Is it okay to practice driving in slippers?
4 Answers
It is not advisable to practice driving in slippers, as it not only makes learning to drive more difficult but also poses risks when braking, potentially causing foot injuries. Below is an introduction to obtaining a driver's license: 1. License classification: Chinese driver's licenses are divided into 15 categories: A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, C1, C2, C3, C4, D, E, F, M, N, and P. 2. Introduction to manual and automatic transmissions: When obtaining a driver's license, a C1 license is for manual transmission vehicles, while a C2 license is for automatic transmission vehicles. It is recommended to learn driving with a manual transmission vehicle, as this allows you to drive both manual and automatic transmission vehicles after obtaining the license.
From a driving instructor's perspective, practicing in slippers is a definite no-go. Last month, while teaching a student, I saw a young guy's slipper get caught under the clutch pedal—almost snapped the gear lever. The pedals in a training car are so close together; a wide-toed shoe could accidentally hit the gas, and soft soles don't give enough feedback. If you stomp too hard, your slipper might fly off and jam under the brake pedal—that could be deadly. Our driving school has a rule posted on the wall: all students must wear flat shoes that cover the heel. Honestly, an old pair of canvas shoes is the safest for practice—you can feel the pedal pressure clearly, and your feet won't slip when steering.
As an automotive safety researcher, driving in flip-flops is three times more dangerous than wearing regular shoes. Laboratory tests have shown: when a vehicle brakes suddenly at 40km/h, it takes 0.8 seconds for a foot wearing flip-flops to establish effective braking force, while sneakers require only 0.3 seconds. Even more alarming is the risk of slippage when turning the steering wheel. Flip-flops lack heel support, causing the contact area between the foot and pedal to potentially drop to just 30% during rapid steering, especially when making full turns in flip-flops, which can easily lead to slipping. It's recommended to keep a pair of breathable mesh sneakers in the car and switch to flip-flops only after getting in or out of the vehicle for safety.
A novice who just got their driver's license tells you that during the driving test (Subject 2), they were immediately kicked out of the car by the examiner for wearing sandals. While reversing into the parking space, their feet were sweaty, causing the sandals to slip on the clutch, making it impossible to control the semi-engagement. Later, switching to dad shoes was even worse—the thick soles made it hard to feel the clutch depth, leading to stalling three times during hill starts. Finally, they found that cloth shoes with thin rubber soles worked best, costing only thirty yuan, allowing them to feel the pedal vibrations when braking. Now, having passed the test, they understand—the driving instructor yelling at you to change shoes was actually for your own good.
