Are You Allowed to Drive a Car With No Shoes

[KimOhio]

it is against the law to drive with out shoes in Ohio got a ticket once for wearing no shoes and also a speeding ticket

 

[aahmom1]

I've alwasy thought it was illegal in Michigan, but if I'm wearing heels I take them off. It's safer to drive in bare feet than high heels.

 

[phamton]

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.

District of Columbia

Barefoot Driving: Operation of a motor vehicle by a driver with bare feet is permitted

The American Automobile Association (AAA) publishes a "Digest of Motor Laws" handbook that is a:

Summary of laws and regulations governing regulation and operation of passenger cars in the United States, its Territories, and the Provinces of Canada.
It has a "Barefoot Driving" entry for all states and territories; and for each it says: "Operation of a motor vehicle by a driver with bare feet is permitted."

The 62nd edition has ISBN 0-916748-70-7. You can obtain a copy of the digest through your local AAA club.

My husband got a ticket once for picking bluebonnetts (which is the state flower here in Texas.) Guess what, there is no law against it although I've been told since I was a kid that it was illegal. I even have a friend who is a highway patrolman in Texas who thought it was illegal. I had visions as a child of being hauled off to jail in handcuffs for picking bluebonnets in my own yard. (I figured I'd be in jail with my sister who pulled off the mattress "do not remove tags.") For information on the bluebonnets debunking see: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/director_staff/public_information/bluebon.htm

Bev Hamilton

 

[SueEllen]

Apparently the police officers who have ticketed drivers for being barefoot are relying on urban legends too!

Regarding those of you who have received tickets for this--did you take it to court, or just pay a fine. I would be interested in knowing this since it is clearly NOT illegal (funny thing is that I have always been told that it was illegal)

Sue Ellen

 

[WebmasterAlex]

my question would be did the ticket actually say "barefoot driving" or did it say reckless driving, driving to endanger or some variation on that.

 

[shep]

I've driven without them...I keep them nearby though in case i get pulled over...

 

[RoutemanDan]

Sue Ellen,I didn't go to court, just paid the ticket.

It was a long time ago Alex,but I'm pretty sure the ticket didn't say anything about driving while barefoot.The cop told me that was what I was getting a ticket for instead of speeding.(No points) I also didn't have a shirt on and he told me to put one on.

 

[DocRafiki]

Good link, Alex. They covered all the problems I've had with clogs and heels. Next time I go for a long drive, I'll wear tennis shoes instead of the flip flops I usually wear (which inevitably wind up in the passenger seat).

 

[Nutsy]

I do it all the time, tho we are not supposed to, I prefer it to shoes on.