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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask if you can drive in any shoes?

115 replies

Allmyarseandpeggymartin · 20/01/2022 15:43

Tried to drive my (newish to me) car in boots with a small 1 inch heel today and constantly felt like I was going to stall the car!

I’ve been driving ages but I can’t see to drive in anything other than flat boots, converse or ballet flat!

Is it just me? What am I doing wrong? I don’t want to be going around revving like a boy racer cos I want to look less like a potato!

OP posts:

TomBradysLeftKneecap · 20/01/2022 23:43

I can drive in any shoe or no shoes at all. My son however, won't wear his Timberlands to drive in and will just take them with him and put them on when he gets there.

Notjustanymum · 21/01/2022 00:08

I can drive in any footwear, but not bare feet (which is illegal, as are flip-flops, although I’ve moved the car off-road in those in the past). I think it’s because, just as I have to be aware of different parts of my feet when walking in 4-inch heels, as opposed to DM’s, I apply the same logic to the pressing of the pedals. So in 4-inch heels, I’m not resting my heel on the floor pan, but in ballet pumps, I am.

That being said, I also change my shoe styles regularly, so don’t get stuck in a rut of only being comfortable in one heel height/sole depth or width Etc.
My DD, who rarely wears heels, and my DH, who regularly wears trainers, also find it hard to drive in different shoe styles, so I guess it’s just harder if you’re more used to one shoe style than a variety…

TomBradysLeftKneecap · 21/01/2022 01:14

@Notjustanymum

I can drive in any footwear, but not bare feet (which is illegal, as are flip-flops, although I’ve moved the car off-road in those in the past). I think it’s because, just as I have to be aware of different parts of my feet when walking in 4-inch heels, as opposed to DM’s, I apply the same logic to the pressing of the pedals. So in 4-inch heels, I’m not resting my heel on the floor pan, but in ballet pumps, I am. That being said, I also change my shoe styles regularly, so don’t get stuck in a rut of only being comfortable in one heel height/sole depth or width Etc. My DD, who rarely wears heels, and my DH, who regularly wears trainers, also find it hard to drive in different shoe styles, so I guess it’s just harder if you’re more used to one shoe style than a variety…

No it isn't! It's perfectly legal to drive in whatever footwear you want or none whatsoever. It's just suggested by the RAC and AA that you drive with shoes on.

PolkadotsAndCandyfloss · 21/01/2022 02:09

I was in the car with my family when I was a teenager and when we were in traffic barely moving, the car behind suddenly bashed into the back of us. The driver was wearing heels and lost control - we were fine but the damage to the car was pretty bad. It’s not safe to yourself or others to wear heels when driving.

Alwayssupportingdifference · 21/01/2022 02:25

I don't understand the problem with driving bare foot. I hadn't realised it was illegal though so need to stop doing it obviously

I find it easy, safe and comfortable. Far more in tune with the car. Only do it in summer when I slip off flip flops to do so.

NumberTheory · 21/01/2022 03:23

@Alwayssupportingdifference

I don't understand the problem with driving bare foot. I hadn't realised it was illegal though so need to stop doing it obviously

I find it easy, safe and comfortable. Far more in tune with the car. Only do it in summer when I slip off flip flops to do so.

It’s not illegal.

The Highway Code (rule 97) only says that clothing and footwear should not prevent you from using controls in the correct manner. If you are able to control the car properly barefoot you are well within the law.

NumberTheory · 21/01/2022 03:32

OP I found it impossible to drive in my boots with a heel at first. But I wanted to wear them to work without having to swap every time I got in and out of the car. So I went to an empty car park and drove around, concentrating on braking and accelerating for an hour. Way more intense than driving on the road and with the freedom to concentrate on the feel of it. After that I was fine.

Wilburisagirl · 21/01/2022 03:38

I can drive in any shoes but prefer to be barefoot.

sashh · 21/01/2022 04:03

@Notjustanymum

I can drive in any footwear, but not bare feet (which is illegal, as are flip-flops, although I’ve moved the car off-road in those in the past). I think it’s because, just as I have to be aware of different parts of my feet when walking in 4-inch heels, as opposed to DM’s, I apply the same logic to the pressing of the pedals. So in 4-inch heels, I’m not resting my heel on the floor pan, but in ballet pumps, I am. That being said, I also change my shoe styles regularly, so don’t get stuck in a rut of only being comfortable in one heel height/sole depth or width Etc. My DD, who rarely wears heels, and my DH, who regularly wears trainers, also find it hard to drive in different shoe styles, so I guess it’s just harder if you’re more used to one shoe style than a variety…

Not illegal at all.

I'm disabled, I do have legs and feet, I just don't use them with driving.

I have hand controls so I'd argue the toss if I was pulled over and told I couldn't drive in bare feet.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 21/01/2022 05:19

@Alwayssupportingdifference

I don't understand the problem with driving bare foot. I hadn't realised it was illegal though so need to stop doing it obviously

I find it easy, safe and comfortable. Far more in tune with the car. Only do it in summer when I slip off flip flops to do so.

Don't worry, it's not illegal

DarlingCoffee · 21/01/2022 06:02

I have specific driving shoes that I use for driving! I definitely can’t drive in any shoes. Converse are good or most flats.

OhWhyNot · 21/01/2022 06:30

I can drive in any shoes but I don’t in heels it’s not as comfortable (higher heels) I just then drive bare foot

Or wedge sandals as too heavy footed then

Notjustanymum · 21/01/2022 09:11

Hmmm - seems barefoot isn’t illegal… however, my friend was pulled over by the Police and told it was, so I’ve never dared to do it!
I suppose it’s one of those issues where they can argue you weren’t in full control of your vehicle or you were driving without due care and attention, and use bare feet as an excuse - wouldn’t be the first time a spurious “offence” was tried on, I guess

nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut · 21/01/2022 09:18

I can but my car is auto. If I have to drive a manual it needs to be thin soles and secured to my feet, no flip flops. Otherwise I just have to kick them off and drive in socks.

Alwayssupportingdifference · 22/01/2022 10:03

Thanks re heads-up with it not being illegal, I thought that was a little strange. Although I will of course check with other sources rather than being pulled over by the police and using the defense .... well people on Mumsnet said .....

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