Is it illegal to drive in pyjamas?

Driving in pyjamas is something most of us have done at some point as a driver. Whether you're picking up a friend late at night or heading out for a cheeky McDonald's, sometimes it's just easier to jump in the car in your pj's. However, we've had some drivers wondering is it illegal to drive in pyjamas? We've got all the facts to answer this question and put your mind at ease.

Can you drive in pyjamas?

To put it simply, yes you can drive in pyjamas. There are no laws that specifically rule against driving in pyjamas, and by doing so, you would not be breaking any laws as long as your pyjamas do not prevent you from being able to drive safely.

Under rule 97 of the Highway Code, drivers must wear appropriate clothing and footwear that doesn't prevent them from using the controls correctly. Therefore, if driving in slippers and a fluffy dressing gown is going to restrict your movement or affect your driving, you could be breaking the law.

Rule 97 of the highway code

Rule 97 of the highway code outlines out what drivers must do before setting off on a journey. It states:

"Before setting off, you should ensure that clothing and footwear do not prevent you from using controls in the correct manner."

Visit the Government website for more of the Highway Code.

£5,000 fine for driving in pyjamas

So we've established it's not actually illegal to drive in pyjamas. However, you could still be fined up to £5,000 if your driving is considered unsafe due to your clothing. If you're pulled over for driving without due care and attention, you could receive a £100 on the spot fine and in more serious cases a maximum fine of £5,000.

While you may not think that driving in your pyjamas would cause you to drive unsafely, it could cause you to feel tired at the wheel or not be able to use the pedals correctly if you're wearing slippers. If you are someone who drives in pyjamas regularly and you know that it doesn't affect your driving at all, then you don't need to worry about breaking any laws and can continue happily taking road trips in your pyjamas.

What should I wear when driving?

If you're not comfortable with the idea of driving in your pyjamas and are worried it may inhibit you from driving safely, you might be wondering what you should wear when driving. If you're a more experienced driver, you're probably already familiar with what is comfortable for you when driving. But if you're a fairly new driver, you're probably still getting to grips with the best clothing and footwear to wear when behind the wheel.

Here are some ideas for what to wear when driving:

• Loose-fitting trousers/jeans, joggers or leggings that don't restrict your movement at all when reaching for the pedals
• Comfortable T-shirt, shirt/blouse or jumper/hoodie that doesn't restrict your movement when using the controls of the car
• Sensible shoes such as plimsoles, trainers of flat-heeled boots, we would advise against wearing heels or flip flops/sliders when driving as you may not be able to control the pedals properly.

What should I wear to my driving test?

If you're currently learning to drive, you might be wondering what's best to wear to your driving test. The recommendations listed above would also apply to what to wear to your driving test. We highly recommend wearing a similar style of clothing and footwear as you've been wearing during your driving lessons with DRIVE 321.

This is particularly important when it comes to footwear, if you've been wearing a certain style of shoes for your lessons, you should wear the same shoes for your test! You will have gotten used to the feel of the pedals in these shoes and controlling the clutch/finding the biting point, and if you wear different shoes for your test, you might not be able to control the pedals properly.

Mariam Bi who teaches driving lessons in Luton said: "I always tell my pupils to choose their most comfortable and practical shoes to wear to every lesson and for their test. Some of the most popular types of footwear I see my pupils wearing are plimsole style shoes like Converse and vans as well as trainers and flat boots."

Here are some examples of what to wear for your driving test:

Comfort (and safety) is key

So, although driving in pyjamas is not illegal in the UK, we strongly advise learners and drivers always to drive wearing clothing they feel comfortable in and that allows them to drive safely. If you've just passed your driving test and are still getting used to life behind the wheel, we would say to steer clear from driving in your pyjamas until you're at least a little bit more experienced.