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by n_o_u_s on April 12th, 2006
American States
Alabama:
Barefoot Driving: Operation of a motor vehicle by a driver with bare feet is permitted. Exception: motorcycle rider.
Ohio:
Barefoot Driving: Operation of a motor vehicle by a driver with bare feet is permitted but not recommended.
California:
Barefoot Driving: Operation of a motor vehicle by a driver with bare feet is not prohibited.
Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware,Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming:
Barefoot Driving: Operation of a motor vehicle by a driver with bare feet is permitted."
http://tafkac.org/legal/driving.barefoot/driving_barefoot.html
This dated 1994, but the laws probably haven't changed since then.
by Anonymous on January 18th, 2006
Being a professional truck driver for 18 years with over 2 million miles behind me: According to the Department of Transportation it is illegal to drive a vehicle without having proper foot support that will prevent the driver from applying and maintaining steady pressure on the brake pedal for an extended period of time.
Post Rating Note: This answer can be found in the DOT
Official Drivers Guide Handbook. "Extended periods of time" would refer to anyone who might be in a traffic jam having to maintain continuous pressure on the brake pedal for extended periods of time. Being barefoot would cause a drivers foot to become tired more quickly. According to the DOT it is illegal to drive barefoot. I did not write the Law. I am simply answering the question with known, but unpopular, information.
by Galeanda on July 8th, 2008
Police may claim it is illegal but in most states there is no such law on the books. I haven't found any yet where it is a written law. It's just something they tell you. But just your average drivers, it's fine, go for it.
by stingray1300 on July 8th, 2008
Not sure about other states, but in California, it is *LEGAL* to drive without footwear.
by Anonymous on February 15th, 2006
Here is an update to my original answer on driving barefoot. a speeder was observed speeding. hard to pull over to the curb. made radical movements, with her automobile. after the stop, i noticed the driver did not have any shoes on her feet. driver said she came from home with no shoes. i issued a citation for speeding, plus careless driving(no shoes). as long as original charge is issued (speeding) anything contributing to speeding, like talking on a cellphone, barefoot, etc., which again contributes to the original charge, also can be issued. driving barefoot, in itself, is still not a violation of the law.
by Texas_Tea on July 9th, 2008
No, it's just dangerous.
by john pennington on July 9th, 2008
There is no law, in America, that strictly forbids driving an automobile, while barefoot.
The only possible exception would be a careless driving charge, if you are involved in a traffic crash and the accident is your fault.
Other than this, go for it.
by Penal Colony is wicked marrying Andy on July 8th, 2008
Nope. It's not illegal, just stupid. In the early days of automobiles, floors of cars weren't upholstered or covered in any protective fabric, they were just bare metal. Engine heat and friction would cause these floor panels to become extremely hot, leading to painful burns for barefoot drivers. Over the years, this simple fact of common sense became the urban legend that it's "illegal" to drive barefoot.
by - Katelyn is a party animal - on July 8th, 2008
I think it is here in Ireland !
by Answers101 on February 19th, 2006
No, it's perfectly legal, but it can be more dangerous while you're driving, so it's not recommended.
by Anonymous on December 30th, 2005
According to most of the sources i contacted, including the AAA club, driving barefoot is not illegal. its one of those quirks in life that never made it to the legislature. i feel more confident driving with shoes on, rather than without. imagine a barefoot panic brake pedal stop without shoes? i believe i'll keep my flip flops on, while driving. end
by An0nym0us on August 14th, 2005
No, but bear in mind that even professional drivers wear special driving shoes. Your driving performance actually decreases if you drive barefoot. Surprising, I know, you'd think having the additional tactile feedback would help...
by Anonymous on June 23rd, 2005
According to the book "More Rumor" by Hal Morgan and Kerry Tucker: "... another commonly feared law is the one that prevents many of us from driving barefoot. The Automobile Association of America keeps tabs on driving laws in all fifty states, and reports that no such rule is on the books."
by Always Ready - COAT of courage on September 18th, 2009
I don't think so
by Forex Trading on September 18th, 2009
i think it's a state by state issue
http://www.forextradingadvisory.com
by john pennington on September 18th, 2009
3rd Answer.
