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.
Patton was arrested in a traffic stop in mid-July in the city's Dinkytown district, with Depratto behind the wheel at the time and three others inside. — Wcco Staff, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026 Purchased in 1997, the Ferrari made its most notable cameo with Jordan behind the wheel following Game 6 of the 1997 NBA Finals, where Jordan and the 1990s Chicago Bulls dynasty secured their fifth championship. — Benjamin Burrows, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 At some point on the short route to his school, Grant — apparently tired from a day of classes and extracurriculars — drifted off behind the wheel of his car and went over the yellow line and into oncoming traffic. — Susan Young, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026 Having a driver could mean the 25-year-old spends less time behind the wheel and, in turn, has fewer opportunities to be involved in an accident. — Chantz Martin Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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