Is the word motorista the same in Brazilian and European Portuguese?

Yes. The spelling and meaning of the word are identical in both dialects. The differences lie in pronunciation and the surrounding vocabulary. In many Brazilian dialects, the "t" in "motorista" is pronounced as a "ch" sound (/tʃ/), whereas in Portugal, it is a clear "t" (/t/). Additionally, while "motorista" is used in both, Portuguese speakers often prefer the word "condutor" for car drivers and use different terms for vehicles, such as "autocarro" instead of "ônibus."

Brazilian Portuguese

1. O motorista parou no sinal. (The driver stopped at the light.)
2. Chamei um motorista de aplicativo. (I called an app-based driver.)
3. O motorista do ônibus é muito gentil. (The bus driver is very kind.)
4. O motorista do caminhão chegou. (The truck driver has arrived.)
5. O motorista dirigiu com cuidado. (The driver drove carefully.)

Continental Portuguese

1. O condutor parou no semáforo. (The driver stopped at the traffic light.)
2. Chamei um motorista da Uber. (I called an Uber driver.)
3. O motorista do autocarro é muito gentil. (The bus driver is very kind.)
4. O condutor do camião chegou. (The truck driver has arrived.)
5. O condutor conduziu com cuidado. (The driver drove carefully.)