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 Wisconsin, state statutes require that motor vehicles operating on public highways, streets, roads, and driveways have certain mechanical equipment in good working order. This includes, but is not limited to, headlights, taillights, rearview mirrors, and turn signals. If a vehicle is found to have a mechanical violation, such as a broken headlight or a missing rearview mirror, law enforcement officers have the authority to stop the vehicle and issue a citation. Wisconsin does not have a formal 'fix-it ticket' system like some other states, but the officer issuing the citation may use discretion to allow the driver a certain period to correct the violation before the fine becomes mandatory. If the mechanical issue is corrected within this period and verified by an authorized person, such as a local police officer, the citation may be resolved without a fine. However, failure to correct the issue within the specified time frame will result in the necessity to pay the fine, and the citation may become part of the driver's record.