Driving Barefoot or with Flip-Flops in WA: Is it Legal?

Safe driving is essential. You must drive at a safe speed, pay attention to other drivers, and avoid getting distracted by devices, food, and beverages. 

Even if you give 100 percent attention to the road - what you wear on your feet can still contribute to a proper response time.

I've driven barefoot and with flip-flops - was I breaking the law here in Washington?

So, Can you drive barefoot in Washington?

All 50 states allow you to drive your vehicle barefoot, including the state of Washington.

Many online sources say that, for safety reasons, you should still wear regular shoes while driving and forego driving barefoot. 

How about flip-flops? In most states, flip-flops are okay. But how about here in Washington?

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Driving In Flip-Flops in Washington

Flip-flops are a must in the summer.  But driving in flip-flops can be dangerous for several reasons. 

* Flip-flops are hardly the most stable footwear, and your foot might slip off the pedal while trying to change gears or use the gas pedal.

* You won’t have enough grip on the pedals and sudden stress on your flip-flops, like if you have to break suddenly. The stress from your foot action can cause your flip-flops to snap, and you potentially get into an accident. 

* Flip-flops allow your toe to get stuck underneath the brake pedal. Once you've figured out how to get it back on the correct side - you could be involved in a sudden accident.

The above three reasons are only part of why driving and wearing flip-flops isn’t legal in Montana or Washington!