There are no laws against driving barefoot in North Carolina, meaning that it is completely legal to do so. There are, however, more risks associated with driving shoeless.

If you’re the type of person who feels comfortable not wearing shoes, you may have been tempted to try driving barefoot. You also may have heard the popular rumor that it is illegal to drive without shoes, so you begrudgingly kept your sneakers on when you got behind the wheel.

Jerry

, the top-rated

car insurance

savings app, is here to put that rumor to bed. Driving barefoot is technically legal in all 50 states, including the District of Columbia. Some states may tack on additional fines if you were involved in an accident while driving barefoot, but North Carolina isn’t one of them. Keep reading to learn the facts and find out how to save on your

North Carolina car insurance

, too!

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Is it illegal to drive barefoot in North Carolina?

Not at all! Shoeless driving is 100% legal in the Tar Heel State.

For years, there were rumors that it was illegal to drive barefoot and that you could get in trouble for doing so. These rumors persisted until 1994 when a man named Jason Heimbaugh wrote letters to all 50 state DMVs (plus

Washington D.C.

) and asked whether or not it was legal to drive without shoes. After 51 letters, Jason got 51 responses of “it’s legal!”

Final answer: it is legal to drive barefoot in North Carolina. Now, before you get footloose and kick off those Sunday shoes, it’s important to realize that driving barefoot comes with certain safety risks.

MORE:

Seat belt laws in North Carolina

Is it safe to drive barefoot?

Barefoot driving may be legal, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it is safe. Driving with no shoes on interferes with your ability to control your vehicle for the following reasons:

You will have less traction without shoes, particularly in wet conditions

Bare feet may lead to

distracted driving

for certain drivers

Your braking force will be reduced when you drive barefoot

There is a much higher chance of serious injury to your feet if you’re in an accident while driving barefoot

Despite these risks, driving barefoot is still preferable to driving in certain kinds of footwear, like flip-flops or high heels.

It is safest to drive with a closed-toe shoe that fits well and has good traction, but you are well within your rights if you prefer to drive completely shoeless.

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How to save money on car insurance in North Carolina

Jerry

can help you save money on your North Carolina car insurance policy, no matter what kind of shoes you’re wearing (or not wearing)!

It’s beyond simple: just download the app and enter your information. In less than a minute, Jerry will generate a personalized list of quotes from 50+ top insurance companies. If you see a quote you like, our experts will guide you through the entire sign-up process—no tiresome phone calls or obnoxious paperwork. Jerry can even help you cancel your old policy.

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