It is not illegal to drive barefoot in Maryland. There are no state laws or regulations prohibiting you from operating a car, truck, or similar vehicle without shoes; this is a common misconception, but Maryland—like all 50 states—does not require drivers to wear any specific type of footwear while driving.
However, while the act itself is legal and you cannot be ticketed simply for being barefoot behind the wheel, safety and liability concerns remain. If you are involved in a car accident and your decision to drive barefoot is seen as contributing to the cause—such as your bare foot slipping off the pedal and causing a crash—you could be found partially or fully at fault for the accident. In such a case, you might face difficulty recovering compensation for injuries or damages, and insurance companies may claim your barefoot driving was a factor.
Key points:
You cannot be pulled over or fined solely for driving barefoot in Maryland.
It is legal to drive without shoes, sandals, flip-flops, or any particular footwear.
If barefoot driving is found negligent in an accident, it may negatively impact your insurance or legal claims.
It is legal to drive barefoot in Maryland, but you should carefully consider safety and potential consequences—especially regarding liability if you are in a crash.
Sources
[1] https://ricelawmd.com/is-it-illegal-to-drive-barefoot/
[2] https://www.mooney4law.com/blog/can-i-drive-without-shoes-in-maryland/
[3] https://www.thezebra.com/resources/driving/driving-barefoot/
[4] https://www.bobkatzlaw.com/blog/is-it-legal-to-drive-barefoot-in-maryland/
[5] https://wgk-law.com/blog/is-it-legal-to-drive-barefoot-in-maryland/
