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It’s not illegal to drive barefoot, despite what your parents might have told you when you were a teenager. There is no law in the United States that expressly prohibits driving while taking off your shoes. But that doesn’t mean it’s a great idea. It can be difficult to control the pedal with wet or painful feet. Additionally, the sturdy sole can often make it easier to apply pressure to the pedals. We investigated the potential risks of driving barefoot and local regulations to bear in mind in certain parts of the country.
If you’ve ever wondered why driving barefoot is illegal, then it’s nice to know that it’s not actually illegal anywhere in the US. But it doesn’t tell the whole story. In many places, driving barefoot is discouraged, and there are some solid reasons for that. If you are stopped by a police officer for another reason and find yourself driving barefoot, you will be quoted for negligence and you can give a ticket at the officer’s discretion.
Which states have a shoeless driving policy?
Most states do not have any specific laws or laws related to barefoot driving. However, there are still penalties for driving without shoes or socks. Why can’t you drive barefoot barefoot even if it’s technically legal? Some states will be fined at local regulations or at the discretion of individual law enforcement officers. The following table shows the states that have specific driving recommendations or rules when not wearing shoes.
| state | Policy or Recommendations |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Although it is permitted to drive barefoot in a car, motorcycle riders must wear some kind of footwear. |
| under | It is not illegal to drive barefoot a car, but motorcyclists must wear proper footwear. |
| Arizona, Arkansas, California, Nevada | It is not illegal to drive barefoot, but if barefoot contributes to an accident, you can face reckless driving or civil fines. |
| Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Main, Mainland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, New York, North Carolina, Oclana, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, West Virginia, Wyoming | Car operation by barefoot drivers are permitted. |
| Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Ohio, Wyoming | Driving barefoot is not illegal, but it is officially deemed unsafe. |
| Tennessee | Driving barefoot is not illegal, but local regulations may ban it. |
| Yuta | Though not illegal in Utah, the state’s highway patrol suggests that wearing shoes makes the vehicle easier and safer. |
| Virginia | It is not illegal, but barefoot driving is not encouraged. Instead, the driver should wear safe footwear without opening the heels. |
| Wisconsin | Driving without shoes is legal, according to the state Department of Transportation. |
If you get involved in an accident while driving barefoot, will you get into trouble?
Driving barefoot is not illegal, but doing so can lead to difficulties. For example, if a police officer is stopped for another reason, the officer may, at their discretion, give him a ticket for reckless driving.
If you are in an accident while driving barefoot, law enforcement may determine that penalties will arise because you are driving barefoot or are playing a role in the accident by wearing inappropriate shoes. For example, if you’re driving on a flip-flop and the only one in your shoe catches on a gas pedal and accelerates instead of braking at a red light, then this could be a penalty if you hit another car.
Another factor to consider is the impact this will have on your car insurance. Insurance companies will reward safe drivers with low average rates, but they may raise the fee if they are involved in an accident. Whether you’re in an accident or not, simply filing a claim with your insurance company may be enough to raise your fees. If an accident causes an injury, depending on what your insurance covers, or if the accident damages your property, your physical liability coverage may not be sufficient to pay them.
If your vehicle is damaged in an accident caused by a barefoot driver or a driver wearing inappropriate shoes, the policyholder may be unlucky unless there is full coverage that includes a collision and comprehensive insurance. These two types of coverage will damage your vehicle in a disability accident, but it is not essential in any state. In short, if you’re in an accident or are violating your records caused by driving barefoot, you can probably expect an increase in premiums.
It is unclear where the myth that driving barefoot was illegal, like many urban legends and misconceptions, began. Since most people drive with shoes, it may just be that it is generally accepted that footwear is needed to drive. In fact, you may have learned in your driver education that driving with proper footwear is safer. Choosing safe driving is one of the best ways to avoid accidents. This includes considering footwear selection.
In 1994, a man named Jason R. Heimboe of the University of Illinois at Urbana conducted a comprehensive investigation to determine whether urban legends about barefoot driving were true. He wrote to every state in the United States and was confirmed by all 50 states that driving barefoot is not illegal. His research ultimately uncovered the legend, but revealed that barefoot driving is discouraged by most states.
Driving barefoot or inappropriate footwear indicates that most states are considered potentially dangerous. Consider these scenarios. These scenarios allow you to pay more attention to your shoes when you grip the wheel.
- You come back from the day on the beach, your feet are bare, wet and sandy from the swimming. They keep slipping off the pedals, so you find it difficult to control your car.
- Without traction in a good pair of wise shoes, bare feet can’t put force on the gas and brakes, and add a few seconds to response time and cause problems when you suddenly need to brake to avoid animals, people or objects.
- You are a frontal accident caused by something other than your bare feet, but you suffer from lower limb and foot injuries because you are not wearing sturdy shoes.
- You stop for speeding and the officer notices your bare feet on the pedal. It’s not illegal, but she feels it could be dangerous and offers a ticket for reckless driving.
There is a debate that suggests that driving barefoot may be safer than wearing certain types of footwear that can hinder your abilities, such as flip-flops and high heels. However, if you can determine that driving barefoot caused an accident, there are several states and regions where you can quote you for reckless driving or negligence.
If your shoes affect the way you use the pedals or reduce your ability to measure how difficult it is to push down, you may want to rethink your footwear.
Driving while wearing some of these common shoe types can also be considered dangerous.
- Open shoes like flip-flops and sandals
- Open heel sandals
- High heels and wedge heels
- Thick sauce boots or shoes
- Long lace shoes
- Untraction shoes and slippery soles
- Slip-on shoes
We recommend wearing shoes with no heels or low heels for optimal control while driving to adjust speed and brakes. Shoes also need treads with good traction and grip. The shoes should not be too thick, so there are problems controlling the pedals.
Shoes with toes are better than nearby shoes as the shoes can catch the pedals. Shoes with long laces are dangerous as the strings can loop around the pedals. If you want to wear any of the above shoes, we recommend that you have safe shoes to wear while driving to your destination.
