Defective Taillights
Operating a vehicle with taillights that are not visible from 500 feet to the rear.
No DMV points — correctable violation
This guide is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. TicketClear is a self-help document preparation service — we are not attorneys and do not represent clients. Review all prepared documents carefully before submitting. Fine amounts are estimates and vary by county and surcharge schedule.
What is a Defective Taillights ticket?
CVC 24252 requires all lighting equipment on a vehicle to be maintained in good working order. A "defective taillights" citation means one or more of your tail lamps was burned out, broken, or not functioning as required. This is a correctable fix-it ticket with no DMV points.
Equipment violations carry no DMV points and have low base fines (~$25). The real cost is the repair. Get the violation corrected, have the ticket signed off by law enforcement, and submit to the court with the $25 dismissal fee.
Zero DMV points — no insurance impact.
What the Law Says
Every vehicle which is not in combination with any other vehicle and every vehicle at the end of a combination of vehicles shall at all times be equipped with lighted taillamps mounted on the rear.
What the Officer Must Prove
- 1The vehicle's taillight(s) were not functioning as required by law
- 2The defect was present at the time of the stop
How Drivers Get This Ticket
Officer pulls over driver whose right taillight is completely burned out.
Fix-it ticket issued; driver replaces bulb, gets sign-off, pays $25 court fee — total cost ~$30–$50.
Driver has aftermarket LED taillights that don't illuminate consistently.
If the lamps fail to function reliably, the officer can cite 24252 regardless of the aftermarket installation.
Common Defenses for Defective Taillights
These are the defense arguments that appear most often in successful Trial by Written Declarations for this violation.
Lamp was working at time of stop
Intermittent electrical issues can cause lights to work during the stop but fail later. If the lamp was functioning when the officer approached, challenge their ability to verify it was out while driving.
Taillight met minimum visibility standard
If only one of multiple taillamps was partially dimmed but the vehicle still had functional taillights meeting visibility requirements, challenge whether the violation threshold was met.
How to Address This in Your Declaration
- ✓Mechanic's repair receipt showing the bulb was recently replaced
- ✓Photos showing the taillights functioning after repair
⚠️ What NOT to Do
- ✗Ignoring the ticket — it escalates to a misdemeanor if no court action is taken
- ✗Paying the full penalty without seeking a sign-off dismissal
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Frequently Asked Questions About Defective Taillights
How many taillights does California require?▼
California requires at least two taillamps, one on each side of the rear of the vehicle. Each must emit a red light visible from 1,000 feet under normal atmospheric conditions.
Can I get this ticket dismissed?▼
Yes. Fix the taillights, get the violation signed off by law enforcement, and submit the signed citation to the court with the $25 dismissal fee. The infraction is dismissed.
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This guide is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. TicketClear is a self-help document preparation service — we are not attorneys and do not represent clients. Review all prepared documents carefully before submitting. Fine amounts are estimates and vary by county and surcharge schedule.