behind the wheel

idiomatic phrase

: in the act of driving
I was nervous my first time behind the wheel.
He urged drivers to stop and rest if they feel tired behind the wheel.Yaron Steinbuch
… will start enforcing a requirement for commercial truck drivers travelling between provinces to track their hours behind the wheelKarina Zapata

Examples of behind the wheel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The chances of encountering a big rig on the road without a driver behind the wheel are growing as autonomous commercial trucking companies further develop their systems, enter into key partnerships and expand their operating territories. Ed Garsten, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025 People want assurances that cars with no one behind the wheel will behave predictably and safely. Joann Muller, Axios, 21 May 2025 Fortunately, the people behind the wheel of those two cars were able to get the players to Liberty Memorial, where a rally was held. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 19 May 2025 But not Riverside’s, where officials say the whole route is mapped out and the person behind the wheel is there for just-in-case scenarios, helping passengers and communicating back with RTA headquarters, according to Assistant City Manager Rafael Guzman. Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for behind the wheel

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of behind the wheel was in 1906

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Cite this Entry

“Behind the wheel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/behind%20the%20wheel. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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