Car vocabulary in Britain and America

British and American English words for cars and roads

Mar 13, 2024

high-angle photography of road at night — Photo by Robin Pierre on Unsplash

Hello everyone!

I have a vocabulary lesson for you today about UK and US English. You can learn the British words, the American words or both! A lot of these words will be useful if you’re watching TV shows or films (or movies in the USA). If you watch both British and American shows, I recommend learning both.

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driving licence (UK) / driver's license (USA)
The paper or card that says you have passed your test and are allowed to drive. Notice the different spelling of licence / license. I still have to check this one in the dictionary sometimes!

number plate or registration plate (UK) / license plate (USA)
A piece of metal or plastic with numbers and letters on it, found on the front and back of a vehicle and used to identify it.

tyre (UK) / tire (USA)
The black rubber part of the wheel.

boot (UK) / trunk (USA)
The space in the back of the car where you can put shopping or suitcases.

bonnet (UK) / hood (USA)
This is like a door that covers the engine.

windscreen (UK) / windshield (USA)
This is the name of the front window.

accelerator (UK) / gas pedal (USA)
The thing you push with your foot to make the car go.

indicator (UK) / turn signal (USA)
A light that the driver uses to tell other drivers that he is about to turn left or right

petrol (UK) / gas (USA)
The liquid you put in the car at the petrol / gas station to make it go.

manual car (UK) / stick shift (USA)
A car in which you have to operate the gears. The opposite is an automatic. (By the way most cars in the UK are manual but most Americans drive an automatic.)

lorry (UK) / truck (USA)
A large vehicle used for carrying heavy goods.

overtake (UK) / pass (USA)
To get past another vehicle which is going more slowly

pavement (UK) / sidewalk (USA)
This is the path next to the road where people can walk.

car park (UK) / parking lot (USA)
A large outdoor area with many spaces for people to park their cars.

multistorey car park (UK) / parking garage (USA)
A building with many levels for parking a car.

crossroads (UK) / intersection (USA)
Where two roads cross each other, like a letter X.

motorway (UK) / freeway (USA)
A wide road with several lanes for fast travel. There are no traffic lights or roundabouts. You enter or exit the road by using a slip road (UK English).

slip road (UK) / ramp (USA)
A road that allows traffic to drive onto or off a main road easily.

pedestrian crossing (UK) / crosswalk (USA)
A place where pedestrians (people on foot) can cross the road safely.

If you like this lesson, you might also enjoy this one about food vocabulary.