Under traffic laws in all states, all motor vehicles are required to have certain equipment properly installed on a vehicle, and that equipment must be functioning correctly while the vehicle is in operation. Such equipment includes brakes, headlights, turn signals, mirrors, and windshields, to give just a few examples. A vehicle not properly equipped (i.e. no safety belts installed) or equipped with malfunctioning equipment (i.e. a burned-out head light) can receive a traffic ticket for a mechanical violation.
Mechanical Violations and Fix-It Tickets
In some states, citations for certain mechanical violations are considered correctable violations and often referred to as "fix-it" tickets. In California, for example, if you are given a "fix-it" ticket by a police officer, "yes" will be checked next to "Correctable Violation," and after the problem is fixed (i.e., you repair a non-functioning brake light), you must get the signature of an authorized person (i.e., a local law enforcement officer) on the "Certificate of Correction" portion of the ticket.
If the court accepts your correction, the case will be dismissed. But, if you fail to fix the problem within a short time after you receive a "fix-it" ticket, you will need to pay the fine for the mechanical violation, and you may be issued another ticket which will go on your record.
Mechanical Violations: State Laws
| Alabama | Regulation of Operation of Motor Vehicles: Equipment |
| Alaska | Vehicle Equipment Standards |
| Arizona | Equipment |
| Arkansas | Lighting and Equipment Regulations |
| California | Division 12 - Equipment of Vehicles (scroll down) |
| Colorado | Regulation of Vehicles and Traffic: Equipment |
| Connecticut | Motor Vehicles: Equipment |
| Delaware | Equipment Requirements Lights |
District of Columbia |
Browse the D.C. Vehicle Code |
| Florida | State Uniform Traffic Control: Equipment |
| Georgia | Vehicles and Equipment |
| Hawaii | Special Interest Vehicles |
| Idaho | Vehicle Equipment |
| Illinois | Equipment of Vehicles |
| Indiana | Vehicle Equipment Motor Vehicle Equipment |
| Iowa | Vehicle Equipment |
| Kansas | Equipment of Vehicles |
| Kentucky | Vehicle Equipment |
| Louisiana | Motor Vehicles and Traffic Regulation: Equipment Proper equipment required on vehicles |
| Maine | Equipment (MRS Title 29-A Chapter 17) |
| Maryland | Equipment of Vehicles |
| Massachusetts | Operation of unregistered or improperly equipped motor vehicles |
| Michigan | Equipment |
| Minnesota | Traffic Regulations: Equipment |
| Mississippi | Equipment and Identification |
| Missouri | Vehicle Equipment Regulations |
| Montana | Vehicle Equipment (MCA Title 61, Ch. 9) |
| Nebraska | Vehicle equipment and violations |
| Nevada | Equipment of Vehicles (NRS 484.541 to 484.646) |
| New Hampshire | Equipment of Vehicles (NH Statutes Ch. 266) |
| New Jersey | Motor vehicle equipment |
| New Mexico | Motor Vehicles: Equipment |
| New York | Equipment of Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles |
| North Carolina | Motor Vehicle Act: Equipment |
| North Dakota | Equipment of Vehicles Size, Width, and Height Restrictions |
| Ohio | Traffic Laws: Equipment |
| Oklahoma | Vehicle equipment |
| Oregon | Vehicle Equipment Generally Vehicle Equipment Lights |
| Pennsylvania | Equipment Standards Lighting Equipment Other Required Equipment |
| Rhode Island | Equipment and Accessories Generally Lighting Equipment and Reflectors |
| South Carolina | Equipment and Identification |
| South Dakota | Motor Vehicles: Title 32 |
| Tennessee | Equipment - Lighting Regulations |
| Texas | Vehicle Equipment |
| Utah | Vehicle Equipment and Modifications |
| Vermont | Operation of Vehicles: Equipment |
| Virginia | Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety |
| Washington | Vehicle lighting and other equipment |
| West Virginia | Equipment Unsafe and improperly equipped vehicles |
| Wisconsin | Equipment of Vehicles |
| Wyoming | Equipment |
Need Legal Advice for a Smog-Related Offense? Ask a Lawyer
Smog regulations are fairly straight-forward and typically don't require legal action. However, every situation is different and you may find yourself in need of expert advice. Contact a traffic law attorney in your area for more information.
