How Much Is A Ticket For A License Plate Light Out? (2025)

What Is a License Plate Light Violation?

Motor vehicles sold in the U.S. have a small light above or adjacent to the rear license plate. This light illuminates the plate when the vehicle’s headlights and taillights are turned on.

The light serves two purposes. First, it shines on the reflective material coating the license plate, making your car more visible to people behind you. In poor lighting or bad weather, the light reflected from the license plate can help others avoid a rear end collision.

Second, license plates include contrasting colors so that your plate number stands out. The light highlights this contrast at night by causing the light letters on a dark background or the dark letters on a light background to stand out. This allows police officers behind your vehicle to read your plate number more easily.

A license plate violation occurs when this light does not function. This equipment violation might occur for many reasons, including the following:

• Burned-out light bulb
• Damaged wiring
• Blown electric fuse

Regardless of the reason for the equipment failure, a malfunctioning license plate light can increase the risk of accidents and make it more difficult for the police to identify your vehicle.

Is It Illegal to Drive With a Burned-Out Tag Light?

Most states have laws against driving without a license plate light. This equipment violation is typically classified as a non-moving violation and subject to a fine, but no jail time.

However, these violations are often found while stopping drivers for other offenses or after auto accidents. If the police officer identifies other legal violations in the process, such as a DUI, the driver may face fines or jail time for those other violations.

Additionally, a burned-out license plate light gives the police a reason to stop you. During the stop, the officer can look for other violations. For instance, they may sniff for alcohol as they talk to you and look through your windows for beer cans or liquor bottles in violation of the state’s open container law.

How Much Is the Ticket for a License Plate Light Out?

The fine for a license plate light violation is typically a few hundred dollars. For example, in Maine, the fine for an inadequate plate light is $152.

Some courts can also impose court fees on top of any fines. In Arnold, Missouri, you can pay a fine of $50.50 plus court fees of $30.50 for a non-functioning license plate light.

Does the Fine Vary by State or City?

There is no uniform fine for a burned-out license plate light in the U.S. Moreover, many states allow individual cities to set the fines for traffic infractions. Thus, the fine you pay depends on the department that issued the citation.

Can the Ticket Be Dismissed if I Fix the Light?

Many states allow judges to reduce or waive fines for equipment violations if you repair the issue before your court date. Michigan, for example, enables drivers to submit proof of the repair to the court. If the document is received before the court date, the judge can waive the $145 fine.

How Do I Avoid License Plate Light Citations?

The best way to avoid license plate citations is to regularly inspect your vehicle’s lights. If you notice that your light does not work, you should repair it or schedule an appointment with a garage to have it repaired. In the meantime, your appointment might be enough to avoid a ticket if an officer stops you.

What Happens if I Ignore the Ticket?

If you receive a ticket for a non-functioning license plate light, you should take it seriously. Although non-moving violations typically do not carry a jail sentence, a failure to pay the fine could result in a bench warrant. If you get stopped with an outstanding bench warrant, the police can take you to jail.

Insurance and Driving Record Impact of Light Violations

A violation for a missing or broken light is typically a non-moving infraction. Generally, it won’t add points to your license or appear on your public driving record.

This means it’s considered a minor issue and may not have an impact on your insurance premiums at all. There may be car insurance laws by state that vary when it comes to these infractions, however.

Additionally, these are usually “fix-it” tickets, which have set deadlines. In Minnesota, for example, you have 48 hours to fix the problem. If you allow too many of these to accumulate, fines could increase, and you could experience more serious consequences. That can then lead to higher insurance premiums and, potentially, license suspension.

Legal Defenses for License Plate Light Tickets

Getting pulled over by the police for a missing license plate light might leave you unsure of whether you can get out of the ticket. The good news is that there are defenses that you may be able to use to help you avoid the fine.

One of these is to state that the light was working and that the police officer wasn’t accurate in their assessment of the vehicle. If you had the light replaced or repaired before the police stop, you can provide that as evidence that it was working. If you have timestamped photos or videos that show the light was functional, those can be crucial evidence as well.

In some instances, you may be able to claim that the stop was unlawful. If you were obeying all traffic laws and the officer did not see the back of your vehicle or the supposed missing light, they might have had no legitimate reason to stop you.

It’s also possible that the police officer made a mistake in identifying the vehicle. If the stop occurred at night, they may have spotted a car with a missing light that was similar to yours.

Another potential defense is demonstrating that the light was dirty or otherwise obscured. If you have evidence that shows this clearly, then the ticket could be voided.

Because none of these defenses is easy to prove, it’s important to hire a lawyer to handle the process for you. Make sure to choose someone with experience in resolving these minor infractions so that the problem doesn’t drag on.

Moving Forward With Legal Guidance

Most judges understand the minor nature of a citation for a burned-out license plate light. They know that the answer to “How much is a ticket for a license plate light out?” is usually only a few hundred dollars, and that it may not be appropriate to jail you for failing to pay this fine.

However, judges are also bound to follow the law. If your state’s legal system allows imprisonment for unpaid fines, the judge may have no choice.

Consider hiring legal representation in these cases. Many courts have ways to resolve unpaid fines and bench warrants, particularly for non-criminal violations.

A lawyer can guide you through this process and identify possible solutions, such as a payment plan, that will allow you to remain compliant with the law. This can also be helpful if you find you cannot afford to pay the entire fine up front.

Contact ConsumerShield to Discuss Your Ticket Today

While most states consider non-moving violations to be non-criminal infractions, you may face serious consequences if you ignore a warning or citation. Failing to pay a fine can result in contempt of court, triggering additional fines or even jail time.

ConsumerShield can connect you with a knowledgeable lawyer in your area if you are dealing with issues related to a non-moving violation. Contact us for a free case evaluation today.