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.
SkyCal was overhead as the suspect, behind the wheel of a white SUV, fled from officers at speeds eclipsing 100 miles per hour on the westbound 60 Freeway in the San Gabriel Valley. Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 27 Dec. 2025 The sensation behind the wheel is a head-spinning blast of boost akin to igniting a jet afterburner. Robb Report Contributors, Robb Report, 26 Dec. 2025 Put together the Hulk Truck, which features a lift-off cab so our hero can fit behind the wheel, mega suspension, and actual spinning wheels. Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025 The service requires a human driver behind the wheel at all times. Mike Winters,lora Kolodny, CNBC, 21 Dec. 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 28 Dec. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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