Legal Definitions - driver

A driver is a person who operates and steers a vehicle. The term can also refer to an individual who herds animals, sometimes called a drover.

A driver is an individual who operates and controls the movement of a vehicle. This involves actively steering, accelerating, and braking to direct the vehicle's path and speed.

• Example 1 (Personal Vehicle Operation):

  During a family vacation, Mark was the designated driver for the 8-hour journey, ensuring everyone arrived safely at their destination. He was responsible for navigating the route and adhering to all traffic laws.

  Explanation: Mark is considered the driver because he was actively operating the car, controlling its speed and direction, and was therefore legally responsible for its safe operation on the road.

• Example 2 (Commercial Transportation):

  A professional delivery driver for a logistics company completed their daily route, delivering packages to various businesses and residences across the city.

  Explanation: In this scenario, the individual is a driver because they are professionally engaged in operating a commercial vehicle to transport goods, demonstrating control over the vehicle's movement and adherence to commercial driving regulations.

• Example 3 (Off-Road/Specialized Vehicle):

  At a construction site, the excavator driver carefully maneuvered the heavy machinery to dig a trench for a new foundation, following the site supervisor's instructions.

  Explanation: Even though an excavator is not a typical road vehicle, the individual operating it is still considered a driver because they are actively controlling and directing the movement of a piece of machinery, demonstrating the core definition of operating a vehicle.