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 wheel …

—Karina Zapata

Examples of behind the wheel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Boosie, who was riding in a BMW, was reportedly not behind the wheel. —Vivian Kwarm, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2025

While the armed robbery would fall within policy, Burmeister said, a chase six days later means officers don’t know who is behind the wheel. —Katie Moore, Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2025

Hopefully, a crackdown on those who fail to obey the law or engage in unsafe practices behind the wheel will bring them to their senses. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2025

Honda scored its first victory that year at the Mexican Grand Prix, with Richie Ginther behind the wheel. —Luke Smith, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for behind the wheel

• automobile
• periosteal
• peritoneal
• abele
• alkyl
• anneal
• appeal
• cartwheel
• conceal
• congeal
• coquille
• corneal