Hello, dear Riders and Explorers,
We are thrilled you chose Corfu and Greece as your holiday destination. We appreciate your presence here!
This post covers various aspects of scooter driving in Corfu, including regulations, tips for navigating, and essential considerations for renting and operating scooters. We are creating this post considering the needs of our cherished Vespa scooter enthusiasts. We're not sharing groundbreaking secrets; we're sharing insights learned from our driving experiences on the island and feedback from our Vespa travellers.
It's easy to overlook the basics in today's information-rich world, so we're here to serve as a friendly reminder.
If you're wondering whether it's a good idea to rent and drive a scooter or a motorcycle in Greece, especially in Corfu, our post "Tips for Renting a Scooter or a Motorcycle in Corfu, Greece" was created to help you make a confident decision.
Driving Regulations and Safety Guidelines:
Always carry your driver's license with you.
In Greece, we drive on the right-hand side of the road!
Wearing a helmet is mandatory in Greece.
Wearing gloves is optional.
Do not drink alcohol and drive (alcohol level of up to 0.5 ppm is allowed (0.05%)).
Make sure to adjust the mirrors before beginning to ride.
Always use the center stand when you park your Vespa.
Always lock the scooter steering when you park.
Where to park?
You can park almost anywhere without a yellow line or road signs indicating the opposite. Please use your critical thinking mind when finding a safe parking spot for your scooter.
Please do not park in front of windows, doors and home entrances. Do not park between cars or at the taxi stations.
Do not park the Vespa with your top case exposed to road traffic.
Navigating Tips and Road Conditions:
Always use Google Maps to navigate. It is the only reliable map. But even Google Maps sometimes share misleading directions. Always listen to your gut feeling and use your critical thinking mind. If something feels wrong with the route shown - you choose to follow, select a different one.
If you are planning to drive in Northern Corfu, switch your telephone network company to manual before starting your ride. Otherwise, it connects with Albanian networks (non-EU countries) and can be costly if in automatic network mode.
The roads are in poor condition. While a road may seem well-paved, suddenly, a pothole may appear, or the road may become bumpy.
Be aware that black marks on the road might be oil stains.
There are many olive groves along the country roads, and the road might be slippery.
Expect to find gravel and dirt even on the sides of the main streets.
Please always check the local signs for speed limits.
Drive slowly anywhere with so many tourists and accommodation options. You never know when you will meet someone walking, running, cycling, stopping in your lane, looking for directions, etc. When driving through villages and small towns, be aware that children might be playing using the road as a yard, and older people and animals might be crossing the road.
As an extra tip for motorcycle riders, scooters can not lean as much as a motorcycle. In addition, the roads are in poor condition. The front brake is on the right hand, and the rear brake is on the left.
Rental Procedures and Precautions:
Before picking up your scooter, check all around and underneath the scooter for scratches, blemishes and damages. Record any scratches or damages by taking 📷pictures of them and make sure that "Corfu Vespa" or your rental company knows them. Video recording your rented scooter might not work if it is a well-polished, shiny scooter like our Vespas. Instead, capture any damages on single photos per scratch or damage.
Confirm your rental vehicle return time!
Confirm your rental insurance plan coverages.
Driving off the road is Forbidden. The scooters have a high-end brake system, and driving off-road will destroy the brake system.
None of our insurance plans cover incidents that occur off-road.
If you are renting with another company and plan to drive off-road, confirm that it is acceptable.
Never give the scooter to an unauthorized driver.
Safety Gear and Equipment:
Always wear your helmets when driving!
It is ideal to wear long-sleeved clothing and sturdy - closed shoes.
Store your helmets in the top case and under the seat.
Remove the phone mount when you park your scooter and place it under the seat (please do not store it in the same spot where the USB port and Cable are stored).
Emergency Procedures and Incident Reporting:
If an incident occurs, please take pictures of the location and the scooter damage and inform us or the company you will rent from as soon as possible.
If an incident occurs and another scooter or car is involved, a police or insurance report is needed. And in that case, you must inform immediately the rental company.
Wishing you safe and pleasant riding experiences!
Respectfully yours,
Katerina
