Trainers, loafers, and other soft shoes with thin soles are ideal for driving but can still cause your feet to hurt, especially during long trips. You might have experienced this yourself and felt like throwing away your shoes.
This brings up the question, is driving barefoot illegal? Contrary to popular belief, there are no laws against barefoot driving in the U.S. Even so, what you wear (or don’t wear) on your feet matters when you’re driving.
Here we take a look at barefoot driving, the potential dangers, and what’s really safe.
Is It Illegal to Drive Barefoot in My State?
In 2023, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) shared a social media update on barefoot driving, saying that “it is perfectly legal to drive a vehicle in California without wearing anything on your feet.”
In fact, regardless of where in the U.S. you live, there are no federal or state laws to prohibit barefoot driving. But people have wondered about the legality of barefoot driving for a long time. So much so that in 1994, an Illinois man wrote a letter to every single state police department asking them this question! (It has since become internet legend, and much of what we know comes from his efforts.)
Here’s an overview of how each U.S. state handles barefoot driving.
| Legal? | Considerations | |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | Except for motorcycles, you can operate any type of motor vehicle barefoot. |
| Alaska | Yes | You can drive a car, but not a motorcycle, barefoot. |
| Arizona, Arkansas, California, Nevada | Yes | Barefoot driving is permitted but can result in civil and criminal penalties if it contributes to an accident. |
| Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Washington, D.C., Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Utah | Yes | No law forbids driving without shoes. |
| Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, Virginia, Wyoming | Yes | Barefoot driving is legal but not recommended. Authorities deem this practice unsafe. |
| Missouri | Yes | There is no law against barefoot driving. This practice may be safer than wearing heels, wedges, or flip-flops. |
| Tennessee | Yes | Barefoot driving is permitted at the state level, but some counties may take legal action against it. |
Why Do People Believe Driving Barefoot Is Illegal or Unsafe?
Driving barefoot is not and has never been illegal in the U.S. Yet, many people are not aware of this – and thousands of people ask this question on the internet every single month.
But how did this misconception arise?
A possible explanation is that some states advise against barefoot driving. While there are no laws against barefoot driving in Virginia, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, and Wyoming, state officials deem it unsafe.
For example, Steven Tudor, a senior examiner at the Iowa Department of Transportation, Office of Driver Services, said in an interview that driving without shoes can affect one’s ability to control the vehicle’s pedals. As a result, it may increase the risk of a crash.
The confusion around barefoot driving may also stem from the fact that this practice is not permitted for motorcycle riders in some states. Although operating a motorcycle without shoes is prohibited in only two states, Alabama and Alaska, it’s possible that such laws have impacted public perceptions around barefoot driving.
Another explanation is that most stores, restaurants, airlines, workplaces, and other establishments don’t allow people to walk in barefoot. So, it’s natural to assume that you can’t drive barefoot either.
In one survey, respondents said they walk barefoot inside their homes (98.3%), around their neighborhoods (84.5%), or in outdoor parks (84.8%). By comparison, fewer than 40% stick to this habit when visiting retail stores. Only 25.4% go barefoot in restaurants, and a mere 23.7% ditch their shoes while at work or school. And this survey mostly included barefoot enthusiasts – perhaps even they believe driving barefoot is illegal!
One thing to keep in mind is that while it’s legal to drive shoeless, you may still get fined for it if the officer considers it a contributing factor to an accident or the cause of another offense.
If that happens, consider hiring a traffic lawyer to help you get your ticket dismissed.
Traffic school can help you keep a clean driving record, prevent insurance increases, and more! Learn more below.
Barefoot Driving: The Facts
The stigma around barefoot driving is largely unwarranted. Let’s get the facts straight.
Driving Barefoot Is Legal in All 50 States
This practice is legal all over the U.S., as well as in most countries around the world. There are no laws against it in the U.K., Austria, Germany, France, Spain, Hungary, and other countries. However, you can get in trouble if you cause an accident while driving barefoot.
It May Be Safer than Wearing the Wrong Shoes
Driving without wearing anything on your feet may be safer than driving in stilettos, wedge shoes, or flip-flops.
High heels can affect foot stability and pedal control, increasing the odds of a car accident. They have also been shown to increase the time it takes to brake, which may pose safety hazards.
Flip-flops are no better. Not only can they slip off your feet while driving, but they may also affect your control of the vehicle, such as your ability to fully brake and release the clutch or accelerator. In fact, a 2013 poll in the U.K. attributed 1.4 million near misses and accidents to wearing flip flops.
Wedges are even worse because their thick soles make it hard to feel and control the pedals. They can also get stuck under the pedals, interfering with your ability to brake or accelerate as needed.
This is why the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration advises that drivers wear flat, well-fitting shoes.
Going Barefoot Is Still Taboo in the U.S.
In some parts of the world, barefoot walking is considered unsanitary and associated with poverty. Plus, many people in the U.S. and other countries perceive it as inappropriate or uncivilized.
According to the nonprofit organization Barefoot Is Legal, this practice became taboo in the late ’60s shortly after the Civil Rights Movement. American business owners could no longer discriminate against customers based on race and other criteria.
It is believed that “No shirt, no shoes, no service” signs started to pop up in response. The goal was to keep out hippies, poor people, and other groups.
Fast forward to the present day, and we still believe that going barefoot is against the law – even while driving!
Driving Barefoot Isn’t Illegal. But Here’s What to Do If You Get a Ticket Anyway
There are situations where you may face legal repercussions if you drive in bare feet.
For example, if your foot slips off the pedal and you enter the opposite lane, the police may charge you with reckless driving. The same can happen if you cause a car accident while driving barefoot – at least if it can be proved that your bare feet were the cause.
In the U.S., you won’t be ticketed just for driving barefoot. However, you may stumble over a police officer who disapproves of this practice and might look for another reason to fine you. In such cases, it’s best to seek legal help and contest the citation.
Depending on the nature of your violation, you may want to consider traffic school. This option is available to drivers charged with one-point traffic infractions, such as running a stop sign or red light. It’s easier than going to court, and it’ll mask the point on your license.
First, make sure you qualify for traffic school. If you’re eligible, plead guilty to your ticket and pay the fine and court fees. After that, sign up for a DMV-approved course.
At Best Online Traffic School, you can complete the course over the internet from any device and take breaks as needed. Our learning platform will automatically save your progress.
Most of our students finish the course in just two or three hours, and 99.9% pass the final exam on the first try. We offer unlimited exam retakes – and you pay nothing until you pass.
Upon completion, we’ll submit your certificate to the court and California DMV. This will mask the point associated with your traffic ticket and prevent your insurance rates from going up.
Start traffic school for FREE today. Still on the fence? Check out Should I Go to Traffic School? to learn more.
FAQs About Driving Barefoot
Looking for further insights? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions.
In which states is driving barefoot illegal?
Barefoot driving is legal in all 50 states, but some jurisdictions advise against it. Also, be aware that some counties in Tennessee may prohibit operating a car without your shoes on.
Is driving in heels illegal?
No, it is not. All states, including California, allow this practice. However, wearing high heels behind the wheel can be dangerous, even for experienced drivers.
Can you drive with just your socks on?
In the U.S., it’s legal to drive with just your socks on, but this doesn’t mean you should do it. Your feet could slip off the pedals and cause you to lose control of the car.
Why shouldn’t you wear flip-flops while driving?
Flip-flops are slippery and don’t have ankle support, which may impact your ability to control the pedals. They could also slide off your foot or get caught under the pedal, increasing the risk of an accident.
