A fix-it ticket is the best traffic ticket you can get in California. Unlike speeding or red light tickets that carry hundreds of dollars in fines and DMV points, a correctable violation can be completely dismissed for just $25 — if you know what to do. The problem is that most drivers either do not realize their ticket is correctable, do not understand the dismissal process, or wait too long and let a simple fix-it ticket turn into a $600+ problem.
Under CVC §40522, California law allows certain equipment and documentation violations to be classified as "correctable violations." This means if you fix the underlying problem and provide proof to the court, the citation is dismissed. No fine beyond a small court fee. No DMV points. No record. This guide covers every common fix-it violation in California, the exact step-by-step dismissal process, and what happens if you ignore a correctable citation.
What Is a Fix-It Ticket?
A fix-it ticket is a citation for a vehicle equipment defect or documentation issue that the officer believes you can correct after the stop. Instead of imposing a full fine, the officer marks the citation as "correctable" and gives you time to fix the problem and prove it to the court.
The key distinction: a fix-it ticket is about the condition of your vehicle or documents, not about your driving behavior. Speeding, running a red light, and DUI are behavior-based violations and can never be correctable. A burned-out headlight, expired registration, or missing license plate is an equipment or documentation issue that can be fixed.
How to Know If Your Ticket Is Correctable
Look at your citation for one of these indicators:
- A checkbox marked "Correctable Violation" or "CV"
- The word "Correctable" written or printed on the citation
- A "Proof of Correction" section on the back of the ticket
If any of these are present, your ticket qualifies for the fix-it dismissal process. If the officer did not mark it as correctable but the violation is typically a correctable offense, you can request correctable status from the court. The court has discretion to grant this request.
Complete List of Common Fix-It Violations in California
| Violation | CVC Code | Fix-It? | Full Fine If Not Fixed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burned-out headlight | CVC §24400 | ✅ Yes | $285 |
| Burned-out tail light | CVC §24600 | ✅ Yes | $285 |
| Broken brake light | CVC §24603 | ✅ Yes | $285 |
| License plate light out | CVC §24601 | ✅ Yes | $285 |
| No front license plate | CVC §5200 | ✅ Yes | $285 |
| Expired registration | CVC §4000(a) | ✅ Yes | $285–$367 |
| Illegal window tint | CVC §26708 | ✅ Yes | $285 |
| No proof of insurance | CVC §16029 | ✅ Yes (if insured at time of stop) | $490–$920 |
| Cracked or damaged windshield | CVC §26710 | ✅ Yes | $285 |
| Missing or broken side mirror | CVC §26709 | ✅ Yes | $285 |
| Broken or missing muffler / exhaust | CVC §27150 | ✅ Yes | $285 |
| Excessive vehicle noise | CVC §27151 | ✅ Yes | $285 |
| Worn or bald tires | CVC §27465 | ✅ Yes | $285 |
| No driver's license in possession | CVC §12951 | ✅ Yes (if license is valid) | $285 |
| Obstructed license plate | CVC §5201 | ✅ Yes | $285 |
| Broken windshield wipers | CVC §26706 | ✅ Yes | $285 |
Step-by-Step: How to Dismiss a Fix-It Ticket
The dismissal process is the same for every correctable violation in California. It takes less than 2 hours total and costs only $25.
- Fix the problem. Replace the burned-out light bulb, repair the mirror, renew your registration, remove the illegal tint — whatever the citation says. Keep the receipt for parts or service as additional proof.
- Get the correction verified. Take your vehicle and the original citation to any of the following:
- Any police station (front desk)
- Any sheriff's office
- Any California Highway Patrol (CHP) office
- Some AAA offices (for registration-related corrections only)
- Submit the signed ticket to the court. You can do this:
- By mail — include a check or money order for $25 payable to the court
- In person — at the court clerk's window with $25 cash, check, or card
- Online — some courts accept scanned signed tickets through their portal
- The ticket is dismissed. No additional fine. No DMV points. No record of the violation.
Typical Repair Costs for Common Fix-It Violations
| Violation | DIY Repair Cost | Shop Repair Cost | Total With $25 Court Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headlight / tail light / brake light bulb | $5 – $15 | $20 – $50 | $30 – $75 |
| License plate light | $3 – $10 | $15 – $30 | $28 – $55 |
| Front license plate (bracket + install) | $10 – $25 | $25 – $50 | $35 – $75 |
| Window tint removal (2 front windows) | $10 – $20 (DIY kit) | $25 – $75 | $35 – $100 |
| Side mirror replacement | $20 – $60 | $75 – $200 | $45 – $225 |
| Windshield repair (chip/crack) | $15 – $30 (repair kit) | $50 – $100 (repair) / $200–$400 (replacement) | $40 – $425 |
| Muffler / exhaust repair | Not recommended DIY | $75 – $300 | $100 – $325 |
| Tire replacement (single tire) | N/A | $60 – $200 | $85 – $225 |
Even the most expensive repair (windshield replacement at $400 + $25 court fee = $425) is still cheaper than the $285 full fine when you consider that paying the fine does not fix the problem and you can be ticketed again immediately for the same issue.
