What You Need To Know About Your Fix-It Ticket

Getting pulled over by the police when driving doesn't always mean you've driven illegally. Sometimes, the problem is due to the condition of your vehicle, not your driving. In most of these cases, the police officer will give you a fix-it ticket. If you've never experienced this type of situation before, you may not understand what to do. Here's what you need to know.

Vehicle conditions

Your vehicle needs to be in safe condition while on the roadways. If not, you can put yourself and others into danger. These types of problems include broken headlights and brake lights that do not come on when you apply the brakes. Cracked windshields and damaged side mirrors can also result in a fix-it ticket. Sometimes, these issues are not fined monetarily but you may receive a warning and a fix-it ticket.

Fix-it tickets can also involve failure to display current vehicle inspection stickers and having a current registration for your vehicle. In addition to a fix-it ticket, these types of problems could cause your vehicle to be impounded, especially if the inspection and/or registration are long overdue. Another issue that could cause your vehicle to be impounded is if your windshield is severely cracked and your vision is obstructed.

Fix-it ticket

A fix-it ticket means that you will be required to get your vehicle and/or documentation fixed as soon as possible. After repairs are made, you'll need to take the vehicle to the police station or magistrate to verify that you made the required repairs and fixed your vehicle. The fix-it ticket will tell you exactly where to take your vehicle for this certification and by what date it needs to be done.

Repair shops

Most repairs can be made at any auto repair shop, such as faulty brake lights. However, many auto repair shops do not repair windshield and auto glass damages. Cracked windshields and broken windows will likely need to be repaired or replaced by an auto glass replacement and repair service. It's important to know that windshields need to be repaired according to the state law requirements.

Call the appropriate facility to make an appointment for the repair(s). Tell the receptionist or mechanic that you were given a fix-it ticket so they can get you in as soon as possible. Many auto glass repair services will come to your location, including the impound lot if your vehicle was impounded.

Financing

Most fix-it ticket repairs are minor and don't cost too much to repair. However, if you are living paycheck-to-paycheck, it may still be difficult to afford the repairs. This is one example of a good time to obtain a payday cash advance. If your fix-it ticket is for a bad windshield, contact your auto insurance company to see if the repair will be covered.

If you are not able to pay for the repairs before the date required on your fix-it ticket, you may be able to contact the magistrate for an extension. Keep in mind, however, that this may only buy you a few more days to get everything accomplished.

Certification

After the issue is repaired, take the vehicle to get certified that you fulfilled your obligation. Be sure to have your copy of the fix-it ticket with you when you take it to get certified. The official will inspect your vehicle and place a stamp on the ticket showing that you met the requirements. He or she will also stamp the official copy, which should then get sent to a receptionist to annotate your file in the computer system.

Several days after the certification, call the magistrate's office listed on your fix-it ticket to confirm that they received the documentation and you are good to go. Unfortunately, sometimes it takes a little time for paperwork to get from one office location to another. Therefore, it's a good idea to take care of a fix-it ticket as soon as possible instead of waiting until the final day.