Drivers given £100 fine warning over wearing style of footwear behind the wheel
In more serious cases penalties can escalate sharply if improper footwear is deemed to have contributed to an accident — fines up to £5,000, nine points on your licence, or even a driving ban
As temperatures rise and summer approaches, many drivers reach for their favourite footwear — flip-flops, Crocs or sandals — before hitting the road.
But while these styles may be comfortable for the beach, experts and motoring authorities warn that wearing the wrong footgear could land drivers with a £100 fine — and potentially much harsher penalties — if they are found to have compromised safety behind the wheel.
It is a common misconception that driving in flip-flops, or even barefoot, is illegal in the UK — but there is no specific law banning any footwear, or the lack of it altogether, while operating a motor vehicle.
The RAC confirms that 'it is not illegal to drive in the UK without shoes on and the same applies for wearing flip flops'. However, the crucial point is whether your choice of footwear allows you to operate the vehicle's controls safely.
Rule 97 of the Highway Code states that drivers must ensure their clothing and footwear do not prevent them from "using the controls in the correct manner".
If police believe your footwear, or lack of it, has impaired your control of the vehicle — such as causing your foot to slip off the pedals or get caught underneath — you could be charged with 'driving without due care and attention' or 'not being in proper control of a motor vehicle'.
If stopped by police or involved in an accident, drivers found to be wearing inappropriate footwear risk an on-the-spot fine of £100 and three penalty points on their licence. In more serious cases, especially if the incident goes to court, the penalties can escalate sharply: fines up to £5,000, nine penalty points and even a driving ban are possible if it's found that improper footwear contributed to a loss of control or an accident.
As managing director at CarMats4U.com, Jamie Barke, explains: 'While it's not explicitly illegal to drive in flip-flops or Crocs in the UK, the Highway Code Rule 97 states that drivers must wear clothing and footwear that allow them to use the vehicle controls properly. If you're found to be driving without proper control, you could be charged with careless driving,'
Experts warn that flip-flops, Crocs and similar backless or loose-fitting shoes can easily slip off, get wedged under pedals, or fail to provide the grip and support needed for safe driving. The RAC recommends that suitable driving shoes should have a sole no thicker than 10mm, but not too thin or soft, provide enough grip to prevent slipping off the pedals, not be too heavy or restrict ankle movement, and be narrow enough to avoid pressing two pedals at once.
Driving in flip-flops - the stats
Louise Thomas, car insurance expert at Confused.com, said: 'While it isn't against the law to drive in certain footwear or clothes, if you get involved in an accident, you could be charged with dangerous driving.
'That's why you should always make sure your driving capability isn't impacted and that you have full control of your vehicle at all times."
Louise also detailed how research by insurance experts showed that 16% of motorists had been involved in an accident or near-miss due to driving in flip-flops. In the event of a crash, insurance companies may even refuse to pay out if it's determined that inappropriate footwear contributed to the incident.
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