{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-1094.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-1094.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-1094.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-1094.html"}],"law_id":76516,"edition_id":1,"section_id":76516,"structure_id":14898,"section_number":"46.2-1094","catch_line":"Occupants of front seats of motor vehicles required to use safety lap belts and shoulder harnesses; penalty","history":"1987, c. 538, \u00a7 46.1-309.2; 1988, cc. 326, 344; 1989, c. 727; 1993, c. 591; 1997, c. 793; 2007, c. 813; 2010, c. 661; 2020, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 45, 51; 2025, c. 414.","full_text":"A\n\nAny 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. A passenger under the age of 18 years, however, shall be protected as required by the provisions of Article 13 (§ 46.2-1095 et seq.) of this chapter.B\n\nThis section shall not apply to:1\n\nAny person for whom a licensed physician determines that the use of such safety belt system would be impractical by reason of such person’s physical condition or other medical reason, provided the person so exempted carries on his person or in the vehicle a signed written statement of the physician identifying the exempted person and stating the grounds for the exemption; or2\n\nAny law-enforcement officer transporting persons in custody or traveling in circumstances which render the wearing of such safety belt system impractical; or3\n\nAny person while driving a motor vehicle and performing the duties of a rural mail carrier for the United States Postal Service; or4\n\nAny person driving a motor vehicle and performing the duties of a rural newspaper route carrier, newspaper bundle hauler or newspaper rack carrier; or5\n\nDrivers of and passengers in taxicabs; or6\n\nPersonnel of commercial or municipal vehicles while actually engaged in the collection or delivery of goods or services, including but not limited to solid waste, where such collection or delivery requires the personnel to exit and enter the cab of the vehicle with such frequency and regularity so as to render the use of safety belt systems impractical and the safety benefits derived therefrom insignificant. Such personnel shall resume the use of safety belt systems when actual collection or delivery has ceased or when the vehicle is in transit to or from a point of final disposition or disposal, including but not limited to solid waste facilities, terminals, or other location where the vehicle may be principally garaged; or7\n\nAny person driving a motor vehicle and performing the duties of a utility meter reader; or8\n\nLaw-enforcement agency personnel driving motor vehicles to enforce laws governing motor vehicle parking.C\n\nAny person who violates this section shall be subject to a civil penalty of twenty-five dollars to be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Literary Fund. No assignment of demerit points shall be made under Article 19 of Chapter 3 (§ 46.2-489 et seq.) of this title and no court costs shall be assessed for violations of this section.D\n\nA violation of this section shall not constitute negligence, be considered in mitigation of damages of whatever nature, be admissible in evidence or be the subject of comment by counsel in any action for the recovery of damages arising out of the operation, ownership, or maintenance of a motor vehicle, nor shall anything in this section change any existing law, rule, or procedure pertaining to any such civil action.E\n\nA violation of this section may be charged on the uniform traffic summons form.F\n\nNo 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.G\n\nThe governing body of the City of Lynchburg may adopt an ordinance not inconsistent with the provisions of this section, requiring the use of safety belt systems. The penalty for violating any such ordinance shall not exceed a fine or civil penalty of twenty-five dollars.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":274682,"text":"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. A passenger under the age of 18 years, however, shall be protected as required by the provisions of Article 13 (§ 46.2-1095 et seq.) of this chapter.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":274683,"text":"This section shall not apply to:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":274684,"text":"Any person for whom a licensed physician determines that the use of such safety belt system would be impractical by reason of such person’s physical condition or other medical reason, provided the person so exempted carries on his person or in the vehicle a signed written statement of the physician identifying the exempted person and stating the grounds for the exemption; or","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":274685,"text":"Any law-enforcement officer transporting persons in custody or traveling in circumstances which render the wearing of such safety belt system impractical; or","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"4":{"id":274686,"text":"Any person while driving a motor vehicle and performing the duties of a rural mail carrier for the United States Postal Service; or","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"B4"},"5":{"id":274687,"text":"Any person driving a motor vehicle and performing the duties of a rural newspaper route carrier, newspaper bundle hauler or newspaper rack carrier; or","type":"section","prefixes":["B","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"B4","prefix_anchor":"B4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B3","next_prefix":"B5"},"6":{"id":274688,"text":"Drivers of and passengers in