No, it is not illegal to drive barefoot in West Virginia, as no state law mandates footwear for operating a motor vehicle. Officers can still cite unsafe driving if bare feet contribute to an accident or impaired control.
Legal Basis
West Virginia Code § 17C-15-46 requires vehicles to be operated safely but imposes no specific dress code, including shoes.
This aligns with all 50 states, where driving barefoot remains a persistent myth without statutory backing—DMV confirmations from the 1990s onward verify it.
Safety Risks
Bare feet reduce pedal grip, braking force, and reaction time, potentially leading to reckless driving charges under § 17C-4-1 (fines up to $100–$500).
In crashes, courts may factor it into negligence for civil liability, hiking insurance rates or fault percentages.
| Scenario | Legal Outcome |
|---|---|
| Barefoot, safe driving | Fully legal |
| Barefoot crash due to slip | Reckless driving citation |
| Flip-flops or heels | Same risk, no ban |
Recommendations
West Virginia DOT urges “proper footwear” for control; wear closed-toe shoes on highways. Exceptions like farm vehicles exist, but prioritize safety to avoid discretion-based tickets.
SOURCES :
- https://colonialdrivingschool.com/blog/is-driving-barefoot-illegal-in-va
- https://www.superlawyers.com/resources/traffic-violations/driving-barefoot-is-it-legal/
