Is it illegal to drive with no shoes in the UK?

There are some occasions when driving barefoot just seems practical. Maybe you’ve been at the beach and your feet are wet and sandy. Or perhaps the heel on your shoes snapped, or your shoes got soaked in a sudden downpour. In situations like though, it seems like the sensible solution would be to drive with no shoes on – but would you be at risk of breaking the law?

It’s not illegal to drive barefoot in the UK

The short answer is no, it’s not illegal to drive with no shoes on in the UK. Not technically, anyway. However, the Highway Code Rule 97 does say that drivers must make sure that: “clothing and footwear do not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner”, which suggests you might be in trouble if your bare feet don’t allow you to use the controls the way that you’re supposed to.

There is another way of looking at the same piece of advice, though. If your shoes aren’t suitable for driving – if they’re damaged in some way, the heels are too high or the soles too slippery, for example – then you may be better off with bare feet.

But isn’t driving in bare feet risky?

It’s true that driving in bare feet can be a risky or even dangerous choice. Shoes help protect our feet from the world around us and the hard edges of the pedals could leave your feet feeling bruised or cramped. What’s more, you may find that the soles of your feet don’t grip the surface of the pedals as well as a good pair of shoes could.

Ultimately, it’s all down to common sense and what feels safest. You’re likely to be able to tell whether it’s smarter to stick to your shoes and which times might be better suited to going barefoot.

Which shoes are best for driving

When it comes to picking out the best shoes for driving, there are no hard and fast rules. The most important thing is to ensure that they are well fitting, have good grip and are comfortable to wear. Avoid things like flip flops, very heavy boots, high heels or shoes with very smooth soles, as they may not be able to offer you the purchase you need to work the pedals effectively.

If those are your only option, there are times you may be better off driving barefoot. However, if you keep a spare pair of flat soled shoes with good grip in the boot, and you’ll always have something suitable to slip into when needed.

Ultimately, driving with no shoes on isn’t illegal – but that doesn’t mean it’s advisable. Be sure to use common sense and put safety first every time you get behind the wheel.