CVC 24600Eligible for written declarationCorrectable · Fix under CVC 40522

Defective or Missing Rear Lamps

Driving in darkness without the lighted red taillamps the section requires, mounted and visible as it specifies.

Reviewed by the TicketClear teamLast reviewed October 10, 2026

Fine: $193, or $25 if correctedDMV Points: None✓ Correctable

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 or Missing Rear Lamps ticket?

CVC 24600 says that during darkness every motor vehicle not in combination with another vehicle, and every vehicle at the end of a combination, shall be equipped with lighted taillamps mounted on the rear: (a) every vehicle with one or more taillamps; (b) every vehicle other than a motorcycle manufactured and first registered on or after January 1, 1958, with not less than two taillamps (with an exception for certain narrow trailers and semitrailers); (c) vehicles subject to Section 22406(a) with not less than two taillamps; (d) when two are required, one at the left and one at the right at the same level; (e) taillamps red and plainly visible from all distances within 500 feet to the rear, or within 1,000 feet for vehicles manufactured after January 1, 1969; and (f) on vehicles manufactured on or after January 1, 1969, mounted not lower than 15 inches nor higher than 72 inches, with an allowance for additional tow truck taillamps.

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What the Law Says

During darkness every motor vehicle which is not in combination with any other vehicle and every vehicle at the end of a combination of vehicles shall be equipped with lighted taillamps mounted on the rear as follows: (a) Every vehicle shall be equipped with one or more taillamps. (b) Every vehicle, other than a motorcycle, manufactured and first registered on or after January 1, 1958, shall be equipped with not less than two taillamps, except that trailers and semitrailers manufactured after July 23, 1973, which are less than 30 inches wide, may be equipped with one taillamp which shall be mounted at or near the vertical centerline of the vehicles. If a vehicle is equipped with two taillamps, they shall be mounted as specified in subdivision (d). (c) Every vehicle or vehicle at the end of a combination of vehicles, subject to subdivision (a) of Section 22406 shall be equipped with not less than two taillamps. (d) When two taillamps are required, at least one shall be mounted at the left and one at the right side respectively at the same level. (e) Taillamps shall be red in color and shall be plainly visible from all distances within 500 feet to the rear except that taillamps on vehicles manufactured after January 1, 1969, shall be plainly visible from all distances within 1,000 feet to the rear. (f) Taillamps on vehicles manufactured on or after January 1, 1969, shall be mounted not lower than 15 inches nor higher than 72 inches, except that a tow truck, in addition to being equipped with the required taillamps, may also be equipped with two taillamps which may be mounted not lower than 15 inches nor higher than the maximum allowable vehicle height and as far forward as the rearmost portion of the driver’s seat in the rearmost position. The additional taillamps on a tow truck shall be lighted whenever the headlamps are lighted.

What the Officer Must Prove

1You were operating the vehicle during darkness
2The vehicle was not equipped with lighted taillamps on the rear as CVC 24600(a) to (f) requires

Arguments Commonly Raised for Defective or Missing Rear Lamps

General information: arguments drivers commonly raise for this code section. Whether any applies depends on your own facts.

Lamps working

If your taillamps were lighted and met the section, describe them and include photos.

Not during darkness

CVC 24600 applies during darkness. Describe the time and light conditions.

Correction

If your notice is marked correctable and you present proof of correction, certified as Vehicle Code 40616 describes, by mail or in person on or before the date on your notice, the court shall dismiss the charge (Vehicle Code 40522). The clerk collects a $25 transaction fee unless the notice is processed only by the agency that issued it (Vehicle Code 40611).

⚠️ Common Mistakes

✗Not photographing the lamps working after any repair
✗Not keeping repair receipts

What this code section covers (general information)

CVC 24600 — Defective or Missing Rear Lamps. Driving in darkness without the lighted red taillamps the section requires, mounted and visible as it specifies.

This section is a correctable (fix-it) violation: if the officer marks your notice correctable, the court shall dismiss the charge when you present proof of correction on or before the date on your notice (Vehicle Code 40522). The officer does not mark it correctable on finding fraud or persistent neglect, an immediate safety hazard, or that you do not agree to, or cannot, promptly correct it (Vehicle Code 40610(b)).

Eligible for Trial by Written Declaration: generally yes.

This is general information about CVC 24600. It is not advice about your citation, and TicketClear does not evaluate anyone's facts. Whether any of it applies depends on your own facts. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed California attorney.

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How to Clear This Fix-It Ticket

CVC 24600 fix-it ticket: what to repair, who signs off and how to file the proof →