noun
honorarium for transportation costs
A polite monetary gift given to cover travel expenses, often at formal events like weddings or funerals.
結婚式の招待状にお車代を同封した。
I enclosed a transportation honorarium with the wedding invitation.
noun
travel expense gift for wedding guests
Specifically the custom of wedding hosts giving money to guests who have traveled a long distance.
遠方から来てくれた友人にお車代を渡した。
I gave travel expense money to a friend who came from far away.
Compound of polite prefix お + 車 (car, vehicle) + 代 (fee, charge). Literally 'carriage fare', used as a polite monetary gift.