Is it illegal to drive with your shoes off?

[jazstar87]

my chem class is talking about if it is illegal to drive with your shoes off, for an unknown reason. We live in new jersey, but how about other states?

 

[PneumaticTransit]

I know it's illegal in Minnesota.

 

[phisigprincess]

I've heard that for PA too, but I don't know if it's an urban legend or an on the books law.

 

[Skylarr29]

I have heard that here in Florida... never actually read that though.

 

[oogieboogie]

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.

American Territories

American Samoa, Peurto Rico, Virgin Islands:
Barefoot Driving: Operation of a motor vehicle by a driver with bare feet is permitted.

Guam:
Driving Barefoot: No information.

Canadian Provinces & Territories

Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, New Foundland, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory:
Barefoot Driving: Operation of a motor vehicle by a driver with bare feet is permitted.

http://web.archive.org/web/20030618.../legal/driving.barefoot/driving_barefoot.html

 

[Galahad]

Interesting. I've heard the same thing for Indiana, but I just looked at the drivers manual online and it isn't mentioned.

 

[Maleficent13]

So from oogie posted then, it isn't actually illegal anywhere. Huh...urban legend then. You learn something new everyday!

 

[jazstar87]

thanks oogie.

We were wondering why would it be illegal?

 

[parrothead365]

If it is in FL then I'm in big trouble.

 

[monarchsfan16]

I had heard it was illegal too (but that was probably just mom trying to make me not drive without shoes...). But how would they know? Set up roadside foot check points like they do sobriety checkpoints?

 

[DukeStreetKing]

So from oogie posted then, it isn't actually illegal anywhere. Huh...urban legend then. You learn something new everyday!

edited to remove my error.

 

[DukeStreetKing]

So from oogie posted then, it isn't actually illegal anywhere. Huh...urban legend then. You learn something new everyday!

Hmm, I always thought it was illegal in NJ also.

 

[goodeats]

Yes, I know people by the beach get tickets for it. My mother tries to tell me that driving in flip flops is illegal, but I think she's wrong!

 

[Chicago526]

I'm pretty sure it's illegal in IL. I'm not sure why anyone would want to drive bare foot to begin with, but it must be a big problem if they passed a law about it!

Edit: Oh, just read ooggieboogie's post, I guess it is legal in IL! Shows what I know!

 

[damo]

Yes, I know people by the beach get tickets for it. My mother tries to tell me that driving in flip flops is illegal, but I think she's wrong!

Hmmm. The above references state that it is NOT prohibited to drive barefoot in California.

 

[Cebhfhionn]

Woohoo! You've made my day with this information. My DH tells me that its illegal now I can tell him, 'Uh, no honey you are incorrect!'

 

[ChristmasElf]

Yes, I know people by the beach get tickets for it. My mother tries to tell me that driving in flip flops is illegal, but I think she's wrong!

Actually, those flip flops are dangerous to drive in and there was someone here in Florida that had a car accident this summer. The news reported that the flip flop got caught under the gas pedal and the driver was unable to stop in time. Driver was ticketed for improper footwear while driving-so your Mom must be right, that flip flops are against the law while driving.

 

[jazstar87]

yes I can see driving in flips dangerous but the only reason why barefoot would be illegal becuase it is dangerous. is driving barefoot dangerous to me it less dangerous than driving with shoes on.

 

[MickeyGirl555]

I know for a fact that it is not illegal in NH because i just finished drivers ed about 3 months ago. However, are drivers ed teacher said that if you are driving and get in accident while barefoot that you being barefoot could play into who is at fault.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Actually, those flip flops are dangerous to drive in and there was someone here in Florida that had a car accident this summer. The news reported that the flip flop got caught under the gas pedal and the driver was unable to stop in time. Driver was ticketed for improper footwear while driving-so your Mom must be right, that flip flops are against the law while driving.

What?????

Then that would mean many many people would be ticketed.

I can see being ticketed b/c footwear is unsafe and caused an accident (just like if you are impaired in any other way that was within your control)...but the footwear in and of itself isn't illegal to wear while driving.

I've searched and cannot find one law to state that it is illegal to wear that particular footwear while driving.