Is it Illegal to Drive Barefoot in the UK?

There are plenty of reasons why you might end up in your bare feet behind the wheel. But is it illegal to drive barefoot? Is it safe? Should you do it? Let’s find out. 

Picture it.Maybe you’re driving home from a day on the beach and want to keep your shoes and socks sand-free. Or perhaps you’ve spent the day hiking in the rain, and now you want to avoid that unpleasant “squelch” of wet boots pressing on the pedals.

Going barefoot might seem like a sensible choice when you’re faced with an itchy or soggy journey home. But can you drive barefoot on British roads? 

The quick answer is yes, you can!

It’s NOT illegal to drive barefoot in the UK

That’s right. Contrary to some popular motoring myths, it’s not against the law to operate a vehicle in your bare feet. 

However, the risks just aren’t worth it. It could affect your ability to drive safely, and if you’re pulled over or have an accident, chances are you’ll end up with a fine and points on your licence.  

Here, we explain why driving barefoot is a bad idea, what happens if you get caught, and share the good, the bad, and the ugly of driving footwear.

Why is driving barefoot a bad idea?

Two of the UK’s leading authorities on road safety highlight that driving in your bare feet is dangerous—and for good reason.

According to Rule 97 of the Highway Code (which covers the things you need to do before setting off), drivers should wear “footwear and clothing which does not prevent you from using the controls in the correct manner.” Driving barefoot could see you in breach of this rule, especially if your feet are wet and slip off the pedals.

And the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) suggests that suitable, sensible shoes must be worn while driving. Their recommendation for driving barefoot is simple: don’t do it. 

“We would not recommend driving barefoot because you don’t have the same braking force with bare feet as you do with shoes on.”

If you’re unable to control your vehicle or brake with enough force while barefoot, you’re putting yourself, your passengers, and other road users at risk.

What happens if you get caught driving barefoot?

You’re unlikely to be stopped solely because you’re in your bare feet. After all, how would anyone know? But if the police pull you over because they think you’re not fully in control of your vehicle (or you’re involved in an accident) and you’re driving barefoot, you could be charged with driving without due care and attention.

Also known as careless driving, it’s defined as “driving that falls below the standard expected of a competent driver.” If you’re guilty of it, you could wind up with a £100 on-the-spot fine and three points on your driving licence. And if it goes to court, you could be handed a hefty £5,000 fine, nine points on your licence, and even a potential driving ban.

Is it illegal to drive in flip-flops in the UK?

Driving with flip flops

Similar to driving barefoot, driving in flip-flops isn’t illegal, but it’s also not recommended. 

Flip-flops, in particular, are awkward customers when it comes to driving, as they don’t have a back to keep your foot enclosed. This means as you lift your foot on and off the pedals, the sole could lift off your foot, potentially bending and getting caught under the pedals. 

And if this stops you from controlling the vehicle properly or braking in time, it could cause an accident or see you stopped by the police for careless driving.

Can you legally drive in socks or slippers?

It’s perfectly legal to drive in socks or slippers, but again, it’s not a good idea. You just won’t have the same level of control over the pedals – and in particular, braking – as you would with more suitable footwear.

And even if your slippers are the sort with a thicker sole, you need to remember that they’ve been designed to be worn indoors. This means they probably won’t have the same amount of grip as an outdoor shoe, and they could still slip off the pedal while you’re driving.

Can you drive in high heels?

Yes, you can. There’s no law against driving in high heels. That said, they’re not high on the list of suitable driving footwear, either. 

Depending on the type of heel in question, it could make driving more difficult—and more dangerous. 

A thin heel, like a stiletto, could easily get caught under a pedal, stopping you from accelerating or braking with enough force. A chunkier heel, like a high wedge or a platform shoe, could make it harder to judge how much pressure you need to put on the pedal to speed up or slow down. And if the heel is particularly high, you might need to adjust your seat to fit your legs more comfortably. This could be problematic if you’re unfamiliar with the position, can’t adequately reach the controls, and haven’t adjusted your mirrors.

For the reasons mentioned above, many people prefer to keep a pair of flats in their car to change into when driving.

What kind of shoes should you wear while driving?

So, we’ve established that bare feet, socks, slippers, flip-flops, and high heels aren’t always ideal for safe driving—but what is? 

According to the RAC, the best driving footwear should: 

Have a sole no thicker than 10mm, but the sole shouldn’t be too soft or too thinProvide enough grip to stop your feet from slipping off the pedalsNot limit ankle movementNot be too heavy Not be too wide (to avoid accidentally pressing two pedals at once) 

We’d add that making sure the shoes are in relatively good condition is also important. You wouldn’t want the sole to come away while you’re driving! On the flip side, brand new shoes should probably be avoided, too. They might be a bit stiff and painful. Better to wait until they’re broken in and comfy.  

Choosing the right shoes for driving can be a bit of trial and error. You need to make sure they’re comfortable while also giving you enough control over the vehicle at all times. 

Once you’ve found a style of shoe that suits you, it’s a good idea to keep a pair in the boot to change into rather than risk going barefoot.

What else should you wear to drive?

To round things off, let’s return to Rule 97 of the Highway Code: drivers should ensure that footwear and clothing do not prevent them from using the controls in the correct manner.

Footwear and clothing. We’ve covered footwear, so let’s talk about the rest of your wardrobe.

Ideally, you want to be comfortable in the driver’s seat—especially if you’re driving long distances. Loose-fitting clothing that won’t restrict movement should be top of your pile, but not so loose that you’ll get a sleeve caught on the gearstick while changing gears, for example. 

Likewise, long skirts, dresses, and baggy trousers might be comfortable, but the extra material could get caught under a pedal at the worst possible moment.

And very dark sunglasses should also be avoided. They could affect your peripheral vision, potentially leading to an accident. Keep your sunglasses in the glove box and use the sun visor instead.

Quickfire summary:

Is driving barefoot illegal in the UK?

So, to recap: are you allowed to drive barefoot on British roads? Yes, it’s not illegal. 

But should you do it? Probably not. The risks far outweigh the benefits (if there are any), and with fines ranging from £100 to £5,000 for careless driving, not wearing shoes to drive could be pretty expensive. 

Plus, the cost of an accident caused by inappropriate footwear doesn’t end with penalties and points on your licence—it’ll also mean your car insurance will go up, too.

Better to be safe than sorry!

Also read:
Safe Driving at Night
#BeSafe: riding your motorbike in winter
Top 10 motoring myths
How will the new Highway Code changes affect me?