Your brand-new pair of sandals might look fantastic, but certain footwear just isn't suitable for driving in. Even something as simple as changing gears could cause a serious accident in the wrong type of shoes.
This guide will explore the different types of shoes that are appropriate for driving, and suggest which ones to avoid.
Contents
- Is it illegal to drive barefoot?
- Is it illegal to drive in flip-flops?
- Can you drive in crocs?
- What shoes can you not drive in?
- What are the best shoes for driving?
- Best shoes for driving in the rain
- Top driving footwear tips
Is it illegal to drive barefoot?
Even though there's no law in the UK that specifically describes what types of shoes you must wear, or if you have to wear shoes at all, you're still legally required to be in control of your vehicle at all times.
Wearing shoes that slip or tangle on the pedals, or driving barefoot, can lead to loss of control and potential accidents. In fact, you could be charged a £100 fine plus 3 penalty points.
Is it illegal to drive in flip-flops?
Technically speaking, it's not illegal to drive in flip-flops. As previously mentioned in the topic above, there's no legislation that determines what type of shoes you're required to wear.
What has been legislated, however, is that you must be in control and be able to operate your vehicle in a safe manner. This means, you can be penalised if your choice of footwear put yourself, passengers and other road users at risk.
Can you drive in crocs?
Always opt for shoes that wrap all the way around your foot, to make sure it's secure and provide enough traction when braking. Even though most models of crocs do have a strap that can be flipped from the front to the back of the foot, the strap is loose and can move involuntarily.
For this reason, it's not recommended to wear crocs when driving.
What shoes can you not drive in?
Driving in impractical shoes isn't illegal, but you have the obligation to maintain the vehicle under control at all times and meet road standards. Wearing anything that could jeopardise your and other road users safety could put you at risk.
The sole of the foot can become trapped underneath the pedal whilst raising your foot to change gear. Wearing mules, flip-flops, and other shoes without adequate ankle support can lead to the foot slipping off the pedal or missing the pedal altogether.
High heels are not advised for similar reasons. These dangers can cause accidents if you don't have enough time to recover from the situation.
Find below a list of shoes that aren't recommended when driving to complement the ones mentioned above:
- House shoes
- Wedges
- Work boots
- Cowboy boots
- Sandals
- Crocs
- Any shoes that have loose fitting and doesn't give enough support
- Any rigid or restrictive shoes with thick soles that could make it harder to apply enough pressure to the pedals.
What are the best shoes for driving?
Generally, the best option is to find footwear with thin soles, narrow welts (a necessity if your vehicle contains a confined pedal box) and adequate ankle flexibility. Trainers are best to be avoided as the soles are too thick and padded. Pumps or deck shoes are a safer option.
For material reasons, keeping a pair of suitable driving shoes in the car avoids the chance of ruining a dressy pair of shoes on sharp objects in the footwell.
When shopping for shoes that you plan to wear whilst driving, forget about assessing how well you can walk in them. Instead, focus on how they will feel when you're driving, and particularly how your ankles will be positioned in them.
In reducing the level of discomfort, you'll also decrease the amount of effort required for driving. This is especially important for long-distance driving and will increase your control and safety.
Best shoes for driving in the rain
You'll need to take greater care in wet weather. Slippery soles make it more likely that your foot will miss the pedal or slide off prematurely. To combat this, ensure you dry them thoroughly on the carpet in the footwell before driving.
Opting for shoes that have non-slip soles will help guarantee you're having enough pedal traction, specially when driving in the rain.
Top driving footwear tips
The Driving Standards Agency recommends wearing sensible clothing for driving, especially on a long journey.
Features of suitable driving footwear:
- The sole of the shoe should be no thicker than 10mm
- At the same time, the sole shouldn't be too thin or too soft
- There should be enough grip to prevent the sole from slipping off the pedals
- The shoe shouldn't be too heavy
- It shouldn't limit ankle movement
- It shouldn't be wide enough to mean accidentally stepping on two pedals
- Gym or walking shoes should work fine
Discover more driving advice with Evans Halshaw
The right footwear can make all the difference to your driving safety. Making sure you're wearing shoes that allow free movement and doesn't restrict the amount of control you have on your vehicle is key.
You can find more information at our Evans Halshaw blog, which is frequently populated with informative driving guides and tips for selling and buying a new vehicle.
