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Terminology & Definitions

1. Alternator:The important piece of electrical kit that charges the battery. Always visible at the front ofthe engine compartment.

2. Automotive Lighting:The lighting system of a motor vehicle consists of lighting and signalling devicesmounted 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 lefthand 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 arecontained 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 carstoday .This is usually replaced every two years.

7. Defensive Driving:Driving to save lives, time, and money, in spite of the conditions around you andthe actions of others.

8. Dipstick:The device used for checking the oil level in every car. Not always easy to spot unless theparticular 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 thendrops 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 mayoperate a motorized vehicle, such as a motorcycle, car, truck or a bus, on a public roadway. Asmost 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 anautomobile. Typically, these are progressive in nature and include both the theory (classroom oronline) and practical (behind the wheel) training of a novice driver.

13.Driving School:Company that employs professional driving instructors and has the expertise to trainnovice 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 takecontrol of the brake and accelerator.

15.DUI:Also known as Driving Under Influence, or driving while intoxicated (DWI), is the act of drivinga 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.

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16. Learner Permit:A driver's permit, learner's permit or learner's license, is a restricted license that isgiven 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 internalcombustion 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 tobrush-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 includerude 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'sability to drive a motor vehicle. It exists in various forms worldwide, and is often a requirement topass 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 theroads 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 throughbraking 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 non-

steerable (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 notguarantee 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 byslower 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 otherlocations to control competing flows of traffic.

30. Two Second Rule: Rule of thumb by which a driver may maintain a safe following distance at anyspeed. The driver should ideally stay at least two seconds behind any vehicle that is directly in front

of the driver's vehicle.

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Glossary of American and British Driving Terminology

U.S.A. U.K.

An "All-Way Stop" (sometimes a.k.a. a 4-Way Stop)A crossroads or multiple junction at which trafficfrom all directions must stop at a 'Stop' sign or astop line.

Backing UpReversing (Americans seemingly never say"reversing")

Bathrooms (at a "Rest Area") -- a.k.a. "Restrooms" Toilets

Bicyclist Cyclist

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 restricted to vehicles with multiplepassengers

Citation Being reported by the police for a traffic offence

Commuter Lane

A central lane which is used for traffic in differentdirections at different times of day, sometimes

between movable concrete barriers (hence the'zipper' reference, below)

Coupe(pronounced "koop") Coup (pronounced 'koop-ay')

Crosswalk Pedestrian Crossing

Cruiser Police Patrol Car

Curve Bend

Diamond Lane (a.k.a. Carpool or H.O.V. Lane)Lanes restricted to vehicles with multiplepassengers

DMV is "Dept. of Motor Vehicles" (also see RMV) (Issue drivers' licences and vehicle registrations)

DUI Driving Under the Influence of alcoholDWAI Driving While Ability Impaired (through alcohol)

DWI Driving While Intoxicated

Directionals Indicators

Divided Highway Dual Carriageway

Defogger Heated Rear Window

(LCV) Double TrailerAn articulated wagon ("tractor-trailer") with twotrailers, in tandem. (Only an LCV if over 80,000pounds)

Emergency Brake A misleading name for the HandbrakeEmergency Signals Hazard Lights

Expressway Motorway

Flashers (also "Four-Way Flashers" and "WarningLights)

Hazard Lights

Four-Way Crossroads

Four-Way Stop (a.k.a. an All Way Stop)A crossroads at which traffic from all directionsmust stop at a 'Stop' sign or a stop line.

Freeway Dual Carriageway; usually a Motorway equivalent

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Full (or "Full Service") at a "Gas Station"Attendants will put your petrol in. Askingfor "ten regular"will get you ten dollars worth, notten gallons

Gas Petrol (See "Regular")

Gas Pedal (or just "the gas") Accelerator

Gas Station Petrol Station

A "Grade" (often just a "hill") Hill

H.O.V. (High-Occupancy Vehicle) Lane (q.v. Carpool)Lanes restricted to vehicles with multiplepassengers

HighwayThis generally means a dual carriageway ofmotorway standards but it can also be used forany road with two or more lanes

Hood Bonnet

A number, preceded by the letter "I," such as "I-90" This is an Interstate Highway(q.v.)

Intersection Any road junction, on major and minor roads

"Interstate," or "Interstate Highway" Motorway

"Jct 78" (any number)Sign on the approach to a junction with therelevant road

LCV ("longer combination vehicle")

An articulated wagon ("tractor-trailer") witheither two or three trailers, in tandem.("Double Trailers" are only LCVs if over 80,000pounds)

Lights Traffic Lights

Median Central 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 correctside of a Divided Highway(q.v.)

Parkway Contrary to what it may sound like, it is a road.

PavementThe road surface. Do not confuse thiswith Sidewalk!

Pavement MarkingsRoad Markings (But beware! On the approach to'Stop' junctions, etc., these are usually absent. Bevigilant.)

"Pike" (as in, for example, the "Mass. Pike") See 'Turnpike'

R.M.V. is "Registry of Motor Vehicles" (see DMV) (Issue drivers' licences and vehicle registrations)

Railroad Crossing A Railway 'Level Crossing'

Ramp The '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 portabletoilets -- no petrol and no food)

Restrooms (at a "Rest Area") -- a.k.a. "Bathrooms" Toilets

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Rotary Roundabout (rare or non-existent in many states)

S.U.V.("Sports Utility Vehicle") 4-by-4's, often similar to Range Rovers, etc.

Sedan Saloon Car

"Self" (at a "Gas Station") Self-Service Petrol

A "Semi" (pronounced 'semm-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

Shoulder The hard shoulder, on the outer edge of the road

Sidewalk Pavement (but see "Pavement", above!)

Signals Traffic Lights

Station Wagon (or just "Wagon") Estate Car

Stick ShiftEither a manual-transmission car or the actual gearlever

Ticket (a.k.a. a Citation) Being reported for a traffic offence

Generally an airport taxiway or even the runwayTarmac -- Americans may look at you verystrangely if you talk about driving on it!

Tractor-trailer Articulated Wagon (a.k.a. as an 'Artic')

Traffic Circle Roundabout (rare or non-existent in many states)

Traffic Signals Traffic Lights

(LCV) Triple TrailerAn articulated wagon ("tractor-trailer") with threetrailers, in tandem.

Trunk Boot

Turnpike (often known as the "Pike") A toll-road, often of motorway standards

U-Turn

A 180 turn (usually in the middle of anintersection!) but be careful, some U.S. states have

signs only when this is illegal and in others it isonly legal if a sign says you may do it.

Undivided Highway Single 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 2 trailers, in tandem (weight under80,000 pounds)

Yield Give Way

Zipper Lane See 'Commuter Lane'