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, taillights, rearview mirrors, and turn signals/blinkers.

A broken or missing piece of equipment on a vehicle (a mechanical violation) 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 Jersey, traffic laws mandate that all motor vehicles operating on public highways, streets, roads, and driveways must have certain mechanical equipment in good working order. This includes, but is not limited to, functioning headlights, taillights, rearview mirrors, and turn signals. If a vehicle is found to have a mechanical violation, such as a broken or missing piece of equipment, it can be grounds for a police officer to stop the vehicle and issue a ticket or citation. In New Jersey, such tickets may be considered 'fix-it' tickets, which are correctable violations. The ticket will specify if the violation can be corrected. To have the ticket dismissed, the driver must repair the mechanical issue within a specified time frame and have the repair verified by an authorized person, typically a local police officer. Failure to correct the issue within the allotted time results in fines and the violation may become part of the driver's record.