Electronic checks and strict penalties are being introduced to detect uninsured vehicles, unpaid road taxes, and vehicles that have not undergone MOT inspections. Although these cross-references will be repeated every six months, the relevant authorities have already begun preliminary tests to evaluate the new system of checks and cross-references and to gauge the true scale of the problem in the coming months.

It is estimated that over 500,000 vehicles are circulating without insurance, while the number of vehicles that have not undergone a technical inspection remains unknown. Violators caught in the act will face hefty fines. Penalties for uninsured vehicles range from €250 for motorcycles, €500 for passenger cars, and €1,000 for buses or commercial trucks. In cases of repeat offenses, fines are doubled, and license plates and registration documents are confiscated. These will only be returned after all violations are resolved.

In this context, state-of-the-art high-tech cameras being installed on the roads of Attica will play a pivotal role. Capable of automatically recording violations such as speeding, running red lights, using a mobile phone while driving, as well as detecting uninsured vehicles or those without MOT compliance, these cameras will act as an “ever-watchful guardian.”

Of the 1,388 cameras set to be installed, 1,000 will even be capable of capturing clear images of drivers’ faces. The data will be automatically cross-checked with the central databases of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE), with fines issued immediately and sent electronically.

For vehicles that have not passed an MOT inspection, the fine amounts to €400. Those who fail to comply within three months of the fine’s issuance will face re-inspections and additional penalties.

Particularly severe fines apply to cases of declared immobility. If vehicles registered as immobile are found to be in use or parked outside the declared location, the fine starts at €10,000 and can reach up to €30,000 for repeat offenses, while the driver’s license will be revoked for three years.

Regarding road taxes, those making payments during these days are considered late, as the deadline expired on December 31, 2024. Late payments are subject to surcharges: 25% in January, 50% in February, and a doubling of the amount starting in March.