VIRGINIA (WVVA) - Those in the commonwealth will soon have a new law to heed when it comes to motor vehicles. Beginning July 1 everyone who is a passenger in a motor vehicle will be required by , This article explains key aspects of Virginia’s seatbelt laws, including who must wear a seatbelt, how violations are enforced, potential fines, child restraint requirements, and circumstances where exemptions apply., The law requires every adult riding in a car on a public highway to wear a seat belt, even in the back seat. Current law only requires adults in the front seat to wear a seat belt., It was already Virginia law that passengers under 18 use seat belts in the front and back seats, but until now adults were only required to wear them in the front. “Research shows that children whose parents set a good example by using their seat belts are more likely to buckle up themselves,” said Corri Miller-Hobbs , RN, Safe Kids , Under the Virginia seat belt law, drivers and front-seat passengers age 18 and older must use seat belts in most passenger vehicles. That rule covers sedans, vans, and pickup trucks, whether you’re driving through Richmond, Hampton, or anywhere else in the state., Beginning July 1, adults ages 18 and older riding in the backseat must wear a seat belt. Previously, Virginia's seat belt law only required front-seat passengers.