What Happens If You Ignore a Fix-It Ticket
A fix-it ticket that could have been resolved for $25 follows the same escalation path as any other California traffic ticket when ignored:
| Timeline | What Happens | Running Total |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 – 60 | Grace period. Fix and submit for $25. | $25 |
| Day 61 | Ticket converts to standard infraction. Full fine assessed. | $285 |
| Day 61+ | Failure to Appear (FTA) — $300 civil assessment added. | $585 |
| Day 90+ | DMV hold placed on license. | $585 + hold |
| 6+ months | Sent to Franchise Tax Board collections. 30% surcharge added. | $760+ |
A $25 fix-it ticket becomes a $760+ problem. This is a 30x increase from the original cost. There is no traffic violation in California where the ratio of "cost to fix" versus "cost to ignore" is more dramatic.
Can You Still Fix It After the Deadline?
Yes, but with reduced benefits. If your court deadline has already passed:
- Contact the court immediately. Explain that you have now fixed the problem.
- Many courts will still allow the fix-it dismissal process even after the deadline, but you may be required to pay a higher administrative fee ($50–$100) instead of the standard $25.
- If an FTA has already been charged, you will need to negotiate the $300 civil assessment in addition to the fix-it fee. Most courts reduce the FTA to $50–$150 for voluntary appearance.
- If the debt has been sent to collections, you must resolve it through the Franchise Tax Board or the collections agency, then contact the court to clear the record.
Bottom line: it is always better to fix it late than to never fix it at all. Even if you are past the deadline, contacting the court and showing proof of correction will almost always result in a better outcome than paying the full fine.
Fix-It Tickets and DMV Points
Correctable violations that are properly dismissed do not add any points to your California DMV driving record. They do not appear on your Motor Vehicle Report (MVR). They do not affect your insurance premiums. They create no record at all.
However, if you pay the full fine without fixing the issue (or if the ticket converts to a standard infraction due to missed deadline), the violation appears on your record. Most equipment violations are non-moving and carry 0 points even when paid as full infractions. But the conviction will be visible on your record and the fine is significantly higher.
Special Situations
No Front License Plate (CVC §5200)
This is one of the most commonly contested fix-it tickets in California. Many drivers with European or Japanese-import vehicles do not install front plates because the manufacturer did not include a front plate bracket. California requires both front and rear plates on all passenger vehicles. The fix is simple: purchase an aftermarket bracket ($10–$25) and mount the plate. Some specialty brackets are designed for vehicles without factory mounting points.
Cracked Windshield (CVC §26710)
Not every windshield crack results in a fix-it ticket. The law requires that the windshield provide "an unobstructed view" for the driver. A small chip on the passenger side may not be cited, while a crack extending through the driver's line of sight almost always will be. Many auto insurance policies include free windshield repair or replacement with zero deductible — check your policy before paying out of pocket.
No Driver's License in Possession (CVC §12951)
If you have a valid California driver's license but did not have it with you during the traffic stop, this is a correctable violation. Simply bring your valid license to a police station along with the ticket, get the correction signed, and submit to the court with $25. This is different from driving without a valid license (CVC §12500), which is not correctable and can be a misdemeanor.
Fix-It Ticket Cost Comparison: Fix vs. Pay vs. Ignore
| Action | Cost | Points | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fix and dismiss | $25 + repair cost | 0 | None |
| Pay full fine (no fix) | $285–$920 | 0 (equipment) | On record |
| Ignore completely | $585–$760+ | 0 (equipment) | On record + FTA + DMV hold + collections |
Conclusion
A fix-it ticket is the simplest, cheapest, and most forgiving citation in the entire California traffic system. The state is literally telling you: "Fix this problem, show us proof, pay $25, and we will pretend this never happened." No other violation type offers this deal. A $5 light bulb and $25 court fee resolves what would otherwise be a $285 fine — and prevents the $760+ catastrophe that comes from ignoring it.
If you receive a fix-it ticket, fix the problem immediately, get it signed at any police station, and submit it to the court. The entire process takes less than 2 hours and costs less than a tank of gas. There is no simpler, cheaper, or more straightforward way to make a traffic ticket disappear in California.