Is it legal to drive barefoot or without shoes?

It is interesting to note that riding barefoot seems to be unique to the Australians.

No, it's not illegal to drive barefoot, but under many Australian road rules, a police officer can still fine you if they think you're not in full control of your vehicle.

While writing this article, I actually tried to trace the etymology of the myth that driving barefoot is forbidden, but ultimately without success. Unfortunately, I will have to unravel the mystery of who is responsible for the story of this old wife, the one who got lost in the depths of the Internet.

In Australia, I have not been able to find any law explicitly banning barefoot riding or requiring you to cover your feet in some way. It is interesting to note that barefoot driving seems to be a unique Australian trait, despite the fact that we have hundreds of potentially deadly animals lurking along the sides of our roads.

The temptation is great, however, due to our hot climate and the preference to wear thongs (flip-flops for you Americans out there) to keep you cool or comfortable after finishing at the beach.

Loose shoes such as thongs (flip flops) can easily get stuck under the pedals, causing people to lose control of their car with disastrous consequences. This is why many driving instructors prefer people to drive barefoot rather than loose shoes or even high heels.

However, you need to make sure you dry your feet and make sure they have a firm grip on the pedals before you hit the road. It's also important to note that some cars have metal trim on the pedals, which can burn the soles of your feet on very hot days when you're trying to ride barefoot.

We also couldn't find any mention of barefoot driving being an exception to comprehensive insurance policies, although we recommend checking the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for the full list of exclusions that apply to the product you purchased.

Because driving barefoot is not strictly illegal, there is no law to cite, making this myth easily propagated. But it's worth checking out this blog from a legal services provider based in Sydney that operates nationally.

This article is not intended as legal advice. You should check with your local road authorities to make sure the information written here is appropriate for your situation before driving this way.