Is It Illegal to Drive Barefoot in Texas?

It’s not illegal to drive barefoot in Texas, but you could be charged with reckless driving if you’re in an accident without appropriate footwear.
Written by Andrea Barrett
Edited by Jessica Barrett
Despite the longtime myths, driving barefoot in
Texas
is legal—but you could be charged with reckless driving if you’re involved in an accident when driving without shoes.
  • Driving barefoot isn’t illegal in Texas, but it’s not recommended.
  • If you’re involved in an accident while driving barefoot, you could be charged with reckless driving.
  • An accident on your driving record could result in higher
    car insurance
    rates.
  • Closed-toed shoes with traction are the best option while driving.

It’s not illegal to drive barefoot in Texas

Despite decades of myths, driving barefoot in Texas is legal—and has always been. 
State laws against barefoot driving are urban legends that were officially disproved by Jason Heimbaugh in 1994. Jason was curious whether the barefoot driving legends were true, so he wrote to the DMV in every state asking about barefoot driving in their respective jurisdiction. Over a few months, Jason got the answers he needed: driving barefoot is legal in every state.
There you have it: It’s not technically illegal to drive barefoot and you’re not in violation of
Texas traffic laws
—but don’t ditch your shoes just yet. If you cause a car accident while shoeless, the police can charge you with
reckless driving
, which comes with serious charges and higher
Texas car insurance
rates. You could also be sued in a civil lawsuit if your lack of proper footwear caused another person injury. 
Worth noting: While driving barefoot isn’t illegal in the state of Texas, some municipalities may have regulations that prohibit it. If you plan to drive without shoes, check the laws in your area.

Driving barefoot isn’t safe—so try to avoid it

Driving barefoot in Texas may not be illegal but it is relatively unsafe, so authorities encourage people to wear appropriate footwear.
Operating a motor vehicle barefoot can reduce the driver’s ability to control the car in a few ways:
  • Barefoot driving decreases your force when braking
  • Bare feet usually have less traction than shoes
  • Bare feet may be distracting for certain drivers
  • There’s a higher risk of serious injury to your feet if you’re in an accident
That said, driving with bare feet may be safer than driving in shoes like high heels or flip-flops. 
The bottom line: Closed-toed shoes with traction are the best driving shoes—but you won’t break any laws by going barefoot.

FAQs

Yes—driving barefoot is generally safer than driving with high heels. Although there are some risks to driving without shoes, high heels are rigid and inhibit proper foot and ankle movement needed to use the car’s pedals. A high heel can also immobilize a pedal.
Although it may be easier to drive in flip-flops than high heels, it’s not recommended and driving with bare feet might be safer.
The straps of flip-flops can easily get caught in the brake pedals, increasing the risk of a serious accident. Flip-flops can also slide off your feet and get stuck under the pedals, directing your focus away from the road. While they’re not inherently considered unsafe for driving, their design and minimal traction pose dangers on the road that could land you in an accident.
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