Is Driving Barefoot Illegal in Florida?
There are no state laws in Florida outlawing barefoot driving, but police can charge you with reckless driving under certain circumstances.
Written by Jessica Gibson
Edited by R.E. Fulton
Driving barefoot in
Florida
is legal, even if misconceptions persist that it is not. However, Florida police have been known to file reckless driving charges against barefoot motorists in the past if they believe a lack of footwear contributed to a crash.- There are no Florida laws stating that you have to wear shoes while driving.
- It’s safer to drive with proper footwear because you have more control over the pedals and your feet are protected.
- If you’re in a car accident and aren’t wearing shoes, the responding officer can choose to give you a ticket for reckless driving.
- Other drivers can make claims on your insurance if you’re found at fault for an accident you caused while barefoot.
- There are no Florida laws stating that you have to wear shoes while driving.
- It’s safer to drive with proper footwear because you have more control over the pedals and your feet are protected.
- If you’re in a car accident and aren’t wearing shoes, the responding officer can choose to give you a ticket for reckless driving.
- Other drivers can make claims on your insurance if you’re found at fault for an accident you caused while barefoot.
Is it illegal to drive barefoot in Florida?
No—there is no Florida law saying that driving barefoot is against the law.
In fact, you can drive across the country barefoot if you want! Back in 1994, a man named Jason Heimbaugh got curious and wrote to every state DMW asking whether driving barefoot is illegal. He got 51 “no’s” (yes, he wrote the District of Columbia, too).
Barefoot drivers are still at risk of tickets: While you might feel emboldened to drive “sans souliers” in the Sunshine State, remember, police officers can charge you with
reckless driving
if they believe your shoe-less feet contributed to a car accident. Barefoot driving isn’t as safe as driving with proper shoes
Driving barefoot can be dangerous—but some types of footwear carry even greater risks for drivers.
You’re at greater risk of losing control of your motor vehicle if you’re driving without shoes because:
- You have less braking force when driving barefoot
- Your bare feet don’t get as much traction on the brake pedal and gas pedal as a pair of shoes
- You can get distracted by your bare feet while driving
- You risk serious injury to your feet if you drive barefoot and are involved in a collision
If you do drive barefoot, practice safe driving—don’t make phone calls while you drive, never drink and drive, and pay attention to traffic.
However, the following types of shoes can be more dangerous than driving barefoot:
- Flip-flops
- High heels
- Crocs
- Slippers
If you’re in an accident with improper footwear, you may be found partially or fully at fault for the crash, putting you at risk of claims on your liability insurance or even a personal injury lawsuit.
The bottom line: Your safest bet is to keep a pair of sensible, comfortable shoes in your vehicle at all times to ensure you have the best grip on your pedals while driving. Toss on your pair of driving shoes, and enjoy your trip!
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