You may be driving barefoot already or be thinking about doing so and were curious if it was illegal. This article will discuss if it is illegal, where you can drive barefoot, what is best to wear on your feet when driving and why people may prefer to drive barefoot instead of wearing shoes.
It is not illegal to drive barefoot in the United States of America and in most countries, but it is frowned upon. Some European countries such as Spain and France have made it illegal to drive barefoot. Therefore, it depends on the country that you are in, whether barefoot driving is legal or not.
There are many factors to consider when driving barefoot, so let’s explore the aspects of why it may be illegal to drive barefoot, what shoes may be dangerous to wear whilst driving, and things to consider when choosing your shoes to drive in!
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Driving Barefoot Is Illegal In Some Countries Around The World
Different countries around the world have different laws and rules around the act of driving barefoot. In most countries, it is not illegal to drive barefoot, but there are some countries in Europe where it is not prohibited and is treated as an illegal crime.
In the countries where driving barefoot is not illegal, they are generally in alignment with the rule that it is illegal to drive in a manner that could cause injury to any person. They want to ensure that all drivers are in control of their vehicles at all times and can do so safely and effectively without harming themselves or their surroundings.
Reasons Why Barefoot Driving Is Illegal
The countries and areas where driving barefoot is illegal, it ultimately comes down to it being unsafe. If you cannot drive a car in the correct manner, then it is deemed unsafe. Therefore, there are laws or regulations in place to ensure the safety and well-being of people.
The graph below shows statistics from a serious injury crash report which shows that a very high amount of car crashes, both serious and fatal, are caused by reckless behavior when driving. This highlights the need to reduce anything that could cause reckless driving to occur in order to keep people safe.
This could include driving barefoot or wearing incorrect footwear, which shows why it may be considered illegal in some countries. If you are in a crash while driving barefoot, the police may charge you for reckless driving and deem the barefoot driving as a cause.
Shoes That Are More Dangerous to Drive in Compared to Barefoot Driving
Some shoes can be even more dangerous than wearing no shoes due to the way they are made. There are however, no rules or laws around the specific footwear that is allowed and that isn’t.
Some dangerous shoe options for driving can include:
- Jandals
- Slippers
- High heels
- Thick and heavy shoes
- Shoes with slippery soles
- Shoes you slip on that have no back
- Socks
We can see that these options of footwear do not allow you to have a quick and controlled movement to brake the car when needed. They do not support the natural movement of the foot and make it more difficult to use your feet.
Heavy shoes can be slower to move and be straining on your foot. High heels give you less motion as your heel is stuck in a certain position. Jandals and slip-on shoes can move around and are not firmly secured to your foot, which can cause them to get caught under a pedal, fall off, or get your foot stuck.
From this, we can see that these conditions are not ideal for drivers and these shoe options can ultimately restrict the driver from driving safely.
When driving, you want to be alert and ready to brake and accelerate when needed. This is why having the correct footwear and control when you are driving is extremely important for you and to protect others on the road.
4 Things to Consider When Choosing Your Footwear for Driving
There are some things you should consider before driving barefoot and driving with certain shoes. Let’s take a look at what you would want to look out for when picking out some shoes to go driving in.
Traction
Having traction between the pedals and your feet is important. Without good traction, the less in control you are of the car and accidents can happen.
If you are driving barefoot, you would want to ensure that your feet are dry and not wet and slippery so you can have the best traction possible. When picking out shoes to drive in, your best choice is soles that are grippy and flat as they hit the pedal.
Comfort
Having comfortable shoes when driving is so important, especially if you are driving for a long period. Being comfortable will not only affect you physically but also help you have a clear and focused mind as a driver on the road.
When you have comfortable shoes on, you can press on the pedal effortlessly compared to wearing uncomfortable shoes because it is likely that you do not want to move or use your foot due to the discomfort that you feel.
If you feel more comfortable driving barefoot because you do not own any comfortable shoes, then perhaps that is a good option for you. Therefore, if you find barefoot driving feels more natural and comfortable to you than wearing shoes does, then ensure you do so in an area where it is legal to do so.
Getting Caught or Stuck Under the Pedal
Certain shoes can get stuck under the pedal of a car, and so can your barefoot feet, but it is less likely. It is important to not get anything stuck or caught under the pedal because this means you have lost control of the car and will not be able to be an assertive and controlled driver.
Ensure the shoes you wear while driving has the laces tied up, your jandals are secure, and that your shoes have no accessories on them that could get caught on the pedal or on anything where your feet are so you can have a successful drive.
Control of the Car
Having control of the car is so important, as it is a powerful machine that can cause serious damage if it is out of control. The shoe choice you make should ensure you can be quick and efficient at taking action to stop the car and accelerate quickly as well as hold a steady pace.
Heavy shoes or shoes that are moving around can cause you to have less control of the vehicle, whereas shoes that fit the shape of your foot and are lightweight will make controlling the car a lot easier. Know what works for you and what you feel most in control wearing.
Some people may find they can be quick and in control of the pedal and car while driving barefoot, and others feel like shoes are better. Be honest with yourself and go with your own personal preference and consider the well-being of others around you.
Why Would Someone Want to Drive Barefoot?
Many people prefer to be barefooted and not wear any shoes. This can be due to the health benefits of barefoot living, they may feel it is more comfortable and that they have more control over the car while being barefoot.
Here are 5 benefits of being barefooted in life:
- Improves balance, proprioception, and body awareness
- Strengthens foot and leg muscles, which also support the lower back region
- Better control of your foot position when it strikes the ground
- Freedom from uncomfortable or improperly fitted shoes
- Better foot mechanics, which also affect the whole body
There are minimal, barefoot style shoes available, which may be a good option for a person who prefers to be barefoot and not wear heavy shoes while they drive. These shoes are shaped like your foot and allow you to move freely while being benign, durable and have traction.
Wearing a minimal barefoot style shoe would feel more lightweight, perhaps be more comfortable and allow the driver to feel more in control of the pedal compared to driving barefoot or wearing shoes.
Other FAQs
Do I Have to Wear Shoes for My Drivers License Test?
If you are in a country where it is illegal to drive without shoes, then of course you will need to wear shoes for your driving test. It does not matter if you are learning to drive or a regular driver; the rules are the same.
However, if you are taking your driver’s license test in a country where it is not illegal to drive barefoot then you can take your test barefoot but it is highly recommended that you do wear good shoes to not only keep you and the instructor safe but also so you can drive at your best during the test.
Is It Illegal to Wear Headphones While Driving?
It is not illegal to wear headphones while driving, but it is recommended that you refrain from doing so, as it can be dangerous to limit your hearing capacity. As a driver, you need to be able to detect all warning signs such as beeping and sirens.
Final Words
To conclude, it is not illegal to drive barefoot in most countries, but in some countries it is. No matter what country you are in, it is important that you ensure that you are not driving in a manner that could cause harm to anyone. Stay safe!