What is a Fix-it Ticket?
A fix-it ticket, or correctable violation, is issued to motorists for driving an automobile with a mechanical failure, unsafe features or a missing front license plate. In order to receive a ticket for mechanical failure, the automobile must deemed unsafe for the roadway. The reasons for receiving this type of traffic ticket vary, depending upon the city, state or country you reside in.
Some features that will cause a vehicle to be deemed unsafe for the roadway include, but aren't limited to, faulty or broken headlights, faulty or broken tail lights, faulty brake lights, non-working blinkers, cracked windshields and dark window tinting. Mechanical failures may include non-functioning horns, bald tires, and a faulty exhaust system. In many areas of the United States, you will receive a fix-it ticket if your vehicle doesn't have a license plate on the front, due to the use of red light violation cameras.
If you are issued a fix-it ticket from a police officer, "Yes" will be checked next to the box labeled "Correctable Violation." If this is fixed within the designated amount of time, you will not receive a fine or any marks on your driving record. If you fail to fix it, you must pay a large fine, and points are added to your driving record. You will likely receive another ticket for the same violation, which will be immediately added to your driving record.
It is very easy to fix a fix-it ticket. First, you must note the date for your court appearance, which is located on the bottom of the ticket. This is the date that the violation must be corrected by and the signed ticket received by the court.
Fix the violation that is stated on your fix-it ticket. It is best to do this immediately, as it may take days or weeks to get the violation corrected, especially if you are waiting for a license plate in the mail. After it is corrected, take your vehicle to the nearest sheriff or police station to get the violation signed off by an authorized officer.
Call the number to the courthouse listed on your ticket to determine the administrative fine you must send in with your signed ticket. Make a copy of the check or money order, as well as the ticket, for your records. In case your ticket is lost in the mail, it is best to have proof that you took care of the violation on time.
Mail the corrected violation to the court address listed on the ticket. If it is close to the due date, it is best to take it to the court house personally. The traffic court does not take into account when the envelope was postmarked.
Written by Nychole Price
