Terminology & Definitions

1. Alternator: The important piece of electrical kit that charges the battery. Always visible at the front of the engine compartment. 2. Automotive Lighting: The lighting system of a motor vehicle consists of lighting and signalling devices mounted or integrated to the front, sides, rear, and in some cases the top of the motor vehicle. The purpose of this system is to provide illumination for the driver to operate the vehicle safely after dark, to increase the conspicuity of the vehicle, and to display information about the vehicle's presence, position, size, direction of travel, and driver's intentions regarding direction and speed of travel 3. Blind Spot: The typical blind spot for a driver is behind the left shoulder. If you are parked on the left hand side of the road and pulling back into the right hand lane then your blind spot will be over your right shoulder. Truck drivers have quite a sizable blind spot so be very careful when overtaking a truck to get out of the blind spot quickly in case the driver is thinking of changing lanes or overtaking a slower vehicle ahead of him. 4. Brake Pads: Convert the kinetic energy of the car to thermal energy by friction. Two brake pads are contained in the brake caliper with their friction surfaces facing the rotor.[1] When the brakes are hydraulically applied, the caliper clamps or squeezes the two pads together into the spinning rotor to slow/stop the vehicle. 5. Braking Distance: Distance a vehicle will travel from the point where its brakes are fully applied to when it comes to a complete stop. 6. Coolant: The chemical fluid used in the cooling system. Water on its own is not used in any cars today .This is usually replaced every two years. 7. Defensive Driving: Driving to save lives, time, and money, in spite of the conditions around you and the actions of others. 8. Dipstick: The device used for checking the oil level in every car. Not always easy to spot unless the particular manufacturer has taken the trouble to color-code the important pieces of equipment. 9. Door-to-Door: Takes place when the instructor picks you up at the start of the lessons and then drops you off at the end of the lesson at a location of your choice. 10. Driver License: A driver's license/licence is an official document which states that a person may operate a motorized vehicle, such as a motorcycle, car, truck or a bus, on a public roadway. As most US and Canadian citizens of driving age have a driver's license, it has become the de facto form of picture identification in those two countries. The laws relating to driver's licensing vary between jurisdictions. In some jurisdictions, a driver's license is issued after the recipient has passed a driving test, while in others, a person acquires a licence before beginning to drive. 11. Driver training: Term that has been used interchangeably with Driver's Ed. However, in states (eg, California) where online education is utilized, Driver Training specifically refers to the practical, or what is known as "behind the wheel" lessons. In states that still require classroom education, the term is still used interchangeably with Driver's Ed. 12. Driving Lessons: Independent learning events where a novice driver is taught how to drive an automobile. Typically, these are progressive in nature and include both the theory (classroom or online) and practical (behind the wheel) training of a novice driver. 13. Driving School: Company that employs professional driving instructors and has the expertise to train novice drivers on driving an automobile. Some modern driving schools actually develop their own programs based on research from leading universities. 14. Dual Controls: A system that allows the driving instructor, sitting in the front passenger seat to take control of the brake and accelerator. 15. DUI: Also known as Driving Under Influence, or driving while intoxicated (DWI), is the act of driving a motor vehicle with blood levels of alcohol in excess of specified limits. This is considered a criminal offense in United States. Convictions do not necessarily involve driving of a vehicle. There is no need to prove impairment as long as the limit of blood level is exceeded.

