to set off / start driving
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to set off
To begin a trip or journey with a vehicle, such as a car, bicycle, or train; to depart.
Wir sollten morgen früh losfahren, um den Berufsverkehr zu vermeiden.
We should set off early tomorrow morning to avoid rush hour.
'Losfahren' (to set off/start driving) is a separable verb. The prefix 'los' goes to the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Wann fahren wir morgen los?
When are we setting off tomorrow?
Since 'losfahren' (to set off/start driving) describes movement away from a place, the perfect tense is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be).
Er ist schon vor einer Stunde losgefahren.
He set off an hour ago already.
The prefix 'los-' often signals the beginning of an action. You can also find it in other verbs such as 'losgehen' (to start walking/to begin) or 'loslegen' (to get started doing something).
Sobald das Signal ertönt, können die Läufer loslaufen.
As soon as the signal sounds, the runners can start running.
You can recognize the colloquial meaning 'anfangen zu schimpfen' (to start scolding) from the fact that the context has nothing to do with a trip or a vehicle. It is about a sudden, emotional reaction by a person.
Als sie die schlechte Note sah, fuhr sie sofort los und beschwerte sich laut.
When she saw the bad grade, she immediately lashed out and complained loudly.
to start
'starten' and 'losfahren' can both refer to the beginning of a journey or trip. 'losfahren' is used especially when a person sets off in a vehicle, for example by car, bicycle, or train. 'starten' is more general: an airplane can take off, a journey can start, or you can also start the engine. Learners easily confuse the words because both have to do with the beginning of movement. As a practical rule: for a normal trip in a vehicle, 'losfahren' often sounds more natural; for airplanes, machines, or more general beginnings, 'starten' fits better.
Felix fährt nach der Nachricht sofort mit dem Auto los.
After the message, Felix immediately sets off by car.
Das Flugzeug startet heute wegen des Wetters eine Stunde später.
Because of the weather, the plane takes off an hour later today.