What Is a Fix-It Ticket in California and How Does It Work?

What Is a Fix-It Ticket?

A fix-it ticket, formally known as a correctable violation, is a type of traffic citation issued in California when law enforcement identifies an equipment or registration issue with your vehicle that can be remedied. Unlike moving violations such as speeding or running a red light, correctable violations are not tied to dangerous driving behavior. Instead, they address problems like a broken tail light, expired registration tags, or a cracked windshield that impairs visibility.

The legal basis for correctable violations is found in California Vehicle Code sections 40610 and 40303.5. When an officer decides to take enforcement action for certain registration, driver's license, or equipment violations, the officer must give the driver a chance to correct the problem unless an exception in section 40610(b) applies, such as evidence of fraud or persistent neglect, an immediate safety hazard, or the driver cannot or will not promptly correct it. The driver can then fix the underlying problem and present proof of correction. If the citation is a notice to appear, the court must dismiss each corrected charge rather than impose the full fine for the violation (section 40522).

How Does the Fix-It Ticket Process Work?

When you receive a fix-it ticket, the officer will note the specific violation on the citation and mark it as correctable. Under Vehicle Code section 40522, the court must dismiss the corrected charge if you present proof of correction, by mail or in person, on or before the appearance date on your citation, so that date is your deadline. If the officer instead gave you a separate notice to correct under section 40610, that notice states the time allowed for correction, which cannot be more than 30 days. Always check the date on your specific ticket.

1. Fix the problem identified on the citation (replace the broken light, renew your registration, etc.). For a no-insurance charge, gather proof that you were insured on the date of the citation.
2. Have the correction verified by a law enforcement officer or other authorized person, who will sign off on the ticket. A no-insurance charge needs no sign-off: you show the court clerk your proof of insurance, in person or by mail.
3. Submit the signed-off ticket to the court listed on the citation, along with the $25 transaction fee for each corrected violation (Vehicle Code section 40611).
4. The court dismisses each corrected violation. Any other charges on the same citation still have to be resolved.

Who Can Sign Off on a Correctable Violation?

Under California Vehicle Code Section 40616, proof of correction is a certification from an authorized representative of one of the agencies listed in that section. Any correctable violation can be signed off by a police department, the California Highway Patrol, a sheriff, a marshal, or another law enforcement agency that regularly enforces the Vehicle Code. Brake, lamp, smog device, and muffler violations can also be certified by a state-licensed inspection station, and driver's license and registration violations can also be certified by the DMV or a court clerk. A no-insurance charge needs no sign-off: you show the court clerk, in person or by mail, proof that you were insured on the date of the citation (Vehicle Code section 16028(e)).

What Happens If You Ignore a Fix-It Ticket?

Ignoring a fix-it ticket can have serious consequences. If you fail to correct the violation and do not appear in court by the deadline, the court may impose the full fine for the underlying violation, which can be substantially higher than the $25 transaction fee. In addition, the court may add a civil assessment of up to $100 under Penal Code Section 1214.1 if you fail to appear in court or fail to pay. Unpaid amounts can also be referred to a county or court collection program (Penal Code section 1463.007).

If the fix-it ticket was written on a parked car as a parking citation, it is handled by the agency that processes parking citations rather than the court: the penalty drops to $10 if you give that agency proof of correction, and an unpaid penalty can block your vehicle registration renewal (Vehicle Code sections 40225 and 4760). A court case is different: in some cases, missing your court date can result in a bench warrant. What starts as a minor equipment issue can quickly escalate into a far more expensive and complicated legal problem if left unaddressed.

Fix-It Tickets and Your Driving Record

One of the most important things to know about correctable violations is that, when properly dismissed, they do not add points to your driving record with the DMV. Because a dismissed charge is not a conviction, it does not count toward a license suspension under the DMV negligent operator point system.

However, if you fail to correct the violation and the court enters a conviction for the original charge, the outcome depends on the nature of the underlying violation. Most equipment convictions are not reported to the DMV at all, though some are, including Vehicle Code section 24250 (required lights during darkness) (Vehicle Code section 1803(b)(4)). Registration and driver's license convictions are reported. Either way, the conviction, the fine and any late fees remain on your court record.

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Common Types of Fix-It Tickets in California

Fix-it tickets are issued for a wide range of vehicle-related issues. Common examples include the following.

• Broken or burned-out headlights, tail lights, or brake lights (CVC 24250, 24400, 24600, 24603)
• Expired vehicle registration tags (CVC 4000(a))
• Failure to show proof of auto insurance (CVC 16028(a)), which is dismissed if you prove you were insured on the citation date (CVC 16028(e))
• Cracked or damaged windshield obstructing the driver's view (CVC 26710)
• Excessive window tint that does not meet legal specifications (CVC 26708)
• Missing or illegible license plates (CVC 5200, 5201)
• Non-functioning horn (CVC 27000)
• Missing or broken side mirrors (CVC 26709)

Learn which California traffic tickets qualify as correctable violations. Which California Tickets Are Correctable? →