CVC 27600Eligible for written declarationCorrectable · Fix under CVC 40522

Fender and Mudflap Requirements

Driving a vehicle with three or more wheels, a trailer or a semitrailer without fenders, flaps or splash aprons that minimize spray and mud to the rear.

Reviewed by the TicketClear teamLast reviewed October 10, 2026

Fine: check your notice or your court's bail scheduleDMV 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 Fender and Mudflap Requirements ticket?

CVC 27600 says no person shall operate any motor vehicle having three or more wheels, any trailer, or semitrailer unless equipped with fenders, covers, or devices, including flaps or splash aprons, or unless the body of the vehicle or its attachments afford adequate protection to effectively minimize the spray or splash of water or mud to the rear of the vehicle, and all such equipment, body, or attachments shall be at least as wide as the tire tread. It does not apply to vehicles exempt from registration, trailers and semitrailers with an unladen weight under 1,500 pounds, or vehicles manufactured and first registered before January 1, 1971, with an unladen weight under 1,500 pounds.

Ask your insurer how a conviction affects your policy.

What the Law Says

No person shall operate any motor vehicle having three or more wheels, any trailer, or semitrailer unless equipped with fenders, covers, or devices, including flaps or splash aprons, or unless the body of the vehicle or attachments thereto afford adequate protection to effectively minimize the spray or splash of water or mud to the rear of the vehicle and all such equipment or such body or attachments thereto shall be at least as wide as the tire tread. This section does not apply to those vehicles exempt from registration, trailers and semitrailers having an unladen weight of under 1,500 pounds, or any vehicles manufactured and first registered prior to January 1, 1971, having an unladen weight of under 1,500 pounds.

What the Officer Must Prove

1You operated a motor vehicle with three or more wheels, a trailer, or a semitrailer
2It did not have fenders, covers, or devices (or a body or attachments) that effectively minimize the spray or splash of water or mud to the rear and are at least as wide as the tire tread
3No exemption in the section applied

Arguments Commonly Raised for Fender and Mudflap Requirements

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

The body gave adequate protection

CVC 27600 is met if the body of the vehicle or its attachments afford adequate protection to effectively minimize spray or splash to the rear. Describe your vehicle and include photos.

Exempt vehicle

The section does not apply to vehicles exempt from registration, trailers and semitrailers under 1,500 pounds unladen, or vehicles manufactured and first registered before January 1, 1971, under 1,500 pounds unladen.

Correction

If your notice is marked correctable, keep proof of the repair.

⚠️ Common Mistakes

✗Not photographing the fenders or flaps after any repair
✗Not keeping repair receipts

What this code section covers (general information)

CVC 27600 — Fender and Mudflap Requirements. Driving a vehicle with three or more wheels, a trailer or a semitrailer without fenders, flaps or splash aprons that minimize spray and mud to the rear.

This section is listed as a correctable (fix-it) violation. California has a general process for showing proof that the problem was corrected.

Eligible for Trial by Written Declaration: generally yes.

This is general information about CVC 27600. 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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