In the UK is it illegal to drive in bare feet?

Sheriam

I don't have a link to the UK driving laws, but it's NOT illegal anywhere in the US. I do have proof for that in the source. Also two articles, from the Michigan state police FAQ and an Australian newspaper, that are of interest to those who believe bare feet would lead to less control of your vehicle.

ascoile

It is a legal requirement that a driver has proper control of the vehicle.
If footwear meant loss of control or inability to control safely, that would contravene the law

oklatom

No, Urban Legend. No where is it illegal per se to drive bare foot, but if you are involved in an accident and not wearing proper shoes (or way too high of heels for the ladies) it will be listed as a cause of the accident. Illegal, no. Probably not a good idea, yes.

The Tank

It is not illegal to drive in bare feet. In many ways it's probably safer - providing that you have non-slip coverings on all your pedals, including the accellerator.
Your friends are probably a bit confused about the details.

It is illegal to drive in any way which increases your chances of loss of control and accident.
Wearing Flip flops will almost always be interpreted by the police as contributing to loss of control if there is an accident.

des c

No my wife does it all the time. Barmy as you say.

None

I wouldnt think so - my dad sometimes does if hes just dropping us off somewhere quickly

MissElection

i find it impossible to drive with our without flipp flops.....i think its safe to say u cant go wrong with runners or a flat shoe...cos i cant drive with heels either!!!!! lol

XXkarlaXX

i am not sure, i always drive bare feet

nickic2k

Its not illegal (ive never heard of anyone being fined for wearing flip flops at the wheel have u? hehe). You can wear whatever you like on your feet as long as its confortable and you know they arnt going to slip off. It is recommended to wear trainers or thin soled shoes though.

Maid Angela

It is illegal not have proper control of your car. If you have control whatever you are wearing that is fine. I was once driving a van on a road that had lot of small hills and dips. I was at the top of a hill and in the dip was a girl driving a mini. From my position I could see she was quite naked. Maybe that should be illegal as I nearly lost control of my vehicle

aisha l

i hope bare feet is not illegal. i had flip flops on one day, and almost made a major accident when my show got stuck on the carpet... then another day, i was driving in pointy nosed, high heeled boots. now you know the nose of pointy shoes are empty, so u think u putting your foot down, when u actually arent actually touching much... almost another accident. hence the reason i drive with no shoes on. actually to drive with shoes on, makes me feel uncomfortable.

damian

check with a policeman,why drive in bare feet anyway?

Ray P

This was asked to the 'Legal Beagle' on Jimmy Young some years ago, and the answer was an emphatic 'no, it is not illegal to drive in bare feet'. I would say that practically flip flops are about the worst thing to wear, illegal or not.

Bardic

There's no offence of "driving in bare feet", but there IS an offence of not being in proper control. I'd suggest you're more likely to be in control in bare feet that in flip-flops - at least they can't slip off like your friend!

Same thing goes, as it happens, where you've got a leg in plaster. It's fine if it's your left leg and you're in an automatic but not in a manual.

Barefoot_Ben

I don't think its illegal so long as you have proper control of your vehicle, I have drive barefoot a lot.
what you ahve to make sure is that you can hit the break as hard in barefeet as you can in shoes so that it doesn't affect yoru stopping distance in an emergency. thats what the police would check in a accident.

Adacadus

So long as you have proper control of the vehicle, you can drive in winnie the pooh slippers for all the police care.

The clutch and brake pedals take a bit of force to push down, so it's not suggested, but there's nothing illegal about it.

tigerkitty2

It's not legal in my state either. flip flops are ok though.

Geeza Sooka Yerlips

Yes it is illegal, if flip flops are worn they must have a minimum sole pattern of 3mm.

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