Rules regarding footwear while driving

Ok, this seems like a stupid question, but I recently got my driving license and can't remember the rules on this. Are there rules about the shoes that you have to wear when driving here? I know that driving barefoot is 'verboten' - what about flip flops/sandals? And high heels? I seem to remember a friend of mine changing shoes every time she drove...she seemed to believe that driving with high heels/sandals was not allowed here. Is this true?? Thanks in advance!

Logically they should be illegal. Drive in comfortable shoes/sneakers/trainers. High heels and "flip-flops" are just dangerous

i've been told that driving in flip-flops is illegal here...but i can't positively confirm that statement

I have no idea about the legalities, but from a practical point of view (i.e. not killing people), surely one should always wear comfortable shoes when driving. Do you want to drive in high-heeled shoes??

So yes, stupid question.

Driving barefoot is not verboten - very Urban Myth.
Driving with flipflops or backless sandals is a no-no*, though. Also with heels that can get stuck under the pedals or against a rug (if you have one).
*Basically: If you are not in command of your car for whatever reason you can be fined.

Take a look at any professional driver..

Does a Bus driver wear Flipflops or High heals whist he is driving...???

If you have any, let common sense prevail!

i love it how the men are commenting on driving in high heels...have you ever done it? i drive in heels every day and have never had any problem...just as comfy for me as any other shoes.

Please tell us your route to work and approximate timings.

You've obviously never met grinner!

Ok, I do not WANT to drive in high heels, but tend to wear shoes like this often...just wanted to check legalities as opposed to the US where I drove in flip flops all the time and did not kill anyone or cause any major accidents. Thanks for your help and don't worry, I'll wear proper shoes...am happy to post my car/license number for those who are worried about me and my common sense driving. haha. enjoy the sunshine today!

Shelly, we don't need actual experience. Logic would dictate that the angle of the foot whilst wearing high heels is not ideal for driving.

I however do have some experience and have found that it's much more comfortable to drive whilst wearing trainers than in my Manolo's.

Driving in heals is ok by law, as they are considered real shoes, right?
To add to the male view point here though for more important reasons: Don't drive in your good heals as you're ruining them!

But Keydeck..

If you are close enough to the steering wheel and the internal angle of your elbow is less than 45° then the angle of the High heels is probably correct!

Well anyone with a few brain cells can figure out that it's not safe.

I've driven in all kinds of shoes and also barefoot. I've never had difficulty, regardless of what I was wearing.

Driving in unsuitable or no footwear can be considered a Ordnungwidrigkeit under STVO §1 but the forumulation is vague and open to interpretation. §23 STVO looks at the Besetzung of a vehicle, if that person does something to hinder their ability to drive, then they are liable.

Cause an accident because your heels or flip-flop got caught or your sweaty foot slipped, you could well invalidate your insurance as well.

Why take the risk? If you need an operation after an accident, they'll take your nail varnish off anyway, so save your pedicure, wear the right shoes for the job.

Read the case law here.

My boyfriend often yells at me (well, not yells, but you know) for wearing open heeled shoes while driving. Well, in summer, that's pretty much all I have. I think if you don't feel comfortable driving in the shoes you are wearing, then, by all means, switch shoes. But, when I drive in my Tevas, they are not slipping off my feet.

Yaaar,
I be wantin to drive in m'knee high Pirate boots, do you think the landlubbers would be a letting me.

dunno whats dangerous about flipflops and other stuff being mentioned by people. I guess its what you are used to, I grew up driving in flipflops and never had a scratch on me car and if you know the streets of India then you know thats quite a feat...so drving in flipflops, well I guess we are used to it, in fact me friends used to complain when they would drive in trainers, they said that the trainers were "sticky" and not so easy on the pedals!

No real lady , older than 14 , should ever be seen in public in flat shoes. EVER.

Women's Liberation would be proud of you.

Oh, I do so agree. And as for denim... horrendous! Workmen's clothing, don't you know. Real ladies should take care to look delicate, feminine and pleasingly ornamental at all times. (As long as they are older than 14, of course. One could hardly expect such feats from a mere thirteen-and-a-half year-old.)

Query: Is the privacy of my own car to be regarded as public space if I change into decent shoes after I have parked but before I open the door to get out?

I do find this modern fashion for ladies to drive themselves most disconcerting. I'm not at all sure it's becoming. And as for changing the shoes... surely this would entail potential exposure of stockinged feet? Or even bending down?! Unthinkable!

