Is Driving Barefoot Illegal in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island has no laws against barefoot driving.
Written by Max Werner
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Though not recommended, barefoot driving is legal in
Rhode Island
. Even so, an officer will ticket you for distracted driving if your footwear has affected your driving skills.Driving without shoes? How scandalous! At least, that’s what people used to think. Barefoot driving laws have been a popular myth for a long time. Surprisingly, though, barefoot driving is legal and all 50 states—and that’s always been the case.
Don’t kick off those shoes just yet. While barefoot driving is perfectly legal in the US, it still comes with its risks and possible penalties.
Thankfully, the
car insurance
super app Jerry
has created a complete guide to walk you through all there is to know about barefoot driving. Here, we’ll cover the history, legality, and risks of barefoot driving in Rhode Island. 
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Reviewed on 5/28/2023
Is it illegal to drive barefoot in Rhode Island?
Nope! Despite some conflicting claims, barefoot driving has always been legal in Rhode Island.
You can thank a guy named Jason Hiembuagh for bringing the myth to light. Back in 1994, Jason wrote to DMVs across the US to ask if barefoot driving was legal. The response was outstanding—with a unanimous “yes” from every DMV.
While barefoot driving is legal, most DMV offices recommend that drivers wear some kind of shoes while behind the wheel. A driver creates additional risks when they are not comfortable—and shoes play a big role in comfortability.
Law enforcement officers in Rhode Island will still charge you with distracted driving if your footwear contributes to an accident. To avoid legal penalties, drive carefully, and consider wearing shoes if you're not comfortable driving with bare feet.
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Is it safe to drive barefoot?
Barefoot driving might be legal in Rhode Island, but that doesn’t mean the government recommends it. Barefoot driving comes with risks and penalties—especially for those who are not used to getting behind the wheel without shoes.
Barefoot driving can negatively affect a driver because of the following:
- Shoes increase your braking force, making braking more difficult without them
- Bare feet have less traction than shoes, causing slippage
- It can be distracting to drive barefoot
- Your feet are at greater risk of injury during an accident
Ultimately, safe driving is all about your comfort and the driving conditions. If you safely drive barefoot all the time, that’s fine—but you should still be aware of the increased injury risk. If all you have are heels or flip-flops to wear, opting to drive barefoot could be safer.
Key Takeaway You won’t break any laws by driving barefoot, but you may increase the risk of accidents if you’re not used to driving without shoes. Always assess your situation before getting behind the wheel.
MORE: Rhode Island Electric Vehicle Incentives
How to save money on car insurance in Rhode Island
The “no shoes, no shirt” policy has been thrown out the window at
Jerry
. You can get the best deals on car insurance
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