Tint Fix-It Ticket:

Quick answer: A California tint fix-it ticket is a correctable violation. To clear it: (1) remove or replace the illegal film so your front side windows read above 70% VLT, (2) get a Certificate of Correction signed, and (3) submit it to the court with the small dismissal fee by your deadline. It's then typically dismissed with no points. The base fine is about $25; ignoring it can push the total to ~$197.

What a “fix-it” (correctable) ticket means

Most illegal-tint citations in California are written as correctable violations. That's good news: the officer expects you to fix the tint and prove it, not just pay a fine. Handle it correctly and the ticket is usually dismissed for a small fee.

How to clear it, step by step

Deadlines — don't sit on it

Your citation lists a correction deadline (often around 30 days). Fix it and submit proof before that date. If you miss it, the ticket can convert to an uncorrected infraction: the total can climb to roughly $197 with fees, and you can be re-cited until the tint is legal. For the full cost breakdown, see how much is a tint ticket in California.

What “legal” means when you re-tint

To pass, your front side windows must let in more than 70% of light (glass + film). Back glass can stay any darkness. If you still want heat rejection up front, re-tint with a near-clear 70% ceramic film — it's legal and still blocks heat and UV. (Is ceramic tint legal in California?) If you have a medical need for darker film, see the medical exemption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a tint fix-it ticket?

A correctable (“fix-it”) violation for illegal tint. Instead of just paying a fine, you're expected to bring the tint into compliance, prove you did, and the citation is typically dismissed.

How do I clear a tint fix-it ticket in California?

Remove or replace the illegal film so your front side windows read above 70% VLT, get a Certificate of Correction signed by an officer or authorized station, then submit it to the court with the small dismissal fee by your deadline.

What is a Certificate of Correction?

It's the sign-off on your citation confirming the violation is fixed. An officer, the issuing agency, or an authorized inspection station can sign it after your tint is brought into compliance.

How long do I have to fix it?

Check the deadline printed on your citation (often around 30 days). Handle it before that date to avoid the ticket converting to a payable infraction with added fees.

What happens if I ignore a fix-it ticket?

It can become an uncorrected infraction — the total can rise to roughly $197 with fees, you may face a failure-to-appear, and you can be re-cited until the tint is legal. Correcting it is far cheaper.

Does a tint ticket put points on my license?

No. A window-tint infraction generally adds no points to your California driving record, but you still must correct the tint and clear the citation.

Can a shop help me pass?

Yes. A pro shop removes the illegal film and re-tints your front windows to a legal 70%+ film, then documents the VLT so you have proof of correction.

Caught a tint ticket in Sacramento? We can fix it

BGI Tint removes illegal film and re-tints your front windows to a California-legal 70%+ film — including ceramic that still blocks heat and UV — then gives you documentation of the new VLT for your Certificate of Correction. Same-day appointments, free quotes, and a lifetime tint warranty across Sacramento, Placer, and El Dorado counties.

• Call: (916) 460-9257
• Book: automotive window tinting

Written by BGI Tint • Reviewed by Vadym Bugai, owner & window tint installer.

Disclaimer — accurate as of 2026: Laws change; verify current requirements with the California DMV or CHP. General information, not legal advice.

Related guides

• California window tint laws — the full legal breakdown (the pillar)
• How much is a tint ticket in California? — the fines
• Darkest legal tint in California — what passes

Sources

• California Vehicle Code §26708 — leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
• Shouse Law Group — CVC §26708 overview — shouselaw.com
• California DMV — dmv.ca.gov