What You Need to Know About Driving Barefoot

We live in a world full of rules. Assuming you’re not a staunch libertarian living in a cabin off the grid, it’s pretty difficult to keep up with all of them. In the case of driving rules, there’s a lot of confusion about what is and what isn’t illegal, as opposed to what is and what isn’t a bad idea. While the image of cruising along barefoot might seem appealing, especially in the Sunny Australian climate, the question of legality arises – is it illegal to drive barefoot?

The short answer is NO (as long as you hold a full icense)

No law in any Australian state or territory specifically prohibits driving barefoot.

However, there's a catch. While driving barefoot itself isn't illegal, it could get you into trouble under certain circumstances. We’re here to clear up the confusion, no matter what state you’re in. Read on and we’ll tell you more.

Related question – Is it illegal to drive in thongs?

Is it a good idea to drive barefoot?

There’s no specific rule or regulation in any state in Australia that says driving barefoot is illegal. But that doesn’t mean you should do it.

While it’s not in the category of drinking and driving, driving barefoot probably isn’t the best idea. The curves of your feet don’t match the flat profile of the accelerator or brake pedal, so you won’t get as much contact as you would if you were wearing a pair of tight-fitting shoes.

If you were to have to brake suddenly, you could also find yourself reluctant to smash your feet into the pedals, for fear of kicking your toe or slamming your bare feet on an exposed piece of metal. That may sound like a bizarre reason not to brake quickly, but you could unconsciously brake slower, even if you don’t mean to.

The ideal way to drive, according to police, is to wear a pair of properly fitting shoes that won’t slip around. If you’re going to drive barefoot, just knowing it could inhibit your driving might already make you drive a bit slower, and a bit safer. But if you have a spare pair of shoes you can afford to leave in the car, you should do it.

Is it illegal to drive barefoot in New South Wales?

No, it’s not illegal to drive barefoot in NSW. However, NSW road rule 297(1) says you must have proper control of your vehicle and not be distracted. That means that while you can’t be booked for driving barefoot specifically, you could be held responsible for an accident if police think your barefoot driving contributed to it and you may be fined and lose points.

Is it illegal to drive barefoot in Victoria?

No, it’s not illegal to drive barefoot in Victoria, though the Victoria Police recommend wearing sturdy footwear while driving. As in other states, the law requires you to have proper control of your vehicle at all times in Victoria. If your lack of footwear is deemed to have impaired your driving, you could be held responsible in the event of an accident.

Is it illegal to drive barefoot in Queensland?

Nope, it’s not illegal to drive barefoot in Queensland. BUT there is an exception to this rule. It’s only legal to drive barefoot in Queensland if you’re driving a car – defined as a vehicle weighing less than 4.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass, built to carry no more than 12 adults including the driver. If you’re driving anything larger than that, you need to wear shoes. That said, the police recommend wearing appropriate footwear to drive, no matter the vehicle size.

Is it illegal to drive barefoot in South Australia?

There are no specific rules about what you need to wear on your feet while driving in South Australia, as long as you hold a full license. That means that it’s not illegal to drive barefoot for full icense holders. If you hold a learner’s license, things work a little differently. For safety reasons learner drivers in SA cannot drive barefoot or in thongs and must wear appropriate footwear.

Is it illegal to drive barefoot in The Northern Territory?

Nope, it’s not illegal to drive barefoot in the Northern Territory. In fact it could be something more Territorians should consider – a study in 2015 found that 50% of teenage P platers in the NT wore thongs while driving. While it’s not illegal to drive in thongs, it’s not a good idea.

But instead of wearing thongs or driving barefoot, you could (and probably should!) just wear shoes.

Is it illegal to drive barefoot in Tasmania?

Our smallest state also has small regulations about driving barefoot – it’s not illegal to drive barefoot in Tasmania.

Is it illegal to drive barefoot in Western Australia?

No, it’s not illegal to drive barefoot in Western Australi, though like in other states, the WA Police Force recommend wearing appropriate footwear and the circumstances of not wearing shoes may be taking into account in case of an accident.

Is it illegal to drive barefoot in the ACT?

No, it’s not illegal to drive barefoot in Canberra. Expecting a quip? Nope, I ran out at Tasmania.

Conclusion: is it illegal to drive barefoot in Australia?

The short answer is no, it’s not illegal to drive barefoot in Australia. However, there are other reasons not to drive barefoot.

Safety First

While legal, driving barefoot is not necessarily the safest choice. Consider these factors:

• Reduced grip: Bare feet might slip off pedals, especially when wet. You simply don’t get as much contact with the pedals as you do when wearing shoes

• Foot injuries: Bare feet are more vulnerable to cuts or burns from hot pedals.

• Limited protection: Shoes offer some protection to your feet in case of a crash.

Add to that the fact your barefoot driving could be seen as the cause of an accident, and you’ve got a few great reasons why you shouldn’t drive barefoot. But it’s up to you – we won’t stop you from driving a GoGet car barefoot. If you choose to drive barefoot, make sure to be extra cautious and aware of the potential hazards.

This post shouldn’t be regarded as legal advice. Check that this information applies to your circumstances by speaking with your local road authority.

No Car to drive barefoot or otherwise?

If you don’t have a car to drive with or without shoes, GoGet can help! Your new life, free from the costs and hassles of car ownership, is just a quick application away! On-demand access to cars & vans by the hour, day or longer.