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As of July 1, 2025, all adult drivers in Virginia are required to wear a seat belt in both the front and back seats of a vehicle. Previously, Virginia law only required that seat belts be worn by occupants over 18 located in the front of a vehicle. Now, all vehicle occupants over 18 are required to buckle-up, regardless of the seat they occupy. The new legislation is as follows:
“Any driver, and any other person at least 18 years of age and occupying a seat, of a motor vehicle equipped or required by the provisions of this title to be equipped with a safety belt system, consisting of lap belts, shoulder harnesses, combinations thereof or similar devices, shall wear the appropriate safety belt system at all times while the motor vehicle is in motion on any public highway” (§ 46.2-1094(A), emphasis added).
This new legislation, known as the “Christopher King Seat Belt Law” was signed into law in memory of Christopher King, a young man who was not wearing his seat belt and lost his life after being ejected from the back seat of a convertible during a crash in 2020.
According to language of § 46.2-1094, the same penalties that applied to breaking the original code section will continue to apply to the amended code section. A violation of § 46.2-1094(A) will result in a civil penalty and a fine of $25.00. This violation does not carry any demerit points with the DMV.
Enforcement of the new code section will remain a secondary offense, which means that law enforcement officers are not allowed to stop a vehicle for an occupant’s failure to wear a seat belt if this is the driver or occupant’s only offense. Evidence obtained in violation of this code section is not admissible in a trial. Section F details this as follows:
“F. No law-enforcement officer shall stop a motor vehicle for a violation of this section. No evidence discovered or obtained as the result of a stop in violation of this subsection, including evidence discovered or obtained with the operator’s consent, shall be admissible in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding.”
Read more about changes to Virginia’s Traffic Laws effective July 1, 2025.
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