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 and taillights—and to turn headlights on at specified times, such as up to 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset.

A broken or burned-out headlight or taillight 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 Colorado, traffic laws mandate that motor vehicles on public roads must have certain mechanical equipment in working order, such as headlights and taillights. These lights must be turned on from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise, or when visibility is poor. If a driver is stopped for a malfunctioning headlight or taillight, they may receive a citation, which can sometimes be a 'fix-it' ticket. This type of ticket allows the driver to correct the issue within a specified timeframe and have the ticket signed off by an authorized person, such as a police officer, potentially leading to the dismissal of the citation. However, failure to correct the issue within the allotted time results in a fine and the citation may become part of the driver's driving record. It's important to note that while the initial stop may be for a mechanical violation, it can lead to further investigation, such as checking for alcohol consumption.