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
(AL Code Title 32, Ch. 5, scroll to Article 9)
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Alaska |
Vehicle Equipment Standards
(AK Statutes scroll to section 28.05.081)
|
Arizona |
Equipment
(ARS Title 28 scroll to 28-921 to 28-966)
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Arkansas |
Lighting and Equipment Regulations
(AR Code Title 27, Chapters 36 and 37)
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California |
Division 12 - Equipment of Vehicles (scroll down)
(California Vehicle Code)
|
Colorado |
Regulation of Vehicles and Traffic: Equipment
(CRS Title 42 scroll to 42-4-201 to 42-4-239)
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Connecticut |
Motor Vehicles: Equipment
(GSC Ch. 246 scroll to section 14-80 to 14-106)
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Delaware |
Equipment Requirements
(DE Code Title 21, Ch. 43, Subchapter I)
Lights
(DE Code Title 21, Ch. 43, Subchapter II)
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District of Columbia
|
Browse the D.C. Vehicle Code
(18-700, et seq)
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Florida |
State Uniform Traffic Control: Equipment
(FS Ch. 316 scroll to 316.217 to 316.455)
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Georgia |
Vehicles and Equipment
(Georgia Code scroll to 40-8-7 to 40-8-90)
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Hawaii |
Special Interest Vehicles
(HRS section 286-26.5)
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Idaho |
Vehicle Equipment
(ID Statutes Title 49, Ch. 9)
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Illinois |
Equipment of Vehicles
(625 ILCS 5, Chapter 12)
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Indiana |
Vehicle Equipment
(Indiana Code 9-21-7)
Motor Vehicle Equipment
(Indiana Code Title 9, Article 19)
|
Iowa |
Vehicle Equipment
(IA Code Ch. 321 scroll to 321.384 to 321.481 )
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Kansas |
Equipment of Vehicles
(KS Statutes Ch. 8, Article 17)
|
Kentucky |
Vehicle Equipment
(KRS Chapter 189 scroll to sections .020 to .205)
|
Louisiana |
Motor Vehicles and Traffic Regulation: Equipment
(LRS Title 32 scroll to 32:301 to 32:369)
Proper equipment required on vehicles
(LRS 32:53)
|
Maine |
Equipment
(MRS Title 29-A Chapter 17) |
Maryland |
Equipment of Vehicles
(MD Transp. Code Title 22)
|
Massachusetts |
Operation of unregistered or improperly equipped motor vehicles
(90 MGL section 9)
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Michigan |
Equipment
(MI Vehicle Code sections 257.683 to 257.711)
|
Minnesota |
Traffic Regulations: Equipment
(MN Statutes Ch. 169; scroll to 169.47 to 169.75)
|
Mississippi |
Equipment and Identification
(MS Code Title 63, Ch. 7)
|
Missouri |
Vehicle Equipment Regulations
(MRS Chapter 307)
|
Montana |
Vehicle Equipment
(MCA Title 61, Ch. 9) |
Nebraska |
Vehicle equipment and violations
(R.R.S. Nebr. § 60-6, 220 et al.)
|
Nevada |
Equipment of Vehicles
(NRS 484.541 to 484.646) |
New Hampshire |
Equipment of Vehicles
(NH Statutes Ch. 266) |
New Jersey |
Motor vehicle equipment
(NJ Statutes 39:3-46 to 39:3-84)
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New Mexico |
Motor Vehicles: Equipment
(NMS Ch. 66, Article 3 scroll to Part 9)
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New York |
Equipment of Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles
(NY Vehicle & Traffic Code Article 9)
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North Carolina |
Motor Vehicle Act: Equipment
(NCGS Ch. 20, Article 3 scroll to sections 20-122 to 20-137)
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North Dakota |
Equipment of Vehicles
(ND Code Chapter 39-21)
Size, Width, and Height Restrictions
(ND Code Chapter 39-12)
|
Ohio |
Traffic Laws: Equipment
(ORC Chapter 4513)
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Oklahoma |
Vehicle equipment
(OK Statutes 47-12-101)
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Oregon |
Vehicle Equipment Generally
(OR Vehicle Code Ch. 815)
Vehicle Equipment Lights
(OR Vehicle Code Ch. 816)
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Pennsylvania |
Equipment Standards
(PA Vehicle Code Ch. 41)
Lighting Equipment
(PA Vehicle Code Ch. 43)
Other Required Equipment
(PA Vehicle Code Ch. 45)
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Rhode Island |
Equipment and Accessories Generally
(RI Code Ch. 31-23)
Lighting Equipment and Reflectors
(RI Code Ch. 31-24)
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South Carolina |
Equipment and Identification
(SC Code scroll to Title 35)
|
South Dakota |
Motor Vehicles: Title 32
(32-15 through 32-19)
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Tennessee |
Equipment - Lighting Regulations
(TN Code Title 55, Chapter 9)
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Texas |
Vehicle Equipment
(TX Transp. Code Ch. 547)
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Utah |
Vehicle Equipment and Modifications
(UT Code scroll to 41-6a-1603 to 41-6a-1641)
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Vermont |
Operation of Vehicles: Equipment
(23 VSA Ch. 13 scroll to sections 1221 to 1391)
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Virginia |
Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety
(VA Code Title 46.2, Ch. 10)
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Washington |
Vehicle lighting and other equipment
(RCW Chapter 46.37)
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West Virginia |
Equipment
(WV Code Chapter 17C, Article 15)
Unsafe and improperly equipped vehicles
(WV Code section 17C-15-1)
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Wisconsin |
Equipment of Vehicles
(WI Code Chapter 347)
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Wyoming |
Equipment
(WY Statutes Title 31, Chapter 5, Article 9)
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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.