Driving in slippers or flip-flops is not against any specific UK law, but motorists risk fines, penalty points, and invalidated insurance if their footwear contributes to an accident.
No specific law against slippers or barefoot driving
Technically, there is no law against driving barefoot in the UK. However, the Driving Standards Agency (DVSA) does not recommend it, as it can affect your ability to brake safely in an emergency. There is also a risk that your feet will slip from the pedals without proper traction.
The situation is similar for slippers or flip-flops. Wearing them to drive does not break any specific laws, but the DVSA recommends that anyone driving wears appropriate footwear.
What counts as appropriate footwear?
According to the AA, there are basic guidelines to follow when choosing footwear to drive in. As a general rule, shoes should have a sole no thicker than 10mm, but not be too soft or thin-soled either.
They should not limit ankle movement, should not be too heavy, and should provide enough grip to stop your foot slipping from the pedals. Shoes like high heels can be dangerous to drive in, as can hiking or snow boots. Drivers need to be able to have control of the vehicle, no matter what shoes they are wearing.
Penalties and insurance risks
Although there are no laws against wearing slippers to drive, that does not mean drivers are free of risk. If you drive in inappropriate shoes and they slip or catch under a pedal, leading to an accident, you can be charged by the police under the Road Traffic Act 1998.
You can receive an on-the-spot fine of £100 and three penalty points for driving without due care and attention. If the accident escalates to court, the penalty increases too, with charges up to £5,000, nine penalty points, and a potential driving ban. Outside of court and financial penalties, if your footwear is found to have contributed to an accident, it can invalidate your insurance and the insurer may refuse to pay out your claim.
