The idea that it’s illegal to drive without shoes is a popular misconception, but in Washington it is completely legal to drive barefoot. Just because driving barefoot is legal doesn’t mean it’s a good idea, however—driving without shoes can be a safety risk.

Have you ever kicked off your shoes before getting behind the wheel, only to have a friend or family member caution you: “You should put your shoes back on, it’s illegal to drive without them!”? Most of us have experienced this at least once, but if you want to drive barefoot, it’s perfectly legal to do so.

Here to give you the facts about barefoot driving is

car insurance

super app

Jerry

. Not only is it legal to drive barefoot in Washington, but it’s also legal to drive barefoot in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Proceed with caution, though. Barefoot driving might make it easier for you to lose control of your car, putting you at increased risk for an accident.

For everything you need to know about barefoot driving, as well as finding cheap

car insurance in Washington

, read on.

Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds

Find Savings!

4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars

4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers

Is it illegal to drive barefoot in Washington?

No! It is not illegal to drive barefoot in Washington state. Not only is it legal to drive barefoot in Washington, it’s legal anywhere in the United States.

The idea that barefoot driving is illegal is a myth. The myth probably started because driving without shoes is generally considered unsafe, but a guy named Jason Heimbaugh formally busted that myth back in 1994. Jason wrote to every DMV in the United States and asked if barefoot driving was legal in their jurisdiction—as it turned out, barefoot driving was legal everywhere in 1994 and that is still the case today.

So there you have it. If you want to drive barefoot in Washington, you can. But before you hit the road without your shoes, you should know the safety risks.

MORE:

Everything you need to know about driving in Seattle

Is it safe to drive barefoot?

Legal or not, wearing proper footwear while driving is a responsible decision. Driving without shoes gives you less control over your vehicle and is generally considered unsafe. If you decide to drive without your shoes, you should be extra cautious because:

Driving without shoes means you may need to press down harder on the gas or brake

Bare feet don’t have traction like shoes do, so they might slip off the pedals as you drive

Stubbing your toe can lead to

distracted driving

If you have an accident while barefoot, you are more likely to sustain serious injuries to your feet

On the other hand, wearing certain shoes such as flip-flops or high heels while driving is actually more dangerous than driving barefoot. They can slip off or get stuck under your pedals and can distract you while you drive. The safest shoes for driving are sneakers, boots, or any other closed-toe shoe with good traction.

MORE:

9 common reasons your license can be revoked

"I’m earning

awesome rewards

every week, just for driving safe!”

How to save money on car insurance in Washington

Whether you’re wearing shoes or not, getting great

car insurance

in Washington is a must. If you want to save money on your car insurance without the hassle of filling out online forms and dealing with sales calls, there’s

Jerry

Jerry is your ultra-talented car insurance broker for life. No need to sit across from him at a desk: Jerry is an app! It takes less than a minute to sign up, and you’ll be presented with competitive rates from dozens of top providers. Don’t lose coverage—find savings with Jerry.

“I can’t thank the
Jerry
app enough! They saved me $160 a month, and I didn’t even have to talk over the phone. They took care of everything through text.” —Travis Y.