taxicabs; or","type":"section","prefixes":["B","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"B5","prefix_anchor":"B5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B4","next_prefix":"B6"},"7":{"id":274689,"text":"Personnel of commercial or municipal vehicles while actually engaged in the collection or delivery of goods or services, including but not limited to solid waste, where such collection or delivery requires the personnel to exit and enter the cab of the vehicle with such frequency and regularity so as to render the use of safety belt systems impractical and the safety benefits derived therefrom insignificant. Such personnel shall resume the use of safety belt systems when actual collection or delivery has ceased or when the vehicle is in transit to or from a point of final disposition or disposal, including but not limited to solid waste facilities, terminals, or other location where the vehicle may be principally garaged; or","type":"section","prefixes":["B","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"B6","prefix_anchor":"B6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B5","next_prefix":"B7"},"8":{"id":274690,"text":"Any person driving a motor vehicle and performing the duties of a utility meter reader; or","type":"section","prefixes":["B","7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"B7","prefix_anchor":"B7","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B6","next_prefix":"B8"},"9":{"id":274691,"text":"Law-enforcement agency personnel driving motor vehicles to enforce laws governing motor vehicle parking.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"B8","prefix_anchor":"B8","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B7","next_prefix":"C"},"10":{"id":274692,"text":"Any person who violates this section shall be subject to a civil penalty of twenty-five dollars to be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Literary Fund. No assignment of demerit points shall be made under Article 19 of Chapter 3 (§ 46.2-489 et seq.) of this title and no court costs shall be assessed for violations of this section.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B8","next_prefix":"D"},"11":{"id":274693,"text":"A violation of this section shall not constitute negligence, be considered in mitigation of damages of whatever nature, be admissible in evidence or be the subject of comment by counsel in any action for the recovery of damages arising out of the operation, ownership, or maintenance of a motor vehicle, nor shall anything in this section change any existing law, rule, or procedure pertaining to any such civil action.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"12":{"id":274694,"text":"A violation of this section may be charged on the uniform traffic summons form.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"13":{"id":274695,"text":"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.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"G"},"14":{"id":274696,"text":"The governing body of the City of Lynchburg may adopt an ordinance not inconsistent with the provisions of this section, requiring the use of safety belt systems. The penalty for violating any such ordinance shall not exceed a fine or civil penalty of twenty-five dollars.","type":"section","prefixes":["G"],"prefix":"G","entire_prefix":"G","prefix_anchor":"G","level":1,"prior_prefix":"F"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14898,"edition_id":1,"name":"Safety Belts","identifier":"12","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12828,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:50:38","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:50:38","permalink":{"id":228759,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14898,"identifier":"12","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/12","url":"\/46.2\/III\/10\/12\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12828,"edition_id":1,"name":"Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety","identifier":"10","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12827,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","permalink":{"id":228599,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12828,"identifier":"10","token":"46.2\/III\/10","url":"\/46.2\/III\/10\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12827,"edition_id":1,"name":"Operation","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12770,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","permalink":{"id":228597,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12827,"identifier":"III","token":"46.2\/III","url":"\/46.2\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12770,"edition_id":1,"name":"Motor Vehicles","identifier":"46.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":225289,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12770,"identifier":"46.2","token":"46.2","url":"\/46.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":56874,"structure_id":14898,"section_number":"46.2-1091","catch_line":"Safety belts to be worn by certain bus drivers","url":"\/46.2-1091\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/12\/46.2-1091","metadata":false},{"id":72258,"structure_id":14898,"section_number":"46.2-1092","catch_line":"Safety lap belts or a combination of lap belts and shoulder harnesses to be installed in certain motor vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1092\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/12\/46.2-1092","metadata":false},{"id":77960,"structure_id":14898,"section_number":"46.2-1093","catch_line":"Requirements for safety lap belts, shoulder harnesses and combinations thereof","url":"\/46.2-1093\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/12\/46.2-1093","metadata":false},{"id":76516,"structure_id":14898,"section_number":"46.2-1094","catch_line":"Occupants of front seats of motor vehicles required to use safety lap belts and shoulder harnesses; penalty","url":"\/46.2-1094\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/12\/46.2-1094","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":77960,"structure_id":14898,"section_number":"46.2-1093","catch_line":"Requirements for safety lap belts, shoulder harnesses and combinations thereof","url":"\/46.2-1093\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/12\/46.2-1093","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-1094\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1987. