You've probably been in the situation.
It's late at night. You've showered, got on your dressing gown, then you remember that you desperately need to run that late-night errand.
Or maybe you've just got off the beach in summertime and would rather not get your socks and shoes all sandy.
Either way, it'd be a lot easier to just jump in your car and be off, wouldn't it?
What Does the Law Say?
The short answer is . . . it's not illegal to drive barefoot.
The long answer is . . . it's a little bit more complicated than that.
What's the Catch?
The catch is that the law can sometimes be quite situational.
Driving barefoot might not be illegal in and of itself, but it could easily turn into an offense if you are involved in an accident.
Even if it's not the reason for the accident, the police officer attending the scene isn't exactly going to be impressed at seeing your bare (and probably very smelly) feet.
Also: something might be legal, but that doesn't make it a sensible thing to do.
It's 'legal' to go for a jog in high heels, but would you?
What Does the Highway Code Say?
The Highway Code is unequivocal on the matter: driving in your bare feet (or anything else that clearly goes against the correct manner) is definitely not advised.
Rule 97 of the Highway Code contains a line which says that you must wear 'footwear and clothing which does not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner'.
It can easily be argued that getting behind the wheels in your bare feet is a violation of that!
Is It Illegal to Drive in Slippers?
Similar to the point above, it's strictly speaking not illegal to drive with your slippers on.
However, doing so could result in a criminal charge if you end up in an accident and it's discovered that you’re not wearing footwear appropriate for driving (which, unless the police officer is blind, WILL be discovered).
So yes, slippers can be super comfy, but best keep driving in them to a bare minimum, eh?
Is It Illegal to Drive in Flip Flops?
No.
Same as driving barefoot, same as driving in slippers.
Wearing flip flops is also not illegal, but only as long as you are able to operate the vehicle controls safely whilst doing so.
If your feet/flip flops are still wet from the public showers or from being in the sea, then you risk your foot slipping on the pedal, meaning that wearing flip flops in this situation would be putting yourself and any passengers at risk.
What Shoes Should I Wear to Drive?
The official RAC website does offer some guidelines on suitable shoes to wear, saying that footwear whilst driving should:
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Not be too heavy
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Offer enough grip to stop your feet from slipping off the pedals
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Not limit ankle movement
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Not be wide enough to accidentally push down on two pedals simultaneously
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Have a sole no thicker than 10mm (should be neither too soft nor too thin)
Taken literally, this would certainly seem to rule out some types of footwear (such as high heels, flip flops, walking and hiking boots) from being classed as suitable for driving a car.
The point about soles can also be important, as having a really soft or a really thin sole on otherwise 'roadworthy' shoes can mean that you won't have the same braking force when pressing down on the pedals.
And whilst what the RAC tells you to do isn't necessarily the law, they ARE a very reputable authority when it comes to driving, and therefore their advice is usually worth listening to.
Summary
So there you have it: an all-you-need-to-know guide on the legality of barefoot driving!
Although not illegal in and of itself, the law isn't always that black and white, meaning there are situations when driving barefooted (or in slippers, flip flops, or anything else unusual) could land you in a spot of hot bother.
Not illegal, but certainly not advised.
FAQs
Can you drive barefoot in the UK?
Yes, as it's actually not illegal to drive barefoot in the UK, and the same applies for wearing things like flip flops. However, the catch is that if you're involved in an accident whilst driving barefoot, you could be penalised due to lack of suitable footwear.
Is it illegal to drive in crocs?
Thankfully not, as they're pretty comfy and lightweight, not to mention available in vibrant colours. But it presents the same problem as driving barefoot. If you're caught wearing them in a car accident, it won't be looked upon favourably and you could be penalised.