What is...

[Lavender]

...The title of a person who drives a pony and trap or horse and carriage? You know, the guy you see in films who sits on a little seat in front of the carriage with a whip and drives the horses on? What are they called?
Thanks guys.

P.S. Back on the forum after a long time away!

[Lawfire]

I believe "coachman" is the proper term. In the Old West the seat next to him was considered "riding shotgun," due to the weapon that person usually held.

[Devor]

There's also nothing wrong with "driver."

[Caged Maiden]

I use both interchangeably, but prefer driver. It's weird how you write people into books with mundane jobs and never stop to think about what you call them and why, you just go with what feels right.

[Lawfire]

You piqued my curiosity with the question. I was wondering what the other attendants were called.

According to Wikipedia (for what it is worth):

A man whose business was to drive a carriage was a coachman. A servant in livery called a footman or piquer formerly served in attendance upon a rider or was required to run before his master's carriage to clear the way. An attendant on horseback called an outrider often rode ahead of or next to a carriage. A carriage starter directed the flow of vehicles taking on passengers at the curbside. A hackneyman hired out horses and carriages.

[lawrence]

The Post Office coaches were fascinating. Back when the Postal service started, these coaches would hurtle along very hazardous roads, they sounded trumpet-like horns and carried an assortment of weapons including flintlock pistols. Loads of great story material in there. It was really cool hearing how something now so mundane as the post (mail) was a frontier of danger and bravery. Actually...still is, all postmen have to face dogs and many have the bite marks to show. Guess it's better than a bullet hole though. Sorry, bit off-topic.

[Eeirail]

It is a coachman as far as I am aware.

[grahamguitarman]

Definitely a Coachman here in the UK, may be different in USA but I doubt it. I live just off the old Great North Road which was the main primary coaching road from London to Edingburgh, and we actually have a ghost coachman haunting our house!

[Lavender]

Some great info here guys, thanks for replying. I may go with "driver", for the simplicity. Very interesting to know that a person who hired out horses is called a "hackneyman" too,

[ThinkerX]

'Teamster' or 'carter' might also be acceptable in some instances, especially if it is a wagon or cart carrying goods, rather than people.