16. Learner Permit: A driver's permit, learner's permit or learner's license, is a restricted license that is given to a person who is learning to drive, but has not yet satisfied the requirements to obtain a driver's license. Having a driver's permit for a certain length of time is usually one of the requirements (along with driver's education and a road test) for applying for a full driver's license. To get a learner's permit, one must typically pass a written test about rules of the road, although the process varies between jurisdictions. 17. Motor Vehicle: Vehicle whose propulsion is provided by an engine or motor such as an internal combustion engine, electric motor, combination of the two - hybrid electric vehicle, or some other method. 18. Parallel Parking: Parallel parking is a method of parking a vehicle in line with other parked cars. Cars parked in parallel are in one line, parallel to the curb, with the front bumper of each car facing the back bumper of the adjacent one. Parallel parking requires initially driving the car in reverse gear into the parking space. 19. Refresher Lessons: Lessons for qualified drivers who haven't driven for a period of time and need to brush-up on their skills or need a little extra confidence. 20. Road Rage Aggressive or angry behavior by a driver of an automobile. Such behavior might include rude gestures, verbal insults, deliberately driving in an unsafe or threatening manner, or making threats. 21. Road Test: A driving test (also known as a driving exam) is a procedure designed to test a person's ability to drive a motor vehicle. It exists in various forms worldwide, and is often a requirement to pass the exam to obtain a driver's license. A driving test generally consists of one or two parts; the practical test, called a road test, used to assess a person's driving ability under normal operating conditions, and a written or oral test (theory test) to confirm a person's knowledge of driving and relevant rules and laws. 22. Road Traffic Control: Involves directing vehicular and pedestrian traffic around a construction zone, accident or other road disruption, thus ensuring the safety of emergency response teams, construction workers and the general public. 23. Road-Traffic Safety: Indication of how safe individual users are on some particular road, or on the roads belonging to some region. The main danger to road users is the likelihood of a traffic collision. 24. Skid Steer: A skid steer is a vehicle maneuvered by skid steering, a method of steering through braking or engaging tracks or wheels on one side of a vehicle. The skid steering vehicle is turned by generating differential velocity at the opposite sides of the vehicle, as the wheels or tracks are nonsteerable (fixed position). 25. Speed Limit: Road speed limits are used in most countries to regulate the speed of road vehicles. Speed limits may define maximum (which may be variable), minimum or no speed limit and are normally indicated using a traffic sign. Speed limits are commonly set by the legislative bodies of nations or provincial governments and enforced by national or regional police and / or judicial bodies. 26. Tailgating: Practice of driving on a road too close to the vehicle in front, at a distance which does not guarantee that stopping to avoid collision is possible. Approximately one third of rear-end collisions involve tailgating. 27. Traffic Collision: Occurs when a vehicle collides with another vehicle, pedestrian, animal, road debris, or other stationary obstruction, such as a tree or utility pole. Traffic collisions may result in injury, death and property damage. 28. Traffic Congestion: Condition on road networks that occurs as use increases, and is characterized by slower speeds, longer trip times, and increased vehicular queuing. The most common example is the physical use of roads by vehicles. 29. Traffic Light: Signaling devices positioned at road intersections, pedestrian crossings and other locations to control competing flows of traffic. 30. Two Second Rule: Rule of thumb by which a driver may maintain a safe following distance at any speed. The driver should ideally stay at least two seconds behind any vehicle that is directly in front of the driver's vehicle.

Glossary of American and British Driving Terminology

U.S.A.
An "All-Way Stop" (sometimes a.k.a. a 4-Way Stop) Backing Up Bathrooms (at a "Rest Area") -- a.k.a. "Restrooms" Bicyclist Cargo Van (see also "Van" and "Mini-Van") Carpool Lane (a.k.a. a 'Diamond' or 'H.O.V.' Lane) Citation Commuter Lane Coupe (pronounced "koop") Crosswalk Cruiser Curve Diamond Lane (a.k.a. Carpool or H.O.V. Lane) DMV is "Dept. of Motor Vehicles" (also see RMV) DUI DWAI DWI Directionals Divided Highway Defogger (LCV) Double Trailer Emergency Brake Emergency Signals Expressway Flashers (also "Four-Way Flashers" and "Warning Lights) Four-Way Four-Way Stop (a.k.a. an All Way Stop) Freeway

U.K.
A crossroads or multiple junction at which traffic from all directions must stop at a 'Stop' sign or a stop line. Reversing (Americans seemingly never say "reversing") Toilets Cyclist A van for the carriage of goods Lanes restricted to vehicles with multiple passengers Being reported by the police for a traffic offence A central lane which is used for traffic in different directions at different times of day, sometimes between movable concrete barriers (hence the 'zipper' reference, below) Coup (pronounced 'koop-ay') Pedestrian Crossing Police Patrol Car Bend Lanes restricted to vehicles with multiple passengers (Issue drivers' licences and vehicle registrations) Driving Under the Influence of alcohol Driving While Ability Impaired (through alcohol) Driving While Intoxicated Indicators Dual Carriageway Heated Rear Window An articulated wagon ("tractor-trailer") with two trailers, in tandem. (Only an LCV if over 80,000 pounds) A misleading name for the Handbrake Hazard Lights Motorway Hazard Lights Crossroads A crossroads at which traffic from all directions must stop at a 'Stop' sign or a stop line. Dual Carriageway; usually a Motorway equivalent