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 538 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1987 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 7 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1988, chapters 326 and 344; in 1989, chapter 727; in 1993, chapter 591; in 1997, chapter 793<\/a>; in 2007, chapter 813<\/a>; in 2010, chapter 661<\/a>; in 2025, chapter 414<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":86011,"section_number":"46.2-1095","catch_line":"Child restraint devices required when transporting certain children; safety belts for passengers less than 18 years old required","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1095\/"},{"id":62223,"section_number":"46.2-489","catch_line":"Regulations; appeals","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-489\/"}],"permalink":{"id":228773,"object_type":"law","relational_id":76516,"identifier":"46.2-1094","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/12\/46.2-1094","url":"\/46.2-1094\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-1094\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/12\/46.2-1094","dublin_core":{"Title":"Occupants of front seats of motor vehicles required to use safety lap belts and shoulder harnesses; penalty","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-1094","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Any driver<\/span>, and any other person at least 18 years of age and occupying a seat, of a motor vehicle<\/span> equipped or required by the provisions of this title to be equipped with a safety belt system, consisting of lap belts, shoulder<\/span> harnesses, combinations thereof or similar devices, shall wear the appropriate safety belt system at all times while the motor vehicle<\/span> is in motion<\/span> on any public highway<\/span>. A passenger under the age of 18 years, however, shall be protected as required by the provisions of Article 13 (§ 46.2-1095<\/a> et seq.) of this chapter. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> This section shall not apply to: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Any person for whom a licensed physician determines that the use of such safety belt system would be impractical by reason of such person’s physical condition or other medical reason, provided the person so exempted carries on his person or in the vehicle a signed written statement of the physician identifying the exempted person and stating the grounds for the exemption; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Any law<\/span>-enforcement officer<\/span> transporting persons in custody<\/span> or traveling in circumstances which render the wearing of such safety belt system impractical; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Any person while driving a motor vehicle<\/span> and performing the duties of a rural mail carrier for the United States Postal Service; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Any person driving a motor vehicle<\/span> and performing the duties of a rural newspaper route carrier, newspaper bundle hauler or newspaper rack carrier; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Drivers<\/span> of and passengers in taxicabs; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Personnel of commercial or municipal vehicles<\/span> while actually engaged in the collection or delivery of goods or services, including but not limited to solid waste, where such collection or delivery requires the personnel to exit and enter the cab of the vehicle with such frequency and regularity so as to render the use of safety belt systems impractical and the safety benefits derived therefrom insignificant. Such personnel shall resume the use of safety belt systems when actual collection or delivery has ceased or when the vehicle is in transit to or from a point of final disposition<\/span> or disposal, including but not limited to solid waste facilities, terminals, or other location where the vehicle may be principally garaged; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> Any person driving a motor vehicle<\/span> and performing the duties of a utility meter reader; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> Law<\/span>-enforcement agency personnel driving motor vehicles<\/span> to enforce laws<\/span> governing motor vehicle<\/span> parking. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Any person who violates this section shall be subject to a civil penalty<\/span> of twenty-five dollars to be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Literary Fund. No assignment of demerit points shall be made under Article 19 of Chapter 3 (§ 46.2-489<\/a> et seq.) of this title and no court<\/span> costs shall be assessed for violations of this section. