It is not illegal to drive barefoot in Iowa. It is not against the law to drive barefoot in Iowa. It is not illegal to drive barefoot in the Hawkeye State but it is not safe.You can’t be pulled over for driving barefoot and you can’t be issued a ticket for driving barefoot. Iowa stands out from other states in its official stance. Iowa has officially declared barefoot driving unsafe in its policy, although it is legal. Knowing the legal and official position on safety is what every driver in Iowa needs to know.
Key Takeaways
- It’s not illegal to drive barefoot in Iowa. There is no passenger vehicle footwear law in the Iowa Code.
- There is no law against driving barefoot in Iowa but it is considered unsafe. Iowa is one of only two states to publicly condemn barefoot driving for safety reasons – the other being Indiana.
- You can’t be ticketed for barefoot driving. There is no reason for an Iowa police officer to pull you over or issue a citation for driving barefoot.
- There’s no Iowa law against barefoot driving. But it may be less safe and result in pedal problems.
- Iowa follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Your damages can be reduced or barred if barefoot driving is a contributing factor in the accident.
- Barefoot driving can lead to distracted driving accidents, for which drivers can be liable for damages.
Iowa Law and Barefoot Driving
Iowa traffic laws are contained in Iowa Code Title VI, which relates to motor vehicles, transportation and regulatory provisions. It makes no mention of driver footwear.
There is no law against driving barefoot in Iowa. But it may be less safe and could cause difficulty controlling the pedals.
Not only is it legal to drive barefoot in Iowa, but it’s also not illegal to drive barefoot in any state.
Iowa Code’s inaction on footwear is in line with all other states. There is also no federal law that regulates the footwear of drivers. Iowa law, like that of every other state, is concerned with how a driver operates a vehicle, not what they wear. If a driver drives safely, obeys the law, and does nothing wrong, they will not be at fault – no matter what they are wearing.
Iowa’s Safety Stance: Why It’s Different
This is the nuance that sets Iowa apart from most other states, and what all drivers must know.
It’s not illegal to drive barefoot in Iowa, but it’s unsafe. Iowa is one of a handful of states – Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and Wyoming – that has not only not prohibited barefoot driving, but has also issued an official statement of policy formally declaring it unsafe.
This makes a difference in court. When a state’s official policy formally condemns a practice as unsafe, it can be cited by insurance companies and the lawyers of the other side in the event of an accident. A lawyer who can cite the official position of the Iowa government in support of a negligence claim is on stronger ground than a lawyer working in a state where the government has not taken a position.
Iowa’s condemnation is based on identified safety concerns with pedal control. It is easier to slip off the pedals when you are barefoot, particularly if you have been swimming or walking on the sand. You can’t push the pedals as hard when braking and accelerating. Barefoot driving may be distracting if you get a foot injury.
These are not theoretical issues. They represent the reality of barefoot pedal contact, especially in the summer months in Iowa, where barefoot drivers often return to their cars after beach or poolside fun.
Will I Get Pulled Over or Ticketed for Driving Barefoot in Iowa?
No, just for driving barefoot. There is no provision in Iowa law for police to pull over or issue a ticket to a barefoot driver.
If you do happen to get into an accident and you are not wearing footwear, there are no additional penalties.
The potential liability comes from unsafe driving. Iowa law includes broad provisions for the offence of reckless and careless driving that apply when the driver loses control of the vehicle, for any reason. If barefoot driving is found to have played a role in an accident, the driver may be charged with:
- Careless driving
- Reckless driving
- Driving while distracted if shoe adjustment was distracting
- Failure to maintain vehicle control
In all cases, the offence is not against barefoot driving itself but against the unsafe driving or the distraction.
The Impact of Driving Barefoot in Iowa
Iowa follows a modified comparative fault system. This means fault is allocated amongst the parties. This means that a plaintiff’s recovery is proportionally reduced by his or her fault, and if a plaintiff is 50 percent or more at fault, he or she cannot recover at all.
