Is It Illegal To Drive Barefoot? U.S. Laws (2026)

Is It Against the Law to Drive Barefoot?

Even though it's not illegal to drive barefoot per se, many states have provisions requiring drivers to maintain proper control of their vehicles. A shoe or flip-flop kicked off next to the driver's feet can interfere with their ability to operate both pedals safely. If driving without shoes leads to reckless driving or a collision, the driver could be cited for failing to control their vehicle, negligent driving, or reckless driving.

Is it Illegal to Drive Barefoot in Any State or City?

Cities, towns, and municipalities also have the power to regulate drivers more strictly within their boundaries than state laws provide. For example:

• In New York City, it is illegal to turn right at a red light, except at certain intersections in Staten Island with posted signs allowing right turns on red.
• In Minnetonka, Minnesota, driving a truck or other vehicle whose wheels or tires deposit mud, dirt, sticky substances, litter, or other material on any street or highway can be cited as a public nuisance.
• Many cities, including Portland, Maine, have laws prohibiting "cruising" down certain stretches of roadways.
• Chicago's Municipal Code outlaws "coasting" a vehicle down a hill by disengaging the clutch or putting it in neutral gear.
• Tire screeching, drifting, drag racing, loud radio playing and other noisy or disruptive road activities are prohibited in many municipal areas.

Driving barefoot may be illegal under city or local regulations. These regulations are more specific and change more easily and frequently than state laws. If you're a fan of driving without shoes, ensure you know the municipal regulations in your area.

Is It Illegal to Drive Without Shoes?

There is a common myth in the United States that driving barefoot is illegal. However, no state in the USA has laws explicitly requiring drivers to wear shoes or other footwear while driving a non-commercial vehicle - unlike underglow lighting, which is regulated in many states. Does this mean it is illegal to drive barefoot?

In 1994, Jason Heimbaugh decided to find out for sure. He wrote to the department of motor vehicles for every state and the District of Columbia to make sure no obscure law, provision or accepted interpretation outlawed the practice. Eventually, all 50 states and Washington, D.C. confirmed that barefoot driving is allowed by law. No state (or the District of Columbia) has passed a law banning the practice since then.

There are few exceptions, however.

• The Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires commercial truck drivers to wear shoes or boots that facilitate a secure grip on the pedals and offer adequate foot care and foot support.
• Alabama requires motorcycle operators and passengers to wear shoes.
• Taxi cab drivers may be required to wear shoes under state or local regulations (such as Connecticut's Taxicab Rules of Operation).

If you are a commercial driver, you may be required to wear shoes pursuant to your local health and safety codes, company policies, professional license terms, or operating contracts.

Is It Illegal to Drive in Flip-Flops or Sandals?

It’s not illegal to drive in flip-flops or sandals, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe to do so. If flip-flops are thin enough, they could bend under the gas or brake pedal, causing issues with control.

It’s also very easy for your foot to slip out of a flip-flop. That’s perfectly fine when you’re going to the pool. But when you’re driving a vehicle, the last thing you want is for your foot to slide off of the pedal.

Can You Get a Ticket for Driving Barefoot?

State laws don’t prohibit driving barefoot, but that doesn’t mean local laws can’t. If you live in a town or county that outlaws barefoot driving, you could receive a ticket.

In a similar vein, you don’t want your foot to slip off a pedal or otherwise end up driving erratically because you aren’t wearing shoes. Even if driving barefoot isn’t explicitly illegal in your jurisdiction, it could still lead to several types of traffic tickets.

In other words, driving while barefoot isn’t an excuse. The same logic applies to other small vehicle issues, like a broken side mirror. It might seem minor, but police can stop you and issue a fix-it ticket — just as they might for driving barefoot if it’s seen as unsafe or careless.

Is It Safe to Drive Barefoot?

