Driving barefoot in Alabama is not illegal for drivers of cars or trucks—there is no state law prohibiting it. However, Alabama does require motorcycle and motor-driven cycle riders to wear shoes: operating a motorcycle barefoot is illegal and can result in a traffic ticket.
While you cannot be fined, penalized, or arrested solely for driving a car or truck barefoot in Alabama, authorities and legal professionals caution that barefoot driving may present safety risks. If you are involved in an accident while driving barefoot, law enforcement or insurance companies may scrutinize whether your lack of footwear contributed to the incident, which could affect fault determination or claims.
Alabama follows contributory negligence laws, so if it is found that your bare feet contributed partially to an accident, you could be denied compensation by an insurance company or in court, even when barefoot driving itself is not unlawful.
Local ordinances across Alabama do not typically prohibit barefoot driving for passenger vehicles, but you are responsible for safe vehicle operation. Footwear with poor grip (such as flip-flops or slides) is also discouraged, as it could slip off and impede pedal control, but there are no specific statutes governing shoe type for car drivers.
Driving barefoot in Alabama is legal for car and truck operators, but is illegal for motorcycle and motor-driven cycle riders. Police cannot cite you simply for lack of shoes unless you are on a motorcycle; however, if barefoot driving causes unsafe conditions or leads to an accident, it may be considered negligent under Alabama’s contributory negligence rules.
Sources
[1] https://www.rjaffelaw.com/blog/is-it-legal-to-drive-barefoot-in-alabama/
[2] https://lattoflaw.com/is-it-legal-to-drive-barefoot-in-alabama/
[3] https://953thebear.com/alabama-can-you-get-in-legal-trouble-for-driving-barefoot/
[4] https://www.hedgecopeland.com/is-it-illegal-to-drive-barefoot-in-alabama/
[5] https://www.autoinsurance.com/faqs/illegal-to-drive-barefoot/
