What are the seat belt laws in the state of Virginia ?

A: o    Seat belt laws vary from state to state. It is important to know the laws where you live and in states where you travel. Seat belt laws in Virginia are different from those in the surrounding states of Tennessee, Kentucky and others. It is wise to know the laws in Virginia to avoid a fine if stopped by a police officer.
Secondary Seat Belt Laws
o    Virginia has secondary seat belt laws according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. This means a police officer cannot give you a fine for not wearing a seat belt unless he pulls you over for another violation, such as speeding or a busted tail light. The law applies to the driver and any adult passenger in the front seat of the vehicle.
Child Safety Seat Requirements
o    A child riding in a car in Virginia must be in a safety seat that adheres to the standards set by the Department of Transportation. The child must ride in such a seat until his 8th birthday.
Rear-Facing Child Seats
o    Rear-facing child safety seats must be in the back seat of the vehicle, unless there is no back seat. In this case, the rear-facing child seat may be in the front seat only with the passenger airbag system turned off.
Primary Enforcement
The Virginia Department of Health website states a child cannot ride in the back seat of a vehicle without a safety restraint. This applies to anyone transporting a child. This is a primary seat belt regulation in Virginia, meaning the driver will face a fine even if there is no other reason for police to stop the car.


Lawrence K. Land, P.C.

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