Driving barefoot is not illegal in any of Americas states.
A peson could be charged with careless or reckless driving, if driving while barefoot, was a contributing factor in an auto accident.
There is no "stand alone" law against driving a motor vehicle while barefoot.
by Chris E on September 12th, 2009
Not to my knowledge
by canbfrisky on October 29th, 2010
i think it is,,,So if you DO go barefoot have some thongs handy and put them on carefully , Reason : Cops watch your every move from the time you pulled over , to see if you are slipping your belt on, hiding dope, hiding a weapon ect. I personally think it's a law that need to be repealed, you're feet grip the brake and gas peddles
BETTER than some shoes !
by Nabaruna_D on February 17th, 2011
Today I took my Driving test in New jersey at Kilmer DMV, the lady instructor behaved very rudely when she saw I wanted driving bare foot(as i am comfortable in this). She said this is strict law in US not to drive barefoot, and this ws one of the primary reasons she failed me though did put on my shoes as soon as she told me.
by drherz.psyd on September 8th, 2011
This is really a funny issue, driving while barefoot. I have been driving barefoot for over 5 years and it is really comical the people that think it is not right. I drive over 1000 miles per week, and I have never had any issues. Yes, some police think that it is illegal, but most of them that know their jobs, also know that there is no law for driving barefoot. It is actually better because of your sensory perceptions are not impaired by having shoes on!
Chicago Barefoot Runner Mike
by Janemarie_C on October 29th, 2010
excuse me, I meant to say "write" not right.
by Janemarie_C on October 29th, 2010
No, there is no law, though it is a common MYTH that it is illegal & dangerous. Neither are true with today's cars. Fact is, it is often safer than driving in many types of shoes (aside from special driving shoes). Many police are even victims of this myth, & may right a reckless driving citation (wrongly).
by danalip on June 29th, 2010
well i dont no but as 4 me i cant walk in nothing but flip flops or i .so u can only guess yes i drive barefoot. n i've tried 2 wear shoes driving n my feet hurt n burn n shoes stop my good driving ability .lol but true 4 me....
by medina1964 on August 9th, 2010
is it illigal to drive barefoot in the uk.
by newaccount is now looking for a new name. on September 8th, 2011
Not in Bedrock.
by travr1 on September 8th, 2011
It should be illegal to drive WITH shoes on.
by john pennington on December 21st, 2008
Again, it is not illegal to drive an automobile in The United States, while barefoot.
by Ms.A on December 21st, 2008
Not for Sassquatch.
by Anonymous on December 20th, 2008
IT IS ILLEGAL TO DRIVE BAREFOOT IN ANY COMMERCIAL VEHICLE BUT IN THE STATE OF GA IT IS LEGAL TO DRIVE YOUR PERSONAL VEHICLE BAREFOOT
by needtoknow on July 13th, 2008
It is in NY State..Everything you can think of is illegal in NY State!!!!
by Krystan on July 8th, 2008
I hope not because I can't drive any other way. I am a flip flop junkie and its kind of hard to drive with those because they slip so I have gotten very use to driving with no shoe on my "driving foot".
by notquiteright on July 13th, 2008
it is illegal to drive if you dont have a licence. PS, im not called barefoot
by Manson on January 24th, 2010
Not in Virginia it's not, and I believe it's not in most states as well.
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Comments
TOP ANSWER. So many people don't realize this is a states issue and laws vary state to state.
by This Daley has a new bundle of joy on July 9th, 2008
The wording changes, but the results, apart from the motorcycle in AL, are the same -it's not illegal in ANY state (note, California throws some people who read through the information really quickly off, it says 'not prohibited' while the other states use 'permitted' and I've encountered some people who read 'not permitted'). Good thing too, I think it's really better than high heels or loose flipflops.
by myranya on March 12th, 2011