Is it really against the law to drive a car barefoot in the US?

Sheriam

In spite of persistent myths in the US, there are NO laws against driving barefoot in ANY state. Unfortunately, this myth is so common that even some cops believe it... but everyone who believes this please see source and stop spreading this falsity.

Some cops are convinced it's unsafe and even though they know it's not illegal may try to write you up for unsafe or reckless driving, however please see the second and third link in the source, for two sites (one from the Michigan PD, one from an Australian newspaper) making it clear that driving barefoot is no more unsafe than many types of footwear that are regularly worn and could even be considered safer than many kinds of shoes.

Of course you should also think of what you are used to; personally I haven't worn footwear for eleven years. Driving with any kind of shoe would feel like handling the steering wheel with boxing gloves, a pebble won't faze me and I wouldn't worry about having to walk if my car breaks down. On the other extreme end I have a friend who can't walk comfortably barefoot on indoor tile, he'd probably pull back if there was even the smallest pebble, caked mud or other irregularity on the brake pedal, and he'd never be able to walk home if he didn't have shoes. Use a bit of common sense in addition to what the laws and the experts say, anything that's totally opposite from everything you're used to is likely to be a distraction and make you clumsy with your feet.

kimdd09

It is legal in the United States to drive barefooted, but it is SUGGESTED that drivers wear shoes that are not sandals or flip-flops.

Pami

I couldn't find any laws about driving barefoot, except that in Alabama it is illegal to drive or ride a motorcycle while barefoot (but I think you'd have to be crazy to do that... ouch!)

http://alisdb.legislature.state.al.us/acas/codeofalabama/1975/32-5A-245.htm

Sam

I guess it depends on the state..but the state of illinois no..

Patrick W

NO, NO, NO! where does this crap come from? Please show me any state's rules of the road that has a dress code for a motor vehicle and not motorcycle. Why not ask if you need to be wearing underwear. It's bad enough with the seat belt, cell phones and all of the other un constitutional laws they want to impose on driving. What is the purpose? With this type of "stereotyping discriminating law", how about making women driving caravans with children in the car banned from entering public parking lots, & drivers over 65 from using left lanes?

oklatom

No, that's Urban Legend, it's not true in any state.

The Urban Legends Pages groups illegal barefoot driving with other transportation myths, like the one about sea captains performing marriages and American interstates being designed for use as emergency landing strips. Several other sources claim driving barefoot in the United States is as legal as ripping off your mattress tag.

But even if it is legal, it's not a good idea, and most driving schools will suggest proper footwear to drive, not flip flops or sandals. And need I say you should not ride your Harley barefoot?

Added: I invite any of the people who have answered "yes" to post a link to the law that specifically states you can not drive barefoot in the state of ______. I bet you can't do it.

itsheidiyo

I thought it was.

I looked it up and found an interesting read.
http://tafkac.org/legal/driving.barefoot/driving_barefoot.html