Maybe you’ve spent the day at the beach, and the idea of putting your shoes back on over your sandy feet before driving home feels completely unappealing. Or perhaps you’re wearing a pair of impractical high heels and decide that navigating your drive without shoes is the better option.
But, as you place your bare foot on the pedal, a nagging question might pop into your head: “Wait, is it legal to drive without shoes?”
While the short answer to whether it is or isn’t illegal to drive barefoot in Australia might surprise you, it’s also only half the story.
For example, can it be safer to drive barefoot rather than wearing a pair of thongs that could slip off the pedal? Are some types of footwear better suited for driving than others? Are there different state laws on driving barefoot? And regardless of whether it’s illegal or not, could driving barefoot affect your car insurance if you’re involved in a run-of-the-mill accident and need to make a claim?
We’ve put together this guide to answer these questions, starting with whether or not driving barefoot is legal.
Are you allowed to drive barefoot in Australia?
Yes. While there are some unusual road rules to be aware of, as well as some unofficial rules of etiquette that you may wish to observe, there aren’t any barefoot driving laws in Australia.1
“Driving barefoot is not illegal in Australia,” confirms Michael Fitzgibbins, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Road Sense Australia.
“And there is currently little high-quality, peer-reviewed evidence demonstrating that barefoot driving is inherently more dangerous than driving in appropriate footwear.”
“However, drivers should avoid anything that may interfere with their ability to operate the pedals safely and maintain proper control of the vehicle.”
While it isn't technically illegal, there may still be practical safety reasons not to drive barefoot, adds Fitzgibbins.
“Driving in suitable enclosed footwear can protect the feet from broken glass, hot surfaces or debris following a crash; and it may be more comfortable when significant braking force is required,” he explains
“But ultimately, the most important issue is not whether a driver is barefoot – it’s whether they can operate the pedals effectively, respond appropriately in an emergency and remain in full control of the vehicle at all times.”
Is it illegal to drive in thongs in Australia?
No.1 However, Fitzgibbins says thongs could be considered inappropriate footwear for driving.
“Loose footwear such as thongs can reduce pedal feel or become caught beneath the pedals, creating an obvious hazard,” he notes, explaining that this means driving barefoot may even be preferable in circumstances like these.
“When the alternative is footwear that reduces your ability to control the pedals or could become trapped beneath them, removing that footwear may be the safer option,” he says.
“If you do so, store the footwear securely in the rear footwell behind a seat, or in the boot, never on the driver’s floor where it could slide under the pedals or become a projectile in a crash.”
What do Australian road rules actually say?
While driving barefoot or while you’re wearing thongs isn’t illegal in Australia, as Fitzgibbins has flagged, drivers are required to be in proper control of their vehicle at all times. In fact, there’s legislation in Australia that states as much.2
The relevant road rule, which is technically known as Rule 297, doesn’t specifically mention anything about driving barefoot or driving while wearing inappropriate footwear,2 but both may be considered among actions that inhibit a driver from maintaining proper control of their car.3
If police determine that your footwear, or lack of it, caused you to drive unsafely, you could be penalised.1,3
Fines and demerit points for driving without proper control vary around the country, noting that Western Australia is the only state in the country that hasn’t enacted Rule 297.4,5 Instead, there’s a road rule about careless driving in WA that may apply.5
Here’s a breakdown of the potential penalties you could face around the country if you're caught driving without proper control of your car.
| State or territory | Fine | Demerit points |
| Australian Capital Territory | $5106 | 06 |
| New South Wales | $5627 | 37 |
| Northern Territory | Not specified8 | Not specified8 |
| Queensland | Maximum of $3,4549,10 | Not specified11 |
| South Australia | $23612 | 012 |
| Tasmania | $20213 | 013 |
| Victoria | $1,045.5014,15 | Not specified16 |
| Western Australia | Maximum of $1,5005,17 | 318 |
What if you have an accident while driving barefoot or wearing inappropriate footwear?
If the police determine that your choice of footwear contributed to the car accident, you may be at risk of receiving a fine, such as those listed above.1,3
It’s also worth noting that while your choice of shoes or driving barefoot doesn’t automatically affect your car insurance cover, if you need to make a claim and your footwear, or lack of it, is found to have played a role in the incident via a police report, your insurer may take this into account when assessing your claim.3
What is the safest footwear for driving?
“From a practical perspective, the ideal driving shoe is one that allows you to maintain precise pedal control,” says Fitzgibbins.
Generally speaking, he explains, this means a shoe that:
- Fits securely and won’t slip off
- Provides good grip on the pedals
- Allows unrestricted ankle movement
- Has a relatively thin, flexible sole so you can accurately feel the pedals
- Is comfortable enough to operate the pedals smoothly during both normal and emergency braking.
“Interestingly, these are many of the same characteristics found in professional motorsport footwear, where drivers rely on maximum pedal feel and precise control,” Fitzgibbins observes.
“In contrast, footwear that is loose, bulky or restricts movement has the potential to reduce pedal sensitivity or interfere with safe pedal operation.”
In addition to thongs – and high heels – Fitzgibbins says this can include
footwear with thick, rigid soles such as:
- Work boots
- Walking boots
- Gumboots
- Ski boots
“Ultimately, there is no single ‘approved’ driving shoe,” he points out. “The important principle is that whatever you choose to wear should allow you to maintain full control of the vehicle at all times. That’s also the legal expectation placed on every driver in Australia.”
If you regularly wear work boots, high heels or other footwear that’s not ideal for driving, Fitzgibbins advises that you consider keeping a lightweight pair of enclosed driving shoes in the car.
“So, whatever footwear you choose, ask yourself one simple question, ‘Can I operate every pedal smoothly, accurately and confidently, including in an emergency?’”
While there isn’t a ban on kicking off your shoes when you get behind the wheel, now that you understand more about the legislation around maintaining proper control of your car, hopefully you feel better placed to make a choice about the footwear you wear for driving.
And, if you’d like to discover whether one of Youi’s car insurance options is a bit more you-shaped, why not consider starting a quote online or by giving us a call on 13 9684?
1Source: Drive – Is it legal to drive while wearing thongs or sandals in Australia?, December 2025
2Source: Australasian Parliamentary Counsel’s Committee – Australian Road Rules, June 2023
3Source: Lawpath – Is Driving Without Shoes Illegal in Australia?, June 2026
4Source: National Transport Commission – Developing technology-neutral road rules for driver distraction, December 2018
5Source: WA Government – Road Traffic Act 1974, January 2025
6Source: ACT Government – Road Transport (Offences) Regulation 2005, July 2026
7Source: NSW Government – Search offences and penalties, n.d.
8Source: NT Government – Traffic Regulations 1999, May 2026
9Source: Qld Government – Transport Operations (Road Use Management – Road Rules) Regulation 2009, July 2026
10Source: Qld Government – Sentencing fines and penalties for offences, July 2024
11Source: Qld Government – Demerit points schedule, July 2026
12Source: SA Police – Expiable Offences & Fees – Traffic, July 2026
13Source: Tas Government Transport Services – Find a traffic offence, July 2026
14Source: Vic Government – Road Safety Rules 2017, February 2026
15Source: Magistrates’ Court of Victoria – Court fees and costs ready reckoner, June 2026
16Source: Vic Government – Road Safety (Drivers) Regulations 2019, April 2025
17Source: WA Government – Driving offences (speeding, alcohol and traffic), October 2025
18Source: WA Government – Road Traffic (Authorisation to Drive) Regulations 2014, July 2026
