Driving barefoot is legal in all 50 states and the District of Columbia—but there’s more to the story. Some states still recommend wearing close-toed shoes when you drive, and you could face additional penalties if you’re in an accident barefoot. But Massachusetts is not one of those states!

Is it illegal to drive barefoot in Massachusetts?

No. Driving barefoot is perfectly legal in Massachusetts—and what’s more, it always has been.

Laws against barefoot driving are an urban myth, confirmed by a recent scrubbing through case law regarding its legality.

It’s as simple as this: yes, it’s legal to drive barefoot in the state of Massachusetts. So you can feel free to kick off your shoes and enjoy the sweet feeling of your foot resting softly on your car’s pedals without worrying about the law.

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Is it safe to drive barefoot?

Although barefoot driving isn’t illegal anywhere in the US, most states recommend that drivers wear proper footwear. That’s because barefoot driving has a reputation for being unsafe.

There’s some truth to that popular belief. Barefoot driving can decrease a driver’s control over the vehicle because:

Driving barefoot reduces your braking force

Bare feet typically have less traction than shoes, especially when wet

For some drivers, bare feet may lead to

distracted driving

If you’re in an accident, the chances of serious injury to your feet are higher

That said, barefoot driving might be safer than driving in certain shoes, such as flip-flops or high heels. If this is all you have available, it might be safest to kick them off.

The bottom line: A closed-toe shoe with good traction is the safest way to prep your feet for the pedal. But you won’t break any laws by going barefoot, and it may actually be safer than driving in a clumsy shoe like a flip-flop.

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