Driving barefoot in Tennessee is not illegal, but local regulations may prohibit it. While there are no federal or state laws against driving barefoot, some municipalities might have their own rules. Even though it’s generally legal, driving barefoot isn’t necessarily advisable, and could lead to accidents.
Even though barefoot driving itself isn’t a crime, a driver could be held liable if it contributes to an accident due to negligence. Law enforcement officers could potentially cite drivers for careless or reckless driving if they believe that wearing inappropriate footwear or no shoes at all caused an accident.
Considerations regarding barefoot driving:
- Legality Barefoot driving is not illegal in Tennessee, but local regulations may have their own rules.
- Safety Driving barefoot could make it harder to drive. Discarded footwear could get stuck under the car’s pedals, making it harder to brake or accelerate.
- Liability Drivers may be held liable for accidents caused by negligent driving, including inappropriate footwear or lack thereof.
- Reckless Driving A driver could be cited for reckless driving if being barefoot contributed to an accident.
- Motorcycles While driving barefoot is not illegal in Tennessee, it is not recommended for safety reasons. However, Alabama law states that “No person shall operate or ride upon a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle unless he is wearing shoes”.
- Insurance An auto insurance company may deny a claim if barefoot driving was a factor in a car accident.
source
[1] https://www.warfornash.com/post/is-it-illegal-to-drive-barefoot-tennessee
[2] https://www.metromile.com/blog/is-it-illegal-to-drive-barefoot/
[3] https://www.labrumlawfirm.com/blog/is-it-legal-to-drive-barefoot-in-tennessee/
[4] https://www.directauto.com/learning-center/driving-laws-and-safety/is-it-illegal-to-drive-barefoot