While it is legal to drive in flip-flops or other footwear (or no footwear) in Iowa, it may cause trouble for a negligent driver. Changing footwear while driving constitutes distracted or reckless driving, and can result in civil liability if an accident occurs. Accident victims may be able to recover damages in a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the negligent driver’s insurance carrier.
The impact for barefoot drivers is significant. In any Iowa accident where a driver’s control of the pedals is in doubt, barefoot driving provides an opposing party with two weapons: Iowa’s official condemnation of barefoot driving as unsafe and the general negligence argument that a reasonable driver would have worn footwear. These can be used to argue for a substantial fault allocation that decreases or eliminates a barefoot driver’s recovery.
Barefoot Driving and Insurance in Iowa
In addition to civil liability, barefoot driving can impact the way insurance companies in Iowa respond to a claim, even if a driver was not issued a citation.
There is also a risk of the insurance company refusing to pay claims and denying the injured driver from recovering damages.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that in 2020, over 3,100 people were killed and 424,000 injured by distracted driving in the US. Insurance adjusters scrutinise every aspect of the accident. Driving barefoot, along with Iowa’s official position on the unsafe nature of the practice, provides them with a very strong argument in any case where pedal control is in question. Keeping a pair of flat shoes in the car eliminates this issue.
How Iowa Compares to Other States
Iowa’s legal allowability and official condemnation of barefoot driving is unique.
| State | Barefoot Driving Legal | Official Safety Position | Negligence Standard |
| Iowa | Yes | Formally condemned as unsafe | Modified comparative (50% bar) |
| Indiana | Yes | Formally condemned as unsafe | Modified comparative (50% bar) |
| Ohio | Yes | BMV advises against it | Modified comparative (51% bar) |
| Georgia | Yes (cars) | No formal position | Modified comparative (50% bar) |
| California | Yes | CHP confirms no restriction | Pure comparative |
| North Carolina | Yes | No formal position | Contributory (full bar) |
| Alabama | Yes (cars) | Warns against motorcycle barefoot riding | Contributory (full bar) |
| Tennessee | Yes | Formally condemned as unsafe | Comparative |
| Oklahoma | Yes | No formal position | Modified comparative (51% bar) |
| Florida | Yes | No formal position | Pure comparative |
| Michigan | Yes | No formal position | Modified comparative |
| Texas | Yes | No formal position | Modified comparative |
| Illinois | Yes | No formal position | Modified comparative |
Is Barefoot Driving Safe? An Iowa-Specific Assessment
Iowa’s official condemnation of barefoot driving is based on concerns that are well supported by traffic safety research and that are especially pertinent to the Iowa driving environment.
Genuine Risks
Feet can slip off the pedals, particularly when wet or sweaty, which could result in losing control of the car. The absence of the usual shoe fit and feel could mean a slower reaction to the pedals, which could lead to accidents. Bare feet can be more vulnerable to cuts, scrapes or even more severe injuries in the case of an accident involving broken glass or metal shards. Pressure on the pedals might be more painful without the padding and support of shoes.
Other risks unique to Iowa’s driving conditions include:
- Summer activities: Iowa summers often involve returning to the car from water activities (lakes, rivers, etc.) and outdoor festivals with wet feet, the worst case scenario for pedal slippage
- Rural two-lane driving: Iowa has many rural two-lane roads where quick stops are frequent and pedal stability is important
- Winter weather: Iowa’s winter weather creates icy roads and cold feet that decrease sensitivity and power for barefoot drivers
- Interstate driving: Iowa’s role as a cross-country travel hub means many long trips are undertaken, where bare feet fatigue after a period of time due to lack of shoe support
When Bare Feet Are Better
Contrary to Iowa’s stance on safety, not all shoes are better than bare feet. Footwear experts consistently rank some footwear as more hazardous than bare feet.
Some soles and long laces can become entangled. You may want to go barefoot if you’re driving in slippery shoes. There are many accidents or close calls each year because of shoes getting stuck or not being able to reach the foot pedals. Anything that delays your reaction time (to brake) can lead to an accident.
If you keep the shoes in the driver’s footwell, the shoes could get caught under the brake pedal, which could be fatal.
