Glossary Of American And British Driving Terminology

Please note that American terminology can vary from state to state, and this glossary is incomplete. Please Contact Us if you can help us add to it.

U.S.A.

The U.K.

An “All-Way Stop” (sometimes a.k.a. a 4-Way Stop)A crossroads or multiple junctions at which traffic from all directions must stop at a ‘Stop’ sign or a stop line.
Backing UpReversing (Americans seemingly never say “reversing”)
Bathrooms (at a “Rest Area”) —  a.k.a. “Restrooms.”Toilets
BicyclistCyclist
Cargo Van  (see also “Van” and “Mini-Van”)A van for the carriage of goods
Carpool Lane (a.k.a. a ‘Diamond’ or ‘H.O.V.’ Lane)Lanes are restricted to vehicles with multiple passengers
CitationBeing reported by the police for a traffic offense
Commuter LaneA central lane is used for traffic in different directions at different times of day, sometimes between movable concrete barriers  (hence the ‘zipper’ reference below)
Coupe (pronounced “koop”)Coupé (pronounced ‘koop-ay’)
CrosswalkPedestrian Crossing
CruiserPolice Patrol Car
CurveBend
Diamond Lane (a.k.a. Carpool or H.O.V. Lane)Lanes are restricted to vehicles with multiple passengers

D.M.V. is “Dept. of Motor Vehicles”  (also see R.M.V.)

(Issue driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations)
D.U.I.Driving Under the Influence of alcohol
DWAIDriving While Ability Impaired (through alcohol)
D.W.I.Driving While Intoxicated
DirectionalsIndicators
Divided HighwayDual Carriageway
DefoggerHeated Rear Window
(L.C.V.) Double TrailerAn articulated wagon (“tractor-trailer”) with two trailers in tandem. (Only an L.C.V. if over 80,000 pounds)
Emergency BrakeA misleading name for the Handbrake
Emergency SignalsHazard Lights
ExpresswayMotorway

Flashers (also “Four-Way Flashers” and “Warning Lights)

Hazard Lights
Four-WayCrossroads
Four-Way Stop  (a.k.a. an All-Way Stop)A crossroads at which traffic from all directions must stop at a ‘Stop’ sign or a stop line.
FreewayDual Carriageway; usually a Motorway equivalent
Complete (or “Full Service”) at a “Gas Station”Attendants will put your petrol in.   Asking for “ten regular” will get you ten dollars worth, not ten gallons
GasPetrol  (See “Regular”)
Gas Pedal (or just “the gas”)Accelerator
Gas StationPetrol Station
A “Grade”  (often just a “hill”)Hill
H.O.V. (High-Occupancy Vehicle) Lane (q.v. Carpool)Lanes are restricted to vehicles with multiple passengers
HighwayThis generally means a dual carriageway of motorway standards, but it can also be used for any road with two or more lanes.
HoodBonnet
A number preceded by the letter “I,” such as “I-90.”This is an Interstate Highway (q.v.)
IntersectionAny road junction, on major and minor roads
“Interstate,” or “Interstate Highway”Motorway
“Jct 78”  (any number)Sign on the approach to a junction with the relevant road
L.C.V. (“longer combination vehicle”)An articulated wagon (“tractor-trailer”) with either two or three trailers in tandem.

(“Double Trailers” are only L.C.V.s if they are over 80,000 pounds)

LightsTraffic Lights
MedianCentral Reserve
Mini Van  (see also “Van” and “Cargo Van”)A “people carrier” with seats for six or more.
One WayA One-Way Street or, in some states, the right side of a Divided Highway (q.v.)
ParkwayContrary to what it may sound like, it is a road.
PavementThe road surface. Do not confuse this with Sidewalk!
Pavement MarkingsRoad Markings (But beware! On the approach to ‘Stop’ junctions, etc., these are usually absent. Be vigilant.)
“Pike” (as in, for example, the “Mass. Pike”)See ‘Turnpike’
R.M.V. is “Registry of Motor Vehicles” (see D.M.V.)(Issue driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations)
Railroad CrossingA Railway ‘Level Crossing’
RampThe ‘access’ or ‘exit’ slip-road at an ‘Intersection.’
Regular  (in respect of coffee!)With milk and sugar! (Massachusetts)
Regular  (in respect of petrol or “gas”)Unleaded
Rest AreaUsually a proper ‘Service Area’ (but even on ‘Interstates,’ some are only lay-bys with portable toilets — no petrol and no food)
Restrooms (at a “Rest Area”) —  a.k.a. “Bathrooms.”Toilets
RotaryRoundabout (rare or non-existent in many states)
S.U.V. (“Sports Utility Vehicle”)4-by-4’s, often similar to Range Rovers, etc.
SedanSaloon Car
“Self” (at a “Gas Station”)Self-Service Petrol
A “Semi” (pronounced ‘seem-eye’) or an “18-wheeler.”Articulated Wagon (a.k.a. as an ‘Artic’)
Semi-trailer (see just “Semi” above) The trailer from an articulated wagon
ShoulderThe hard shoulder on the outer edge of the road
SidewalkPavement (but see “Pavement” above!)
SignalsTraffic Lights
Station Wagon (or just “Wagon”)Estate Car
Stick ShiftEither a manual-transmission car or the actual gear lever
Ticket (a.k.a. a Citation)Being reported for a traffic offense
Generally, an airport taxiway or even the runwayTarmac — Americans may look at you strangely if you talk about driving on it!
Tractor-trailerArticulated Wagon (a.k.a. as an ‘Artic’)
Traffic CircleRoundabout (rare or non-existent in many states)
Traffic SignalsTraffic Lights
(L.C.V.) Triple TrailerAn articulated wagon (“tractor-trailer”) with three trailers in tandem.
TrunkBoot
Turnpike  (often known as the “Pike”)A toll road, often of motorway standards
U-TurnA 180º turn (usually in the middle of an intersection!), but be careful, some U.S. states have signed only when this is illegal, and in others, it is only legal if a sign says you may do it.
Undivided HighwaySingle Carriageway
Van  (see also “Mini-Van” and “Cargo Van”)A “people carrier” with seats for six or more.
Wagon  (as in “Station Wagon)Estate Car

Warning Lights (also “Four-Way Flashers” and “Flashers”)

Hazard Warning Lights
Western DoubleNickname for an articulated wagon (“tractor-trailer”) with two trailers in tandem (weight under 80,000 pounds)
YieldGive Way
Zipper LaneSee ‘Commuter Lane’

Page last updated February 26, 2023.