You’re in a hurry to leave and you skip checking your car’s headlights because they were working last time. Perhaps both headlights were running perfectly fine when you backed out of the garage, but one decided to go dark later. Or maybe you knew there was a problem but couldn’t replace it at the moment for reasons ranging from a tight budget to a lack of compatible parts available. It happens to the best of us.
No matter the reason, driving with one headlight out isn’t allowed in any of the 50 states. If you get pulled over by a police officer, you’re going to get a ticket.
Avoid driving with only one headlight on because this reduces the distance over which you can see down the road, and it also makes it harder for other drivers to notice your car (they might also mistake you for a motorcycle).
Fix-It Tickets
Not every ticket automatically results in you going to court. Some states are more lenient toward traffic violations that involve specific failures like bad headlights. If you are caught driving with one headlight out, it’s considered a correctable violation rather than an outright felony.
In those states, the officer will issue you a fix-it ticket with the court and the date for your appearance. That date is your deadline for fixing the problem that caused the correctable violation. You will usually have more than enough time to replace the faulty part.
The officer will also impose a small fine on you. The fine varies from state to state, but it usually starts at $10.
Once you’ve repaired the problem, bring your car, driver’s license, and fix-it ticket to the local police or sheriff department. They will check your car and sign the ticket if you have corrected the issue.
Contact the court and ask them about the administrative fee. Your fix-it ticket will have the number required. When you have the fee, make a copy of the ticket. If you plan to pay with a check or money order, make a copy of those, too. Then either send the ticket and payment via mail or personally bring it to the court.
It’s a good idea to check your state’s laws on driving with one headlight. Some states that issue fix-it tickets for this correctable violation include California, Delaware, and Louisiana, among others.
Some states are more lenient towards broken headlights wherein the officer will issue you a fix-it ticket with the court and the date for your appearance.
Why Is Driving With One Headlight Not Recommended?
While several states will cut you some slack over a busted headlight, it doesn’t mean you should wait until the last minute to fix the problem. There are several reasons why it’s not a good idea to keep driving with one headlight out.
First, it reduces the distance over which you can see down the road. Your car’s headlights work together to illuminate the maximum amount of space in front of it. If one of the headlights stop working, it will leave a significant swathe of road in the dark.
Second, driving with one headlight makes it harder for other drivers to notice your car. One headlight puts out less illumination than a pair of lights.
Last but not least, other drivers might mistake your car for a motorcycle, most of which only have one headlight. They also take up much less space on the road. If another driver thinks your car is a motorcycle, he’ll maneuver to avoid what he believes is a much smaller vehicle. By the time he notices the real size of your car, there’s a high chance of a collision or accident.
How to Get A Replacement Headlight
Because it’s illegal to drive with only one functional headlight, don’t put off replacing your faulty light. Whether you want a single replacement or have plans to replace both headlights to ensure they have the same color and brightness, we have you covered here at CarParts.com.
We source our headlights from top manufacturers to ensure they perform just as well as your stock lights. They passed stringent quality control standards, so you won’t have to worry about your new headlights malfunctioning or growing dim on you any time soon.
On top of that, our warehouses are strategically located all over the US, meaning you can expect to receive your new headlights in a matter of days. Don’t worry about breaking the bank. Our headlights are available at competitive prices to give car owners options that fit every budget.
To get started, fill out our vehicle selector to view compatible headlights. Then, use the search filters to check out the ones with your preferred brand, price, color, type, quantity, and more. Check out our catalog and shop for new headlights today!
Lisa Conant grew up in Canada around a solid contingency of gear heads and DIY motor enthusiasts. She is an eclectic writer with a varied repertoire in the automotive industry, including research pieces with a focus on daily drivers and recreational vehicles. Lisa has written for Car Bibles and The Drive.
The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. Guided by CarParts.com's thorough editorial process, our team strives to produce guides and resources DIYers and casual car owners can trust.
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
