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 New York State, traffic laws mandate that all motor vehicles operating on public highways, streets, roads, and driveways must have certain mechanical equipment, such as headlights and taillights, in proper working order. Headlights must be used from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, as well as during poor visibility conditions. If a vehicle is found to have a mechanical violation, such as a broken headlight or taillight, law enforcement officers have the authority to stop the vehicle and issue a ticket. In New York, such tickets can be considered 'fix-it' tickets, which means the violation is correctable. The driver can have the issue repaired and then must have the repair verified by an authorized person, typically a police officer, within a specified time frame. If the repair is verified and the ticket is signed off by the authorized person, the driver can present this to the court, which may then dismiss the ticket. Failure to correct the issue within the required period can result in fines and the violation may become part of the driver's record.