behind the wheel

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 wheel …—Karina 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.
Ellison, who is fifty-five, was slouched behind the wheel with the heater blowing on him. — Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 The Chihuahua was behind the wheel of a tiny car while Huckabay’s wife operated the remote control. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 4 July 2026 Duffy said the move was intended to hold states accountable for ensuring only qualified and properly vetted drivers were allowed behind the wheel of commercial trucks. — Elaine Mallon , James Cirrone , Bill Melugin, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026 According to the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, preliminary statements obtained at the scene suggest the truck driver may have fallen asleep behind the wheel. — Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 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

Rhymes for behind the wheel

See All Rhymes for behind the wheel

Browse Nearby Words

behind the times
behind the wheel
behite
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Behind the wheel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/behind%20the%20wheel. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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