Question: Can you drive with two feet on a driving test?
Answer: Is it illegal to drive with two feet? No, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best method either. Even though there’s no law against driving with two feet in any state, doing so during a driving test could cause you to fail your exam.
According to Pierre Paul of the Pierre Paul Driving School in New York City, driving an automatic vehicle with two feet is a sure-fire way to fail your driving test. If you are driving a manual or stick vehicle, you can use both feet without penalty. However, finding a straight answer as to whether this method of driving will cause you to fail your exam in any other city or state isn’t quite as easy.
The short answer: Since it’s not perfectly clear whether or not you can drive with two feet on a driving test, we recommend you play it safe and just use your right foot for both the accelerator and the brake during your driving test. This will help you develop better driving habits for future driving too.
Is driving with two feet safe?
Once your driving test is over, you may be thinking you’re free to push the pedals with both paws—but just because it’s legal doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safe.
Driving with two feet—one on the accelerator and one on the brake—might seem like a good idea, especially for those who think it might give them quicker reaction times. However, this method of driving can cause more accidents due to the confusion that comes by hitting the wrong pedal in tense or emergency driving situations.
The risk of pressing both pedals or confusing the pedals can be dangerous not only for you as a driver but also for other drivers on the road—plus, it can lead to expensive wear and tear.
How driving with two feet can damage your vehicle
Most modern vehicles are equipped with safety features that prioritize the brakes over the accelerator if the pedals are pressed simultaneously. While this may prevent some of the more severe consequences of pressing the brake and gas together, regularly using both feet to drive can still lead to significant damage over time, such as:
- Overheating brakes: The constant friction of pressing both pedals can cause the brake system to overheat. Overheated brakes and brake fluid can lead to reduced braking efficiency and damage your brakes.
- Increased wear and tear on brakes: Continuous use of two feet to control both pedals can lead to premature brake wear. The constant braking while the accelerator is engaged puts unnecessary strain on the brake pads and rotors, leading to faster wear and the need for more frequent replacements.
- Torque converter or clutch damage: The vehicle components are designed to transition smoothly between acceleration and deceleration. The conflicting simultaneous commands coming from the accelerator and brakes could damage these systems.
- Decreased fuel economy: Two-footed drivers tend to rest their left foot on the brake, creating a constant drag on the engine and increasing fuel consumption, not to mention wear and tear on the engine.
Sarah Gray is an insurance writer with nearly a decade of experience in publishing and writing. Sarah specializes in writing articles that educate car owners and buyers on the full scope of car ownership—from shopping for and buying a new car to scrapping one that’s breathed its last and everything in between. Sarah has authored over 1,500 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from first-time buyer programs to how to get a salvage title for a totaled car. Prior to joining Jerry, Sarah was a full-time professor of English literature and composition with multiple academic writing publications.
Ashley Eneriz is an editor and finance writer with over 15 years of experience in a wide range of financial topics, including car loans and insurance. In editing for Jerry, Ashley aims to make all car material reader-friendly for both the new driver and car enthusiast alike. Prior to joining Jerry, Ashley was the financial deputy editor for ConsumerAffairs. Her work is featured on Forbes, Yahoo, MSN, The Hartford and more.
