Am I Allowed To Drive Barefoot in My State?

It is not illegal to drive barefoot while operating a motor vehicle and your insurance company should still cover you if you get into a car accident. However, it is possible to be fined or held liable if authorities believe that your being barefoot factored into causing a car accident.

Read to see if it's legal to drive a motorcycle barefoot as well as what footwear to avoid while operating a vehicle.

On This Page

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  Is It Illegal to Drive Barefoot in Any State?

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  Is It Dangerous to Drive Barefoot?

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  Why Do People Think It’s Illegal to Drive Barefoot?

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  Does Shoe Type Matter When You’re Driving?

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  What Are the Laws on Driving a Motorcycle Barefoot?

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  FAQs

Is It Illegal to Drive Barefoot in Any State?

Currently, there are no states where barefoot driving is against the law when operating a car. That means you are legally able to drive without wearing any footwear in Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, Indiana, Utah or any other state.

Here is a snapshot of the stances that different states have taken on the subject.^[1][2]

Is It Dangerous to Drive Barefoot?

Driving barefoot can increase your chances of an accident on the road, potentially causing harm to others and causing the cost of your car insurance coverage to go up. There are five dangers associated with driving barefoot, including:

• Bare feet can slip off of pedals easier than shoes, especially when wet.
• You may not be able to apply enough braking force when you are barefoot compared to shoe wearers.
• If you get into an accident while driving without any shoes or socks, the police may consider charging you with distracted or careless driving.
• In the event of an accident, you can suffer significant injuries to your legs or feet if you have an accident while driving without shoes or foot covering.
• Driving barefoot could also prevent you from easily fleeing your vehicle or seeking safety in the event of an accident.

On the other hand, some would argue that driving barefoot is perfectly acceptable. For example, the Society of Barefoot Living states that barefoot driving actually increases pedal control and eliminates interference caused by high heels and loose shoes.^[4]

Why Do People Think It’s Illegal to Drive Barefoot?

No one knows where this widespread belief about driving barefoot being illegal originated, although there is some speculation about how it started.

One reason could be the illusory truth effect. Studied in a 1977 report by Villanova University and Temple University, this phenomenon occurs when individuals believe false information that's constantly repeated. People believe wrong information because it seems true, feels familiar or aligns with their values despite the lack of evidence.^[5]

A second reason points to a concept called ad populum, which suggests that individuals mistakenly believe a proposition is true because a majority of people think it is true.^[6]

For instance, some people believe that since most drivers wear shoes while operating a vehicle, then it is required by state law. The “logic” then follows that the opposite should also be true — that driving without any footwear is illegal.

Another reason people assume it's illegal is that many states and police departments discourage this practice. However, just because traffic authorities frown on barefoot driving does not mean that the behavior is a moving violation like a DUI.

Does Shoe Type Matter When You’re Driving?

It is recommended to drive while wearing footwear that will give the driver more control and traction. This may include sneakers that lace up such as tennis shoes or running shoes.^[7]

However, some shoes are potentially more dangerous than others and may even increase your risk of an accident. They can jam your acceleration or stop you from braking. Unsafe shoe styles may include:

• Flip-flops and sandals: When flip-flops don't fit securely on your feet, they can slip off and get caught under your accelerator or brake pedal, causing a collision.
• Wedge or high-heeled shoes: Wearing high-heels or wedges, especially if they are heavy, can interfere with a person's ability to transition from one pedal to the other and could result in a moving violation.
• Shoes with long laces: Longer laces can unravel and become entangled in your car's pedals, making it difficult to brake or accelerate when needed.
• Dress shoes: These soles are more likely to slip from a brake pedal due to their lack of tread.
• Slip-on and open-heel shoes: Mules, slippers, clogs and backless shoes can slip off much in the same way flip-flops can, which makes them susceptible to the same danger.
• Boots or shoes with thick soles: These shoes inhibit the natural movement of your foot due to their size and weight. As a result, they slow down your reaction time and ability to prevent an accident.

Here's a smart tip: If you plan to wear one of the unsafer shoes listed above, a good compromise would be to bring two pairs of shoes when you drive. For example, the young lady going to a formal gala can wear tennis shoes while she drives. Once she parks, she can swap in her heels.

What Are the Laws on Driving a Motorcycle Barefoot?

There are no state or federal laws that specifically prohibit drivers from driving a motor vehicle barefoot. In fact, some states like Missouri and Wisconsin, even declare that driving barefoot is legal.^[8][9]

However, this rule doesn’t apply to driving a motorcycle. For example, motorcyclists in Alabama and Georgia are legally required to wear shoes while riding.^[10][11]

While most states don't prevent motorcycle riders from driving barefoot, motorcyclists should still wear safe footwear. Otherwise, they may face increased risk of injury from outside debris and collisions.

In fact, a 2017 Berkeley study found that 22% of motorcyclists were severely injured or killed in an accident while only 4% of those driving other vehicles were injured or killed.^[12]