Conductor vs. chófer
The Spanish language has two words to refer to someone who drives a vehicle - conductor and chófer. These words are often used interchangeably, but they have subtle differences in their connotations and usage.
Conductor
A1Conductor is a common term in Spanish that literally translates to driver. This can be used for anyone who operates a vehicle, regardless of profession.
Mi padre es el conductor del coche.
(My father is the driver of the car.)
El conductor del autobús se detuvo para dejar entrar a los pasajeros.
(The bus driver stopped to let the passengers in.)
Chófer
B1Chófer is derived from the French word chauffeur, meaning stoker and is an old term used when cars needed someone to stoke engines. But today, it translates to driver, usually referring to those driving as a job or service, such as taxi drivers, personal drivers or chauffeurs.
El chófer del taxi se conoce todas las calles de la ciudad.
(The taxi driver knows all the streets in the city.)
Mi jefe tiene un chófer personal que le lleva a todos sus asuntos.
(My boss has a personal driver who takes him to all his affairs.)
Summary
Conductor and chófer can both refer to someone who drives a vehicle. However, while conductor is a more general term and can be used to refer to anyone operating a vehicle, chófer has professional nuance, usually referring to people who drive for work or provide a driving service.