While driving barefoot is legal—unlike most motorcycle helmet laws—it makes sense to think that it is against the law because it seems like a bad idea, unlike a seemingly harmless thing like driving without a shirt. Driving barefoot is generally not recommended by most safety experts and actively discouraged by others. The primary concerns include:

• Reduced Control. Shoes, particularly those with a firm sole, can provide better control over the pedals. Bare feet might slip, especially when wet or sweaty.
• Shoe Interference. If you kick off your kicks next to the pedals, you run the risk that a shoe may slip underneath the gas or brake pedal and interfere with its operation.
• Injury Risk. If you are involved in a car accident or have to quickly exit your vehicle, being barefoot increases the risk of foot injuries from road debris, shattered glass or hot pavement. This can hamper your ability to escape and distance yourself from a vehicle fire or other hazardous conditions.
• Liability Issues. If you are driving barefoot and cause an accident, your insurer may be more likely to assign responsibility to you and deny a claim.
• Police Stops. Many police officers also mistakenly believe it is illegal to drive barefoot. If you are issued a ticket, you will likely waste a lot of time contesting the fine, even if you win.
• DUI Tests. If you are pulled over on suspicion of driving under the influence, an officer may refuse to allow you to put on your shoes before taking a field sobriety test. Navigating uneven roadways and debris barefoot could cause you to fail even if you aren't legally intoxicated.
• Motorcycle Rider Risk. Without the protection of a vehicle around them, motorcycle riders face a greater risk of suffering severe injuries or death. Wearing appropriate shoes, protective clothing and headgear can decrease these risks (and sometimes reduce the cost of motorcycle insurance).

On the other hand, wearing shoes like high heels or flip-flops that can interfere with your ability to operate your vehicle can also be dangerous. You should err on the side of caution and make the safest decision in your situation.

Understanding the Effect of Water on Bare Feet

Most people who drive barefoot aren’t choosing to do so in the middle of winter. During the warmer months, they might be heading home from the pool or the beach, or they could be sweating profusely due to the heat.

This might seem inconsequential. However, when you’re driving with bare feet, even a small amount of water or sweat can cause your foot to slip on the pedal, and a slight slip can have serious consequences.

Some vehicles have all-metal gas and brake pedals. Others have rubberized pedals. Rubberized pedals tend to offer better grip, but they aren’t designed for use by people with bare feet.

If you do want to drive barefoot, you should take a towel and thoroughly dry your feet before you get behind the wheel. This is less safe than driving with shoes on because your feet can still sweat while you drive, but it can reduce your risk of getting into a crash.

Driving Barefoot And Insurance Claims

Although driving barefoot isn’t illegal, it can come with safety issues. It also has the potential to jeopardize your personal injury claim if you’re hurt in an accident. For example, should your accident involve you losing control of the vehicle, the other side might argue that loss of control happened because you weren’t wearing any shoes.

If an insurance adjuster’s investigation connects your lack of footwear to the crash in some way, the amount of compensation you can recover might be greatly reduced. Many states have some version of comparative negligence laws, meaning that if your negligence contributed to your accident, your compensation may be lowered accordingly.

For instance, imagine you were hit by a driver speeding through an intersection. The speeding driver is largely to blame, but the insurance adjuster who investigated the crash determined that your bare feet slipped on the brake pedal. As a result, you didn’t brake as soon as you could have.

The insurance company decides that because your lack of appropriate footwear contributed to the accident, you are 10% at fault, and the other driver is 90% at fault. If a court awards you $100,000 in damages, the amount you receive would need to be reduced by 10%, so you would ultimately take home $90,000.

It’s also important to note that if you live in one of the few states with contributory negligence laws, any amount of negligence on your part could prevent you from recovering any compensation at all.

Why Do People Think Driving Barefoot Is Illegal?

If you thought driving barefoot was illegal, you’re far from the only one. It’s a pervasive myth, and no one knows exactly how it began.

A likely explanation is that because driving with no shoes has a reputation for being unsafe, many people make the jump to assuming it’s illegal. Some police departments and individual officers discourage the practice. Over time, the myth has become self-perpetuating.

Have You Received a Ticket for Driving Barefoot?

Even though driving barefoot isn’t illegal in itself, it can still lead to accidents, tickets and other negative consequences. If you’ve received a ticket or gotten into an accident while driving barefoot, it might be time to consult an attorney. The right lawyer can assess your situation and help you determine what steps to take next.

At ConsumerShield, we’re dedicated to matching people with trusted legal professionals nearby. Fill out our easy contact form to get started today.