What Is a Correctable Violation?
- A driver must be aware of any problems with his vehicle, including burned out or broken headlights and taillights, cracked windshields and issues with emissions control devices. If a police officer stops him for such a violation, he may receive a "fix-it ticket." The ticket will have a court date on it, but if the driver makes the repair he can bring proof to court and pay a small fee. According to the Marin County and Fresno Superior Courts in California, for example, the common administrative fee is $25 and once paid, the ticket is dismissed.
- Vehicle modifications are also subject to "fix-it" tickets. These offenses vary by state, but each state has laws regarding ground clearance, window tinting and under-vehicle lights. If a driver receives a ticket for an improper vehicle modification, she must remove the illegal window tinting, lighting or body kit and show her vehicle to a police officer, court officer or DMV employee. The authorized person must sign the ticket, certifying that the illegal modification has been fixed. The driver can then submit the signed ticket to the court with the appropriate fee and the ticket will be dismissed.
- Correctable violation tickets also can be given if a driver is stopped without a license, registration or proof of insurance. If the driver does have the proper documents, but simply did not have them in his vehicle when he was stopped, he can bring all necessary proof to his court hearing and pay the administrative fee to have the ticket dismissed.