Receiving a ticket can be frustrating, especially if you don’t know what it’s for. The reasons behind a speeding or distracted driving ticket can be relatively easy to guess, but what about trickier tickets? Today, we’ll be looking at the fix-it ticket, what it means, and what to do when you get one.
What Are Fix-It Tickets?
Fix-it tickets are the more casual term for correctable violations, which are citations for vehicle repair, insurance, or registration issues. In other words, it’s a ticket that tells you, “You need to fix it!” When you receive the ticket, you’ll be told what exactly needs to be fixed. Once you’ve addressed the issue, you can have a police officer sign the citation, submit proof of correction to the court, pay the related fee, and be on your merry way. Be sure to keep your ticket with you to minimize how much bail you need to pay.
Common Reasons for Receiving a Fix-It Ticket
There are a number of possible reasons local authorities might pull you over and give you a fix-it ticket. These are some common issues that can catch a cop’s attention and land you with a fix-it ticket:
- Excessively worn-down tires
- Inoperative headlights or taillights
- Faulty signals
- Missing, busted, or illegal exhaust parts
- Missing safety equipment
The reason these issues can lead to a correctable violation is that they can put you and the drivers around you at risk. Local authorities issue fix-it tickets for the sake of everyone on the road.
What To Do With a Fix-It Ticket
First, check the ticket’s left side for a yes/no box under the title “Correctable Violation.” If there’s a check on the yes box, that means you definitely have a fix-it ticket on your hands. Check the rest of the ticket for additional info about what you need to fix and if there are any other violations you need to address, like failing to stop or speeding.
Next, you’ll need to fix whatever caused the citation in the first place. Whether it’s worn tires or inoperative tail lights or headlights, be sure to fix the problem as soon as possible.
After the problematic part’s fixed, you’ll need to ask a police officer to sign off on your ticket. They’ll check to make sure you fixed the problem and sign the Certificate of Correction found on the back of your citation. You might be wondering, “Where can I get my fix-it ticket signed off?” Visit your local police station, courthouse, or sheriff office for this step. If you receive a fix-it ticket in California, you can also drop by a California Highway Police (CHP) office and ask them to sign your citation.
Once you have your signed citation, you can take it to the courthouse clerk’s office, where the clerk will take the citation and ask you to pay the administrative dismissal fee. Now, how much are fix-it tickets? Usually, the administrative dismissal fee will cost around $25. This is outside the repair costs you need to pay though. After paying the dismissal fee, your case will be dismissed, and you’ll be free to leave.
Fix-It Ticket Repercussions
Getting a fix-it ticket resolved is relatively straightforward. There are repercussions if you fail to do so properly. For instance, you shouldn’t forget about your fix-it ticket altogether, even if it might seem like a minor issue that doesn’t need fixing. Police officers will give you a deadline in the form of a court date on your ticket. If you fail to address the fix-it ticket issue by that time, you’ll have to face even more fines.
As nonmoving violations, fix-it tickets aren’t usually going to affect your insurance premium. However, if you get into an accident while you have an unresolved fix-it ticket, and the fix-it ticket issue caused or contributed to the collision, your insurer will likely blame you. This can lead to higher premiums on your auto insurance, not to mention another ticket for negligence.
As for whether or not fix-it tickets do go on your record, it will depend on if you can get the violation dismissed or dismissed as complied with law. Either way, don’t ignore or forget about a fix-it ticket. Have your vehicle repaired as soon as possible, so you can drive safely on the road.
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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.
