We’ve all been there: you’re in a rush to get out of the house so you grab the first pair of shoes you see, slip them on, then jump in the car and start the engine. Then you look down and realise, you’ve grabbed a pair of sandals! And you wonder… “is it legal to drive in sandals?”
It’s a good question. As comfortable and convenient as sandals are in daily life, are they really the best type of shoe to wear when driving? They’re loose and flappy, which could present a safety hazard when it comes to pushing pedals. So, if you’ve got questions about driving in sandals, let us help. Here’s what we’ll cover in this piece:
- Is it illegal to drive in sandals?
- Are sandals safe for driving?
- Alternative footwear to drive in
Is It Illegal to Drive in Sandals?
Short answer: no, it’s not illegal to drive in sandals.
But the long answer is worth paying attention to. Rule 97 of the Highway Code states that before setting off, you should ensure that “clothing and footwear do not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner.”
Specific clothing and footwear are not mentioned, but the guiding criteria of allowing you to use the car controls in a safe manner is a useful reference point for evaluating your choice of footwear.
The RAC shed some more light on the situation in their analysis of footwear for driving. They give the following guidelines for finding the right pair of driving shoes:
- The sole should be no thicker than 10mm
- The sole should not be too thin or soft
- The sole should provide enough grip that your feet don’t slip off the pedals
- The shoes shouldn’t be too heavy
- The shoes should not limit your ankle movement
- The shoes should be narrow enough so as not to press two pedals at once
Ultimately, the right shoe is one that is comfortable, affords you full range of movement, and gives you enough sensory feedback that you can feel what’s going on with the car controls. A sturdy walking boot with a stiff ankle and thick sole will make it hard to feel what’s happening, and on the other hand, a thin and flappy flip flop might interfere with safe manipulation of the pedals.
Also bear in mind that while the law does not mention specific footwear, you are at risk of breaking the law if your footwear is perceived to hinder your ability to safely control your vehicle. If you are involved in an incident while driving or stopped by a police officer, your decision to wear shoes that limit your ability to drive safely may cause problems.
Are sandals safe for driving?
Based on the criteria above, our answer would most likely be no.
While sandals are widely known to be comfortable, all the attributes that provide this comfort are good reasons not to wear them while driving. For example, if your sandal - be it a flip flop or a Birkenstock - is easy to slip on and off, chances are that it’ll just as easily slip off when you’re driving: a situation that could become very dangerous very quickly. You may fumble while putting your sandal back on and lose concentration on the road, or it could even become lodged under the pedals, which we really don’t want to happen!
Even if your sandal has an ankle strap for extra security, the large gaps between the straps might limit the motion of your ankles, increasing the chance of the footbed getting caught on a pedal and hindering your ability to control the vehicle.
In summary, while there’s no law against it we’d suggest avoiding sandals or flip flops when driving. We’d also recommend not going barefoot either: having good grip on the pedals and a solid point of contact is important to retain control and reactivity, and the sole of your foot falls short on both counts.
While we’re on the topic of footwear to avoid while driving, here are some other recommendations:
- Avoid heavy boots, like work boots or walking boots. Their thick soles limit sensory feedback, and their width carries the risk of pressing two pedals at once.
- Avoid wellies, for the reasons above but also because they can limit ankle movement.
- Avoid high heels, as their reduced ankle control and foot stability increase the risk of your foot slipping.
Alternative footwear to drive in
So, sandals are out, big heavy boots are out, high heels are out and barefoot is out! What footwear does that leave us to drive in?
The answer is, plenty! Taking a sensible approach to your choice of driving footwear doesn’t limit your options. Just make sure that most or all of your foot is covered and protected, that the tread on the bottom of the foot base provides decent grip, and that you have good ankle manoeuvrability.
And of course, always make sure your shoes are secure on your feet before you get behind the wheel: laces done up nice and tight, or straps if you have them.
We recommend a classic comfortable trainer as a practical driving shoe, but the following types also work well:
Slip-on shoes with good grip
The Right Shoes for a Safe Drive
We hope this post has been helpful in clarifying your understanding of the laws around driving footwear. To summarise: it’s not illegal to drive in sandals, but it’s not advised either. There are plenty of better alternatives available that will make your drive more comfortable and, more importantly, safer. Both for you and other road users.
The take home message here is to be considerate of your capabilities in different footwear. Driving can be hazardous at the best of times and taking the time to make sure you are wearing footwear conducive to safety out on the road means your decreasing your risk of harm to yourself or others.