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 Penal Colony 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 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 Texas_Tea on July 9th, 2008
No, it's just dangerous.
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 notquiteright on July 13th, 2008
it is illegal to drive if you dont have a licence. PS, im not called barefoot
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 john pennington on December 21st, 2008
Again, it is not illegal to drive an automobile in The United States, while barefoot.
by Mrs Anonymous on December 21st, 2008
Not for Sassquatch.
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 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 Chris E on September 12th, 2009
Not to my knowledge
by Manson on January 24th, 2010
Not in Virginia it's not, and I believe it's not in most states as well.
My mother put a down payment on a car that was suppose to go in my name but went into my former boyfriends name because he was very controlling, he has now reported the car stolen when I have paid every note. Can my Mother put a lien on the car?
by Anonymous on October 17th, 2009
| 1 person likes this
I was pulled over for doing a u turn. the officer who pulled me over told another officer who didn't witness the u turn to write me a ticket. Since the issuing officer of the ticket didn't witness the event, can i fight the ticket?
by neubyosu on September 24th, 2009
| 1 person likes this
I received a ticket for Expired State Registration. If I still drive, can any further action be taken against me while I'm in the process of fixing my car to pass inspection & get registerd if I get pulled over again?
by Anonymous on September 18th, 2009
| 1 person likes this
Whats the lowest i can drop my vehicle suspention with out getting a ticket in the state of texas or new mexico
by toxicrabbit on September 16th, 2009
| 1 person likes this
I traveling on a four lane both directions road. I'm in the far right lane and I am the second vehicle back stopped for a stop light. I cut across a service station lot and re-enter the road going to my right. Have I broken any laws?
by pumph2o on September 25th, 2009
| 1 person likes this
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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