Full (or "Full Service") at a "Gas Station" Gas Gas Pedal (or just "the gas") Gas Station A "Grade" (often just a "hill") H.O.V. (High-Occupancy Vehicle) Lane (q.v. Carpool) Highway Hood A number, preceded by the letter "I," such as "I-90" Intersection "Interstate," or "Interstate Highway" "Jct 78" (any number)

Attendants will put your petrol in. Asking for "ten regular" will get you ten dollars worth, not ten gallons Petrol (See "Regular") Accelerator Petrol Station Hill Lanes restricted to vehicles with multiple passengers This generally means a dual carriageway of motorway standards but it can also be used for any road with two or more lanes Bonnet This is an Interstate Highway (q.v.) Any road junction, on major and minor roads Motorway Sign on the approach to a junction with the relevant road An articulated wagon ("tractor-trailer") with either two or three trailers, in tandem. ("Double Trailers" are only LCVs if over 80,000 pounds) Traffic Lights Central Reserve A "people carrier" with seats for six or more. A One-Way Street or, in some states, the correct side of a Divided Highway (q.v.) Contrary to what it may sound like, it is a road. The road surface. Do not confuse this with Sidewalk! Road Markings (But beware! On the approach to 'Stop' junctions, etc., these are usually absent. Be vigilant.) See 'Turnpike' (Issue drivers' licences and vehicle registrations) A Railway 'Level Crossing' The 'access' or 'exit' slip-road at an 'Intersection' With milk and sugar! (Massachusetts) Unleaded Usually a proper 'Service Area' (but even on 'Interstates', some are only lay-bys with portable toilets -- no petrol and no food) Toilets

LCV ("longer combination vehicle") Lights Median Mini Van (see also "Van" and "Cargo Van") One Way Parkway Pavement Pavement Markings "Pike" (as in, for example, the "Mass. Pike") R.M.V. is "Registry of Motor Vehicles" (see DMV) Railroad Crossing Ramp Regular (in respect of coffee!) Regular (in respect of petrol, or "gas") Rest Area Restrooms (at a "Rest Area") -- a.k.a. "Bathrooms"

Rotary S.U.V. ("Sports Utility Vehicle") Sedan "Self" (at a "Gas Station") A "Semi" (pronounced 'semm-eye') or an "18-wheeler" Semi-trailer (see just "Semi", above) Shoulder Sidewalk Signals Station Wagon (or just "Wagon") Stick Shift Ticket (a.k.a. a Citation) Generally an airport taxiway or even the runway Tractor-trailer Traffic Circle Traffic Signals (LCV) Triple Trailer Trunk Turnpike (often known as the "Pike") U-Turn Undivided Highway Van (see also "Mini-Van" and "Cargo Van") Wagon (as in "Station Wagon) Warning Lights (also "Four-Way Flashers" and "Flashers") Western Double Yield Zipper Lane

Roundabout (rare or non-existent in many states) 4-by-4's, often similar to Range Rovers, etc. Saloon Car Self-Service Petrol Articulated Wagon (a.k.a. as an 'Artic') The trailer from an articulated wagon The hard shoulder, on the outer edge of the road Pavement (but see "Pavement", above!) Traffic Lights Estate Car Either a manual-transmission car or the actual gear lever Being reported for a traffic offence Tarmac -- Americans may look at you very strangely if you talk about driving on it! Articulated Wagon (a.k.a. as an 'Artic') Roundabout (rare or non-existent in many states) Traffic Lights An articulated wagon ("tractor-trailer") with three trailers, in tandem. Boot A toll-road, often of motorway standards A 180 turn (usually in the middle of an intersection!) but be careful, some U.S. states have signs only when this is illegal and in others it is only legal if a sign says you may do it. Single Carriageway A "people carrier" with seats for six or more. Estate Car Hazard Warning Lights Nickname for an articulated wagon ("tractortrailer") with 2 trailers, in tandem (weight under 80,000 pounds) Give Way See 'Commuter Lane'