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> A violation of this section shall not constitute negligence<\/span>, be considered in mitigation of damages<\/span> of whatever nature, be admissible<\/span> in evidence<\/span> or be the subject of comment by counsel<\/span> in any action for the recovery of damages<\/span> arising out of the operation, ownership, or maintenance of a motor vehicle<\/span>, nor shall anything in this section change any existing law<\/span>, rule, or procedure pertaining to any such civil action<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> A violation of this section may be charged on the uniform traffic summons<\/span> form. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> No law<\/span>-enforcement officer<\/span> shall stop a motor vehicle<\/span> for a violation of this section. No evidence<\/span> discovered or obtained as the result of a stop in violation of this subsection, including evidence<\/span> discovered or obtained with the operator<\/span>’s consent, shall be admissible<\/span> in any trial<\/span>, hearing<\/span>, or other proceeding. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

G.<\/span> The governing body<\/span> of the City of Lynchburg may adopt an ordinance<\/span> not inconsistent with the provisions of this section, requiring the use of safety belt systems. The penalty<\/span> for violating any such ordinance<\/span> shall not exceed a fine or civil penalty<\/span> of twenty-five dollars. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nOCCUPANTS OF FRONT SEATS OF MOTOR VEHICLES REQUIRED TO USE SAFETY LAP BELTS AND\nSHOULDER HARNESSES; PENALTY (\u00a7 46.2-1094)\n\nA. Any driver, and any other person at least 18 years of age and occupying a\nseat, of a motor vehicle equipped or required by the provisions of this title to\nbe equipped with a safety belt system, consisting of lap belts, shoulder\nharnesses, combinations thereof or similar devices, shall wear the appropriate\nsafety belt system at all times while the motor vehicle is in motion on any\npublic highway. A passenger under the age of 18 years, however, shall be\nprotected as required by the provisions of Article 13 (§ 46.2-1095 et seq.)\nof this chapter.\n\nB. This section shall not apply to:\n\n 1. Any person for whom a licensed physician determines that the use of such\n safety belt system would be impractical by reason of such person’s\n physical condition or other medical reason, provided the person so exempted\n carries on his person or in the vehicle a signed written statement of the\n physician identifying the exempted person and stating the grounds for the\n exemption; or\n\n 2. Any law-enforcement officer transporting persons in custody or traveling in\n circumstances which render the wearing of such safety belt system impractical;\n or\n\n 3. Any person while driving a motor vehicle and performing the duties of a\n rural mail carrier for the United States Postal Service; or\n\n 4. Any person driving a motor vehicle and performing the duties of a rural\n newspaper route carrier, newspaper bundle hauler or newspaper rack carrier; or\n\n 5. Drivers of and passengers in taxicabs; or\n\n 6. Personnel of commercial or municipal vehicles while actually engaged in the\n collection or delivery of goods or services, including but not limited to\n solid waste, where such collection or delivery requires the personnel to exit\n and enter the cab of the vehicle with such frequency and regularity so as to\n render the use of safety belt systems impractical and the safety benefits\n derived therefrom insignificant. Such personnel shall resume the use of safety\n belt systems when actual collection or delivery has ceased or when the vehicle\n is in transit to or from a point of final disposition or disposal, including\n but not limited to solid waste facilities, terminals, or other location where\n the vehicle may be principally garaged; or\n\n 7. Any person driving a motor vehicle and performing the duties of a utility\n meter reader; or\n\n 8. Law-enforcement agency personnel driving motor vehicles to enforce laws\n governing motor vehicle parking.\n\nC. Any person who violates this section shall be subject to a civil penalty of\ntwenty-five dollars to be paid into the state treasury and credited to the\nLiterary Fund. No assignment of demerit points shall be made under Article 19 of\nChapter 3 (§ 46.2-489 et seq.) of this title and no court costs shall be\nassessed for violations of this section.\n\nD. A violation of this section shall not constitute negligence, be considered in\nmitigation of damages of whatever nature, be admissible in evidence or be the\nsubject of comment by counsel in any action for the recovery of damages arising\nout of the operation, ownership, or maintenance of a motor vehicle, nor shall\nanything in this section change any existing law, rule, or procedure pertaining\nto any such civil action.\n\nE. A violation of this section may be charged on the uniform traffic summons\nform.\n\nF. No law-enforcement officer shall stop a motor vehicle for a violation of this\nsection. No evidence discovered or obtained as the result of a stop in violation\nof this subsection, including evidence discovered or obtained with the\noperator’s consent, shall be admissible in any trial, hearing, or other\nproceeding.\n\nG. The governing body of the City of Lynchburg may adopt an ordinance not\ninconsistent with the provisions of this section, requiring the use of safety\nbelt systems. The penalty for violating any such ordinance shall not exceed a\nfine or civil penalty of twenty-five dollars.\n\nHISTORY: 1987, c. 538, \u00a7 46.1-309.2; 1988, cc. 326, 344; 1989, c. 727; 1993, c.\n591; 1997, c. 793; 2007, c. 813; 2010, c. 661; 2020, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 45, 51;\n2025, c. 414.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}