With another summer heatwave sending drivers reaching for flip-flops and sandals, it’s worth clearing up a common misconception: driving in them isn’t actually illegal in the UK — but it can still land you in serious trouble.
There’s no specific law banning flip-flops, sandals, or even bare feet behind the wheel. What matters instead is Rule 97 of the Highway Code, which requires that clothing and footwear don’t prevent a driver from using the vehicle’s controls correctly. If loose or unsuitable footwear ends up contributing to a crash — for example, a flip-flop slipping off and getting caught under a pedal — a driver can still be prosecuted for offences like driving without due care and attention, careless driving, or in more serious cases, dangerous driving.
The penalties are far from trivial. An on-the-spot fine for driving without due care and attention starts at £100 with three penalty points, but if a case goes to court, that can rise to a fine of up to £5,000, nine penalty points, and potentially a driving ban. The RAC advises against flip-flops, sandals and high heels altogether, recommending shoes with a thin, grippy sole no thicker than around 10mm and proper ankle support.
For professional drivers spending long shifts behind the wheel in hot weather, it’s a timely reminder to keep a proper pair of driving shoes in the car, even if trainers get swapped for sandals the moment the engine’s off.
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