I know this story's from the UK and hence not strictly relevant, but still:

I'd say it was highly relevant.

quite a lot of "probably", "may have" etc etc statements there. Dont think you can simply blame high heels for a stupid driver not adhering to speed limits and losing control of the auto.

From here: Safe Motoring

There's an advert on tv, for SEAT I think, that shows a female hitching her skirt up before driving off, absolutely disgusting! Where's the church when you need them?

Better than taking off her skirt before hitching.

I know one thing you must wear some kind of footwear.

I got stopped the other night on the way back from a reasonable journey and I had removed my shoes completely. I was stopped on a dark stretch of road for no reason, as always, and four of them jumped out and they all had strong torches and they scanned furiously into the car I was driving. The lady police pig then breathalysed me – I had not been drinking. While my documents were being feverishly scrutinize in the police van I gave the policeman, who watched over me, my best “you stupid wanker stare� - naturally he took offence so in retribution he told me to open the trunk and he poked his grubby hands over my personal belongings.

Finally the lady pig gave me a stern telling off that driving without shoes can cost me money and that I should not even contemplate this in the future.

how about special "driving shoes". I knew a german who always put on a pair of gloves when he was about to drive on the autobahn. Reminded me of Dick Darstedly..

Yes those German special driving shoes are lead weighted so as to get your boot down quicker - I have seen them at the ADAC stores.

Only if you cause an accident by driving without shoes. They cannot fine you for it. Did you have socks on or were you barefoot?

Socks - shoes were a bit tight so took them off.

Socks are just as dangerous as flipflops imo, being slippery at the best of times and sticky at others. Imagine a nice ripe sock glued to your gas pedal and a mad bike rider without a helmet crosses your path without lights against the direction and no-handed. Your chances of slamming on the brakes and saving the life of a moran free-spirited dare-devil are slim.

Me too have never had problems

Actually my driving instructor (who was a woman) told me that heels (ok not high, stiletto types) we actually very good for driving in. When you lift the ball of your foot off the clutch you are not bending your foot back as much

I generally just take my shoes off and drive barefoot if I think they are unsafe.

Flip flops are a no no indeed - my friend who is a driving instructor told me that.

Sarabyrd - I keep my socked feet fresh and dry by sticking them out the window while I drive maybe that's why those nice policepeople stopped me.
I find empty beer bottles rolling around the car floor the most dangerous as they often get themselves wedged under the brake pedal - I would really hate that to happen as one of those nice men in green, breathalyser in hand, stand in my path ordering me to stop.

If I am in an auto accident. I certainly want to be attractively dressed , so I have to wear high heels. As my parents always advised me ... "You never know when a photographer from Town and Country magazine is lurking in the bushes."

There's a certain saying about mutton and lamb, but it escapes me right now

I must be getting old. I was always told to wear nice underwear just in case I got involved in an accident.
*walks off humming "The Times, They Are A-Changin'"*

Don't worry Sara - you're not, I was always told the same re underwear. Although being a bit of a know it all kid with a million questions I tended to ask whether anyone (myself in particular) would give a flying monkeys about that if involved in an accident. Seemed odd to me, even as a kid.

Londine is being sarcastic, right?

I cannot drive with flip flops or high heels. So for me the question is answered easily.

No ,Not at all
I am not comfortable in flat shoes... they are for cleaning women. Bare feet are for women of questionable morals.

Nothing wrong with women with questionable morals!

Doent anybody make Heals that you can fold down for driving ( like the trainers with the rollerskates on the bottom), then you wouldnt have to take them off

Strange, most of the hookers I see along the B13 wear high heels. I have never seen them running around barefoot.

Mariposa, I think you have it backwards - heels are for women of questionable morals (just watch any porn flick - they never take those damn shoes off!).

BTW, drove to work in flip flops today but stashed a pair of penny loafers on the passenger side...just in case.

You mean Londine? I never said anything about anyone having questionable morals.

driving in heels or flip flops is dangerous, I just take my shoes off if Im driving and have shoes on that could be dangerous.
Besides, I LOVE driving barefoot, actually I hate wearing shoes and always go barefoot when I can, although Im always wearing heels which could be part of the reason I love to be bearfoot...If Im at my desk I never have shoes on, just slip them on when I have to go somewhere.

drove around mexico last year on holiday, hardly ever wore shoes the whole time!