It is quite common for people to wear flip-flops during the summer or when making a short drive. However, in most states, people also believe the myth that it is illegal to drive in flip-flops or barefoot. The technicalities on how legal or how safe it is to drive in flip-flops are debatable.

It is legal to drive in flip-flops in all 50 states, and a US police officer has no right to charge you for driving with flip-flops. However, if you are caught in a potentially dangerous offense while driving in flip-flops, you will be charged with careless driving. While it is not legal to drive in flip-flops or barefoot, they increase the risks of causing an accident in certain circumstances.

Why is it dangerous to drive in flip-flops?

There are no laws against driving in loose footwear like flip flops and high heels, but they are potentially dangerous to wear when driving for several reasons.

• Flip flops can physically prevent the ability to drive and affect response time. Anything can happen on the road, and sometimes you are required to respond very quickly. Flip flops can prevent you from applying the right pressure to brake or accelerate promptly.
• Flip flops do not have ankle support, so your feet are likely to slip when pressing on a pedal or switching pedals.
• Flip flops do not have the proper restraints for your feet and can be a distraction when driving when they keep moving around.
• Since flip flops are loose shoes, the straps can get tangled around the pedals, and you may get distracted while attempting to free the shoes or tamper with the pedals.
• Some flip flips have rigid soles, so you may end up putting too much pressure on the gas pedal and end up accidentally accelerating and ramming into something.
• Also, wearing flip-flops when an accident occurs can nullify your car insurance and prevent you from seeking full compensation.

So you may want to reconsider the next time you wear flip-flops when driving. The footwear you choose when driving can significantly affect how the pedals feel, the ease of switching, and the pressure you exert on a pedal.

Can you drive barefoot in case you have no other appropriate driving shoes?

When it comes to driving barefoot, the debate is even more apparent. There is no law or legislation in the US against wearing a particular type of footwear or being barefoot when driving; however, there are also risks involved with driving barefoot. They include:

• Your feet may sweat and make the pedals slippery.
• Your feet can easily slip off from pedals as they d not have the same grip as shoes give.
• You may be unable to apply the heavy pressure required for the clutch pedal.
• If you have socks or stocking on, they can reduce traction between your feet and the pedals, therefore, reducing grip.

Even though driving barefoot is legal, people have a difference in opinion on what is safer between driving in flip-flops and barefoot. Most people, including legal practitioners and law enforcers, agree that driving in flip-flops could cause an accident. But opinions are split when it comes to driving barefoot. Some people say that it is best to drive barefoot as you have more control of the pressure you exert on the pedals than when wearing flip-flops. We can also make the same argument about other shoes like boots and high heels.

We also have those who argue that driving barefoot is less safe than wearing flip flops because your ability to apply the right pressure on the pedal is different when not wearing any footwear. If you are barefoot, it seems less likely to use the appropriate force on a pedal when in certain situations, such as wearing nylon stockings or having sweaty feet, increasing your response time and making it less safe to drive barefoot. Another reason against driving barefoot is your feet may slip down as they do not have the needed grip to stay stable on the pedals, which ultimately increases response time.

Those who are for driving barefoot claim that it is the best way to drive. They say that your feet are more comfortable and light. You also have better control when switching your foot since you have no footwear weighing you down. They also say that you are more likely to notice brake problems as you may feel vibrations from the brake pedal better with bare feet. But similar to wearing flip flops if you get into an accident when barefoot, you can still be charged for careless driving for lack of proper footwear when driving.

Despite some drivers’ argument on barefoot driving being safe, some states such as Ohio and South Dakota do not recommend driving barefoot though it is legal. In a state like Alabama, it is illegal to ride a motorcycle barefoot. Here are some common questions people ask about footwear when driving and whether or not they are legal:

Is it illegal to drive with flip-flops in New Jersey?

The police will not charge you for driving with flip flops in NJ or barefoot, but if you cause an accident, they will assume and argue that wearing flip flops or lack of footwear made you lose control over your pedals.

Is it illegal to drive with flip-flops in California?

The state government in California does not prevent anybody from driving barefoot or in flip-flops, but they insist that the shoes you wear should allow you pedal control when driving.

Most nonresidents and even residents in most states in the US may not be aware of the laws and regulations that involve footwear when driving. If you love to travel or are traveling soon, it is best to know the laws that apply in that country when it comes to footwear when driving.  I have done a short research on popular tourist destinations and their laws or opinions about driving in flip-flops or barefoot.

State	Driving with flip flops	Driving barefoot	Comments
USA	Legal	Legal	Alabama- it is illegal to ride a motorcycle in bare feet.California_ it is legal to ride a motorcycle barefoot or in flip-flops.All states- You will be legally charged for reckless driving if you are caught in an accident wearing dangerous. You may never recover compensation from insurance if they can prove that your footwear choice or lack of contributed to an accident.
Canada	Legal	Legal	You are free to wear any footwear or barefoot, but you must observe great caution when driving with specific footwear.
Italy	Legal	Legal	In the highway code, it was illegal to drive with open footwear until 1992. Although it is illegal to hike in flip-flops in Cinque Terre, it is legal to drive in them open footwear.
Germany	Legal	Legal	You might not receive coverage for damages caused if you were driving barefoot or in flip-flops. Alternatively, you may receive reduced comprehensive coverage. You will pay a fine of about $78.77 or more, depending on the severity of the offense.
France	Legal	Legal	The law’s phrasing leaves room for interpretation regarding footwear when driving, but traffic police in France are rigorous on you if caught on any traffic offense with open footwear like flip flops. In France, people can win appeals against fines if they can prove that they had full control of their vehicle when barefoot or in flip-flops. Driving schools in France teach that driving barefoot or in flip flop are banned.
Spain	Legal	Legal	Wearing flip flops or lack of shoes while driving will cost you’re about $225.51 of fine fees. It may be more for tourists.
UK	Legal	Legal	They advise against wearing clothing or footwear that may affect you from using the controls in any manner. If flip flops or bare feet limit your control, the court can prosecute you for breaking Highway Code Rule 97.You are liable to a fine of about $121. 18 or $6059.12 if you do contest the charges.
Australia	Legal	Legal	In Queensland, you are allowed to drive barefoot if you’re driving a vehicle with a gross vehicle mass of less than 4.5 tonnes, built to carry no more than 12 adults, including the driver.
South Africa	Legal	legal	South African police warn against wearing inappropriate footwear, including flip-flops, as they can prevent proper control of your vehicle.
New Zealand	Legal	Legal	You are legally charged for an accident if the police think driving barefoot or in flip-flops contributed to it.

Though most countries have no explicit law against bare feet or wearing flip-flops or any other kind of footwear while driving, there are countries and even places in those countries with very stringent regulations on when you are allowed to wear flip-flops or drive bare feet. Remember that the court can prosecute you if your choice of footwear when driving puts the lives of others and yours in danger.

Conclusion

People’s opinions also vary on what is safer between wearing flip-flops and being barefoot while driving. Still, the key is to examine how bare feet or flip-flops affect your driving ability. The choice of footwear may vary from person to person. Ultimately, it is your personal decision as a driver to make the choice that keeps you and those around you safe.