Driving barefoot in Minnesota is not illegal. There are no laws in Minnesota that specifically prohibit operating a motor vehicle without shoes on. This is a widespread misconception, likely due to drivers believing that shoe-less driving might violate safety standards. However, Minnesota state law does not mention footwear requirements for drivers, and the Minnesota State Patrol has confirmed that driving barefoot is legal. In fact, it’s technically legal to drive barefoot in all 50 states.
While it’s lawful, safety experts—and even the Minnesota State Patrol—recommend wearing secure footwear because driving barefoot can impact your ability to safely control the pedals, especially under emergency conditions. In contrast, loose sandals or flip-flops are actually considered more dangerous since they can slip off easily, get caught under the pedals, and interfere with braking or accelerating. Some officials even recommend going barefoot over wearing flip-flops if that’s your only alternative, due to the greater risk posed by loose shoes.
It’s important to understand that even though driving barefoot itself isn’t illegal, any driving behavior that results in an accident, impedes your control, or contributes to unsafe driving could be scrutinized. For example, if a crash occurs and the officer determines that your lack of footwear played a role, you could still face penalties under general safety statutes or be found at fault for negligence in a liability claim.
You are legally permitted to drive barefoot in Minnesota, but you should consider wearing proper, secure footwear for optimal control and safety. Loose-fitting shoes are more likely to cause problems than driving without shoes, but either practice could lead to civil or insurance complications if it contributes to an accident.
Sources
[1] https://kxrb.com/is-it-illegal-to-drive-barefoot-in-minnesota/
[2] https://krfofm.com/the-truth-about-driving-barefoot-in-minnesota-is-it-legal-or-not/
[3] https://expresslegalfunding.com/is-illegal-drive-barefoot/
[4] https://www.meshbesher.com/news-and-updates/little-known-minnesota-driving-laws/
[5] https://www.nelsonpersonalinjury.com/can-i-drive-barefoot-in-minnesota/
