With summer in full swing, many drivers swap shoes for flip-flops or sandals before getting behind the wheel, especially after a trip to the beach. But is it actually illegal in Portugal to drive in them?
The short answer is no.
Portugal’s Highway Code (Código da Estrada) contains no specific prohibition on driving in flip-flops, sandals or even barefoot. The National Republican Guard (GNR) has addressed the issue many times over the years, confirming that “driving in flip-flops is not, in itself, an offence under the Highway Code”.
That means motorists cannot be fined simply because of what they are wearing on their feet.
When could you be fined?
Although the footwear itself is not illegal, the way it affects your driving could be.
Article 11(2) of the Highway Code requires drivers to refrain from any behaviour that could compromise the safe operation of a vehicle.
Flip-flops, for example, can slip off, become trapped beneath the pedals or make it more difficult to move quickly between the accelerator and the brake. If a police officer believes this has affected a driver’s ability to control the vehicle safely, a fine of between €60 and €300 may be imposed.
In other words, the issue is not whether you are wearing flip-flops, but whether they interfere with your ability to drive safely.
The GNR has repeated this advice as part of its summer road safety campaigns, stressing that drivers should ensure their footwear “does not impair the safe operation of the vehicle”.
Ultimately, while driving in flip-flops is not prohibited in Portugal, motorists remain responsible for ensuring that their footwear does not compromise safety or their control of the vehicle.
Source: Sol