Driving barefoot in Missouri is not illegal. There is no Missouri state law or local ordinance that prohibits operating a car without shoes. You can legally drive barefoot at any time, and you will not receive a ticket or penalty merely for not wearing shoes while driving. The Missouri State Highway Patrol has confirmed that going barefoot behind the wheel is permitted, and in some circumstances, it may be safer than wearing certain types of footwear that can slip off or become lodged under the pedals, such as high heels or flip-flops.
However, while the law does not forbid it, driving barefoot is sometimes discouraged by law enforcement and safety experts. If an accident occurs and driving without shoes contributed in any way—such as causing your foot to slip off the pedals or reducing your control—it could be considered a factor in determining fault or liability. In such a case, you might face additional scrutiny or a charge related to careless or reckless driving, not because you were barefoot, but because you failed to maintain safe operation of your vehicle.
To summarize, Missouri law allows barefoot driving. The choice remains with drivers, but safety and control should always be considered. Driving barefoot is not a violation of any Missouri statute, and you will not be fined simply for choosing to drive without shoes.
Sources
[1] https://www.mshp.dps.mo.gov/MSHPWeb/Root/March2013FeaturedStatutes.html
[2] https://thebradleylawfirm.com/blog/is-it-legal-to-drive-barefoot-in-missouri/
[3] https://www.bobeuckmanford.com/blog-common-questions-about-missouri-driving-laws.htm
[4] https://www.superlawyers.com/resources/traffic-violations/driving-barefoot-is-it-legal/
[5] https://www.schaeferautobody.com/is-driving-barefoot-legal-in-missouri/
