Is it illegal to drive barefoot in Tennessee ? Here’s What Law Says!

Published On: August 4, 2025

Is it illegal to drive barefoot in Tennessee ? Here's What Law Says!

In Tennessee, the question of whether it’s illegal to drive barefoot comes up frequently—especially during summer or after a long day when drivers just want to kick off their shoes. The short answer for 2025 is: it is not illegal to drive barefoot in Tennessee.

Tennessee Law: There’s No Ban on Barefoot Driving

There is no provision in the Tennessee Code Annotated (the state’s law code) making it illegal to drive a car or motorcycle without shoes. This matches the law in all 50 states—there is simply no statewide driving law requiring footwear .

It’s legal to drive barefoot in both cars and motorcycles.

Most reports and legal experts confirm there are no Tennessee municipalities that outright ban barefoot driving, but it’s still wise to check for rare local ordinances if you’re concerned .

Why the Myth Exists

The widespread belief that barefoot driving is illegal likely persists because many safety advocates, law enforcement officers, and insurers strongly discourage the practice. They argue, and with good reason, that:

Bare feet can slip off pedals—especially when wet or sweaty .

Drivers may have less braking force or less control compared to wearing grippy shoes.

Shoes protect feet during a crash, while bare feet can be injured by debris or car parts.

Some insurance providers and law enforcement even say they could consider barefoot driving a factor if it contributed to an accident—they may cite you for careless or reckless driving only if your lack of shoes leads to unsafe operation or a crash .

Liability and Negligence Concerns

While you cannot be ticketed simply for driving barefoot, you can be found liable if it’s determined your lack of footwear caused a mishap on the road. For example:

If you lose control because your foot slipped off the pedal due to being barefoot, an officer might cite you for reckless or negligent driving .

In an accident, insurance could consider bare feet a contributing factor, possibly affecting fault or claim outcomes .

Key Footwear Advice for Drivers

Even though it’s legal:

Avoid flip-flops, high heels, slides, or heavy boots—these can be even more dangerous than barefoot driving.

Best practice: Keep a pair of safe, grippy driving shoes in your car for control and protection .

Driving barefoot is legal in Tennessee—and in every U.S. state. However, if you choose to drive shoeless, always prioritize safety: make sure you can operate all pedals properly and keep the area around your feet free from loose shoes or objects that could get stuck.

If your lack of footwear plays a part in unsafe driving or an accident, you could face legal and insurance consequences—but the act itself is not, and has never been, a ticketable offense under Tennessee law .

Sources

[1] https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/legal-drive-barefoot-tennessee-know-100408781.html
[2] https://labrumlawfirm.com/blog/is-it-legal-to-drive-barefoot-in-tennessee
[3] https://www.warfornash.com/post/is-it-illegal-to-drive-barefoot-tennessee
[4] https://expresslegalfunding.com/is-illegal-drive-barefoot/
[5] https://cdn.preterhuman.net/texts/law/driving.bar

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