All states have traffic laws that require motor vehicles on public highways, streets, roads, and driveways to have certain mechanical equipment installed and functioning properly. For example, a motor vehicle is required to have working headlights, taillights, rearview mirrors, and turn signals/blinkers.

A broken or missing piece of equipment on a vehicle (a mechanical violation) is a common reason for a police officer to stop a vehicle and issue a ticket or citation—and a reason for the officer to inquire and investigate whether the driver has consumed any alcohol before operating the vehicle.

In some states tickets or citations for mechanical violations are known as fix-it tickets and the ticket or citation will indicate that it is a correctable violation of traffic laws. If you fix the mechanical problem within the required period and get the signature of an authorized person (a local police officer) the court may dismiss the ticket.

But if you fail to fix the mechanical problem within the required period you must pay the fine for the violation and you may be issued another ticket that will be part of your driving record.

In Maine, traffic laws mandate that motor vehicles operating on public highways, streets, roads, and driveways must be equipped with certain mechanical equipment in working order, such as headlights, taillights, rearview mirrors, and turn signals. If an officer observes a vehicle with a mechanical violation, such as a broken headlight or a missing rearview mirror, they have the authority to stop the vehicle and potentially issue a traffic citation. These mechanical violations can serve as a pretext for further investigation into whether the driver is under the influence of alcohol. In Maine, some mechanical violations may be considered 'fix-it' tickets. This means that the driver can have the issue corrected within a specified timeframe, have the repair certified by an authorized person such as a local police officer, and then present proof of the correction to the court. If the court accepts the proof, the ticket may be dismissed. However, failure to correct the mechanical issue within the allotted time can result in fines and the citation may become part of the driver's record.