Barefoot driving is generally legal in the United States
There is no general U.S. law making it illegal to drive a car without shoes, and states do not typically require drivers to wear footwear. The widespread belief often comes from safety advice being mistaken for a legal rule.
That does not mean a driver is free of responsibility if going barefoot interferes with control. Police can still act under broader traffic laws if a driver’s conduct—barefoot or otherwise—amounts to careless or reckless driving. If a crash occurs, whether the driver could operate the pedals safely may also become relevant when fault is assessed.
The practical issue is pedal control
A shoe can protect the foot and provide a firm surface, but bulky, loose, or slippery footwear can also catch on a pedal or make it harder to feel how much pressure is being applied. Bare feet avoid those particular problems, yet may be uncomfortable or slip, especially if wet. The relevant question is not simply whether shoes are on, but whether the driver can reliably press and release the pedals.
If footwear is removed, it should be kept out of the footwell, where it could slide beneath a pedal. Legal does not automatically mean safe: drivers are responsible for maintaining control, whatever they are wearing.
