Florida Headlight Law and Broken Headlight Tickets
Florida headlight law asks for two working headlamps, and some equipment tickets can be reduced once you show the repair. If the headlight needs more than a bulb, we repair it by mail anywhere in the U.S., with a free quote first.
From $400 per headlight — final price in your free quote. Packing and shipping instructions come with your quote.
What the Florida Statutes say about headlights
Chapter 316 of the Florida Statutes sets the rules. Three sections apply to a headlight that is out or damaged:
- Section 316.220(1): “Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with at least two headlamps with at least one on each side of the front of the motor vehicle”, and they “shall show a white light.”
- Section 316.217(1): lamps must be lighted “At any time from sunset to sunrise including the twilight hours” and “During any rain, smoke, or fog.”
- Section 316.610: it is a violation to drive a vehicle that “is not at all times equipped with such lamps and other equipment in proper condition and adjustment as required in this chapter.”
Can you get a ticket for one headlight out in Florida?
Yes. Under Section 316.610(1), an officer who has reasonable cause to believe a vehicle is “not equipped as required by law” can stop it and inspect it.
Section 316.220(3) makes a headlamp violation “a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a nonmoving violation as provided in chapter 318.” Driving without lights when Section 316.217 requires them is treated differently: that one is punishable as a moving violation.
If an officer gives you a notice to repair
Section 316.610(2) separates two cases. If driving on would be unduly hazardous, the officer “may require the vehicle to be immediately repaired or removed from use.”
If it would not, the officer “shall give written notice to require proper repair and adjustment”, with a short deadline set in the same subsection. Read the notice the day you get it.
Showing the repair with an affidavit of compliance
When the citation is under Section 316.610, Section 316.6105 adds a way to lower the penalty:
- The officer “shall also issue an affidavit-of-compliance form.”
- You “may mitigate the civil penalty by making the necessary repair and presenting the vehicle to any local police department or sheriff’s department in this state for inspection.”
- Once the affidavit is signed, you mail or present it with the citation to the clerk of the court where the citation was issued.
Section 318.18(2)(c) then sets a reduced fine. The statute gives a deadline for all of this, so check which section your citation names and plan the repair early.
Dark bulb, cracked lens or a failed LED: what to fix
- A halogen or xenon headlight that went out: start with a new bulb.
- A cracked or broken lens: the lens can be replaced on your original housing. See Headlight Lens Replacement Service.
- A cracked housing or broken tabs after a hit: see Broken Headlight Repair.
- An LED headlight or DRL that stopped working: the unit has no bulb to swap. Tell us the symptom and we'll confirm whether the LED or DRL module can be repaired.
Repairing the original keeps the factory fit, and the beam still matches the other headlight.
Getting a Florida headlight repaired by mail
From $400 per headlight — final price in your free quote
Repair starts only after you approve your written quote. We confirm the turnaround time in your quote.
The headlight ships to us and back, so request your quote as soon as you have the ticket or the notice. Packing and shipping instructions come with your quote.
With the headlight back on the car, you can take it for the affidavit inspection. See How Mail-In Headlight Repair Works.
Florida headlight ticket questions
Is a broken headlight a moving violation in Florida?
A headlamp violation under Section 316.220 is a nonmoving violation. Not turning your lights on when Section 316.217 requires them is a moving violation.
Do I need my headlights on in the rain in Florida?
Yes. Section 316.217(1)(b) requires lighted lamps “During any rain, smoke, or fog,” as well as from sunset to sunrise.
Who signs the affidavit of compliance?
Under Section 316.6105, a local police department or sheriff’s department in Florida confirms the defect has been corrected and signs it. Our repair does not replace that step.
This guide is general information about the Florida Statutes, not legal advice. Sources: Online Sunshine, the Florida Legislature’s statutes website (Sections 316.217, 316.220, 316.610, 316.6105 and 318.18).
Fix the headlight and close out the ticket
Tell us your vehicle, the date on your citation and a few photos of the headlight, and you get a written quote before you ship anything.