Is It Illegal To Drive Barefoot In Michigan?

The summer time means beach time and last week, while getting into my car to drive barefoot, some guy yelled at me that it was illegal. Let's see who's right!

Driving Barefoot Is A Rite Of Summer In Michigan

Ever since I learned how to drive some (muffled noise that rhymes with fifty) years ago, the ability to secure a vehicle and drive to the beach to hang out with friends was a rite of passage in Michigan. After all, most of the state lies within 85 miles of one of the four Great Lakes that lap upon our shores.

And after a day at the beach, who wants to put their shoes back on? No one.

So after being chastised by the guy this weekend, I decided to look it up and see who was right.

As It Turns Out, Driving Barefoot In Michigan Is Totally Legal

There are no laws or statutes in Michigan prohibiting driving while barefoot, although admittedly, there has been a rumor that it is illegal to do so in the state that has persisted for years, even going back to my youth, where I was constantly told to wear shoes when behind the wheel.

Former Sheriff Rich Martin writes an 'Ask The Sheriff' column for the Lake County Star, and he was asked the same question two years ago:

After leaving the beach the other day, I went to locate my shoes only to find that they were missing from where I left them. I needed to get home, so I decided to drive barefoot even though I know this is not legal.

 

FALSE. Whether you are barefoot, have no shoes, or are driving with flip-flops, there is no law on the books that prohibits this.

So I should have told the guy to shove it, but what good would that do? It's probably best that I didn't know and handled it peacefully.