The following table shows the danger level of shoes:
| Footwear Type | Pedal Control | Risk Level |
| Barefoot | Moderate | Medium |
| Flat sneakers | High | Low |
| Flip-flops | Low | High |
| High heels | Very low | Very high |
| Heavy boots | Low-Moderate | Medium-High |
| Sandals | Low | High |
When to Avoid Driving Barefoot in Iowa
While not illegal to drive barefoot in Iowa, some driving conditions are particularly ill-advised:
- Post water sports: Damp feet from Iowa’s numerous lakes, rivers and swimming pools are the highest risk situation for barefoot slippage
- Rain and road spray: Wet floors and foot slippage on pedals
- Cold weather: Cold bare feet on cold metal pedals decrease sensitivity and effectiveness of braking
- Dark country roads: Poor visibility and variable road surfaces require precise pedal control
- Long interstate trips: Fatigued bare feet on long drives decrease pedal responsiveness over time
Expert and Legal Perspectives
Tom Fowler Law, a personal injury practice in Des Moines, confirms that barefoot driving is legal in Iowa and that no citation can be issued for driving barefoot alone. Their published advice states that Iowa’s personal injury law mandates drivers follow traffic rules and drive defensively for the safety of all motorists. They note that, when footwear choices are a contributing factor in an accident, civil liability may result despite the lack of a traffic citation.
LawInfo, a national legal reference and education site reviewed by licensed attorneys, reports that no state has a motor vehicle code prohibiting barefoot driving. Their research confirms that Iowa’s condemnation is a safety description, not a legal ban, but one that has legal implications in civil court and insurance settlements.
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has linked loose footwear to unintentional pedal use. Although this confirms that unsafe footwear is an issue, it supports the idea that pedal control is a safety issue that Iowa’s condemnation appropriately reflects.
Also Read: Is It Illegal To
Conclusion
It’s legal to drive barefoot in Iowa. There is no law in the Iowa Code mandating footwear for passenger car drivers, no police officer can issue you a citation for driving barefoot, and there are no additional traffic violations for driving barefoot at the time of an accident. This is true for all states.
Iowa is unique in its formal state policy, which states that barefoot driving is unsafe. This stance, which is shared with Indiana and a handful of other states, is more than a mere advisory opinion. It’s a government position that can be cited by insurers and defense attorneys in civil litigation. Iowa’s modified comparative fault system means a substantial determination of fault relating to barefoot driving can diminish or even eliminate your ability to recover damages.
The easiest thing to do is the smartest thing. Always have a pair of flat, closed-toe driving shoes in the car. In Iowa, where the state itself has weighed in on the safety issue, this is more important than it would be in a state that has not.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it illegal to drive barefoot in Iowa?
No. There is no law in the Iowa Code against barefoot driving. It is legal for all drivers of passenger vehicles.
2. Does the state of Iowa discourage barefoot driving?
Yes. Iowa is one of only seven states (Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and Wyoming) that has officially condemned barefoot driving as unsafe in its state code. This condemnation is not punishable by law, but is relevant in civil lawsuits and insurance claims.
3. Will I be ticketed for barefoot driving in Iowa?
No, just for driving barefoot. It’s not illegal to drive barefoot, so no citation can be issued for that reason alone. An officer can only issue a citation if the driver is also engaging in unsafe driving or if barefoot driving is deemed to have played a role in a crash.
4. What are the consequences of Iowa’s modified comparative fault rule for barefoot drivers?
Iowa follows a modified comparative fault rule, which means fault is shared. If barefoot driving is determined to have played a role in the accident and you are found to be 50 percent or more at fault, you will not be able to recover damages.
5. Will barefoot driving be used against me by an insurance company in Iowa?
Yes, potentially. It could be used to show a factor in liability or to offset or reject a claim, especially when control over the pedals or reaction times are at issue. Iowa’s official condemnation of the practice puts insurers in a better position than in states where it is not condemned.
6. Is it safer to drive barefoot than in flip-flops in Iowa?
In many cases, yes. Flip-flops may fall off or become entangled under pedals, which is more dangerous than bare feet in most instances. Closed-toe sneakers with a flat sole are still the best choice.
