Is It Illegal to Drive Barefoot?

There's something exciting about being behind the wheel—the power of the car, the feel of speed, the freedom of movement. But there are plenty of rules surrounding driving, and for good reason. Irresponsible driving can be very dangerous, putting the safety of everyone on the road in jeopardy.

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There's long been an urban legend surrounding it being illegal to drive barefoot due to the perceived risk, now repeated widely from coast to coast with no clear origin. If you've ever considered driving barefoot, here's what you need to know about staying safe — and avoiding tickets — when on the road, even if it's not actually illegal in your area.

Is There Any Truth to the Urban Legend? Is It Illegal to Drive Barefoot?

You've probably heard it from parents, friends or even driving instructors: You shouldn't drive barefoot because it's illegal and you could get in trouble with the police. But is it actually illegal to get in the driver's seat without shoes?

You may be surprised to learn that no, it's not illegal to drive barefoot. It's ill-advised and could be dangerous, but not actually illegal. This means that if you're on the road and get pulled over, there'll be no additional tickets or charges based on your preference for shoeless driving unless there are extenuating circumstances at play. On a federal and state level, police can't pull you over simply for driving barefoot, nor can you face points against your license or other legal issues.

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Are There Any Places in the United States Where It's Illegal to Drive Barefoot?

There are no states where it's actually illegal to drive barefoot, despite the prevalence of the urban legend. This may seem hard to believe, especially for people who grew up hearing this from childhood or were taught this in drivers' education, but the specific act of driving without shoes isn't illegal on a state or federal level. Whether cities, towns, or counties have imposed their own rules, however, may come into play, so if you like to drive barefoot, make sure you check on a local level.

To test this, in the 1990s, a researcher named Jason Heimbaugh wrote letters to government officials in each of the 50 states to confirm that driving while barefoot isn't illegal. He received affirmative responses back from all.

However, it's important to note that while driving barefoot is not specifically illegal, it doesn't mean the activity couldn't factor into other traffic violations. Say, for example, you can't stop your car in time when someone in front of you brakes and you rear-end them. Should the police notice you're driving barefoot and deem this to have contributed to the accident, you could still be charged with reckless driving.

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Should You Drive Barefoot Anyway?

Even though it's not illegal, driving barefoot still isn't a good idea. Barefoot driving is less safe and less secure than wearing proper footwear. Shoes with treads make gripping the pedals easier, reducing the risk of feet slipping while driving. Without proper traction, it may be hard to brake in time, raising the likelihood of accidents. Even drivers seasoned in barefoot driving can be caught off guard by the feeling of car pedals against skin, increasing the odds of getting a ticket for other moving violations or ending up in a crash.

There may be exceptions here, particularly in the case of uncomfortable shoes like high heels. Driving properly in heels can be a challenge, as the presence of heels changes the angle of the foot placement drivers are used to using, meaning the pressure normally applied to speed up or slow down might not be adequate. In these kinds of instances, barefoot driving may be a safer option. Flip-flops can be dangerous, too; the flexible material can easily catch on the pedals and get stuck, obstructing braking.

Despite urban legends, driving barefoot isn't illegal, and this is unlikely to change any time soon. However, it's still not a good idea; driving with sturdy shoes is the best way to stay safe behind the wheel.