Can You Drive in Crocs?

Crocs are one of those pieces of footwear that divide opinion. Some people think they are garish, ugly, and just odd-looking shoes to consider wearing. Others love the comfort they provide, the vibrant colours they are available in and how lightweight they are.

So, when you get behind the wheel, can you do it in Crocs? You may be surprised to learn that yes; you can drive in Crocs. There is currently no driving law in the UK, and in fact, in many places throughout the world where driving with Crocs on is illegal.

Is driving in Crocs illegal?

The current rules in the UK do not state that driving in Crocs is illegal, instead, it states that drivers must wear suitable shoes when behind the wheel. This means that almost any shoe type is seen as sufficient, however, should an accident occur, and you are deemed to be wearing footwear that may have contributed to the accident then you could find yourself being prosecuted. In fact, any shoe could be better than no shoe at all. The Driving Standards Agency states that “suitable shoes are particularly important behind the wheel. We would not recommend driving barefoot because you don’t have the same braking force with bare feet as you do with shoes on.”

Furthermore, some basic guidelines you should follow also indicate that a shoe should have a sole no thicker than 10mm but should not be too soft or thin. It should also provide enough grip to stop your foot from slipping from the pedal. At the same time, the shoe should not be too heavy either, limit ankle movement or be narrow enough to accidentally press two pedals at the same time.

If the Crocs you wear were to exhibit any of these attributes and an accident took place, then you could find yourself open to prosecution and banned from driving.

Can Crocs be worn on a driving test?

A driving test can be a stressful time so comfort is something you will no doubt be factoring in when it comes to clothing and footwear. Crocs allow for the comfort you desire as well as provide the grip that gives a firm control of the pedals. As a non-restrictive shoe, they provide a great option for driving test footwear, however, if you do not feel confident in wearing them for your test, go with something that provides suitable grip, control and comfort.

Can you wear crocs on a motorbike?

In most cases, people riding a motorbike will have the correct biker boots to wear that provide riders with a rugged level of safety. That being said with Crocs not classed as open-toe footwear, you could wear them when riding a motorbike. In our opinion, we wouldn’t recommend it. Should you be involved in an accident, they offer nowhere near as much protection as boots.

Is driving barefoot illegal?

With Crocs being made of the material they are, they can let in a lot of water should you be caught out in the rain or have decided for a paddle in the sea. This can often lead drivers to think a barefoot drive might be better than one with a wet slippery shoe.

Often, people speak of barefoot driving as being illegal. You may be surprised to learn it isn’t it is not illegal to drive barefoot, drive in high heels or even drive in flip flops. This may come as a surprise to many and at times, a barefoot option could be seen as a safer option. However, we would suggest erring on the side of caution. As the earlier advice from the DSA stated, an application of the brakes may be less controlled with bare feet and that could lead to accidents.  Lack of footwear could also lead to a more severe injury should there be an accident.

No matter what you wear on your feet, should an accident occur and it has been determined that you may have caused it. A quick look at your footwear may see the police issue a fixed penalty notice. This could be as much as £100 and should a court case be necessary, the fine could rise to £5000 and either points or a ban. Should the accident be severe enough, you could also face time in prison.

What are the best shoes for driving?

Whilst Crocs provide comfort and could be seen by some as a perfect driving shoe their thick sole may give a false feel for the pressure being applied to the pedals. With that in mind, flat shoes that will not slip off tend to be the best option. Plimsoles, for example, provide good flexibility, have a great grip and have a sole thick enough to give you a good feel for the pedal as well as some protection. Many people will wear trainers, and these can be fine as long as laced up correctly and the soles have not worn too much.

What are the worst shoes for driving?

Whilst flip flops and high heels are not illegal to drive in, they do not provide you with the best driving experience. Flip flops can slip off easily and then get stuck on or under a pedal resulting in difficulty in controlling your vehicle. They can also see the pedal get caught between your sole and the shoe leading to a further opportunity for an accident to develop.

High heels can severely impact a driver’s ability. The heel of the foot doesn’t rest on the floor which then means a delayed reaction time in applying the correct pedal. They can also get caught in the mat in the footwell or any interior furnishings.

If you are planning on kitting yourself out in Crocs when you are in your hire car, for added peace of mind, consider a car hire excess insurance policy. This way you are protected from costly excess fees often associated with car hire. With European excess car hire insurance policies as worldwide car insurance plans available contact us today. With prices from as low as £0.12 / €0.14 / $0.16  per day, we can keep you covered.