on suspicious links received through messages. Instead, they should verify official notifications through Greece's government digital services portal, gov.gr.
VEHICLE SERVICES CONTINUE TO MOVE ONLINE
Greece is also expanding the digitalisation of vehicle-related public services.
According to the figures announced, approximately 470,000 vehicle ownership transfers have been completed through gov.gr.
Further initiatives are planned, including digital monitoring of driving licence examinations and the introduction of an electronic platform for obtaining vehicle registration plates.
WHAT VEHICLE OWNERS SHOULD EXPECT
The expansion of electronic cross-checks is expected to make it easier for Greek authorities to identify vehicles that do not meet mandatory inspection and insurance requirements.
Drivers who fail to comply with their legal obligations may face financial penalties and additional administrative sanctions. Authorities are also urging citizens to verify all digital notifications through official government channels to avoid falling victim to fraud.
