driver's seat

noun

1. the seat from which a vehicle is operated.
2. a position of power, dominance, control, or superiority:

   After the election the Democrats were back in the driver's seat.

Word History and Origins

Origin of driver's seat¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

While this may be more of a hassle, it puts you in the driver’s seat when it comes to allocating your dollars.

From Salon

“This weekend I’m excited to move out of the driver’s seat and into the owner’s box for the first time,” said Shumake, who plans to mimic the old-school owners he grew up watching by clenching a cigar between his teeth while standing among the fuel fumes at the starting line.

From Los Angeles Times

The pill-shaped vehicle is essentially one giant cabin on wheels, featuring two spacious benches facing each other and no middle or driver’s seat.

From Los Angeles Times

Creating a will is your way to get back into the driver’s seat, so you know when you’re gone from this mortal plane that your wishes are being carried out how you want them to be.

From Salon

Minutes before she was due to get back in her car after visiting a friend, a bomb fell through the roof above the driver’s seat, ripping through one side of the vehicle and leaving it a mangled mess of metal, plastic and glass.

From BBC