ticket for Drive w/o Headlights? I have toyota automatic lights wtf?

I think the officer is correct. You're responsible to make sure the lights go on when it gets dark out. Either you need to fix them if they are not working properly or turn the headlights on manually.

I would bring a copy of the window sticker or other documentation that you have automatic headlights, evidence that they actually work and your owner's manual, which should describe the function of the automatic headlights.

Jeff

You're correct, they are auto-on lights. The sensor for the full auto-on headlights is on the left-front of the dash, right next to the windshield - under your inspection &/or registration sticker(s).

I got a ticket and tried to

Could you tell that they were indeed on? IOW, for some freak reason, could both headlights (bulbs) possibly be out??

If you know they were on, I'd definitely fight the ticket. Your brochure for the car (whether the booklet from dealership, or the on-line pamphlet), plus the presence of the photo sensor should be proof enough that the car comes equipped with auto-on full lights.

I feel like something's missing here - some bit of info that could possibly explain reason for the ticket, but don't know what.

Cathy

Hummm. Was it actually dark out? IE: past the local sunset would probably be the legal defining time I would think.. Mine has auto lights, but they always turn on a good bit early, rather than late. Mine will be starting to come on when it still fairly light, but in the trees, or whatever.. If the lights were not on, and it was actually dark, I would think that system is faulty. But if it was really dark, that is still no real excuse as far as they are concerned. You should be able to notice they are not on, and then manually turn them on. I think how dark it actually was is fairly critical. If it was semi light, I think he should have cut you some slack and just tell you to turn them on. But if it was actually dark, you don't have a very strong leg to stand on. In my case on the 05, I would still have the front daytime lamps going, but no tail lights. But like I say, mine always comes on a bit early, never late. I do have inspection stickers and registration over the sensor area, but they are semi translucent. Maybe thats why mine is never late.. :/ MK

You didn't say if it was actually dark. A lot of areas have laws that require you to turn on your headlights in the rain, snow or fog even during the daytime. Is this what happened?

My 2006 Corrola has day-time-running-lights (one of General Motor's truly stupid and insulting ideas) and they're so bright that it looks like my headlights are on even when they aren't. Did you disable the auto-on headlights and think that your DTRL were your headlights?

There's a lot here you aren't tell us. You didn't say if your lights were on or not. If you had turned on your parking lights, your headlights will not come on automatically.

Then again, maybe you should just pay the ticket.

Jack

My auto headlights (also an '04 Corolla) will usually come on to full brightness (upped from their daytime running light status) in these conditions.

Cathy

My Toyota has daytime running lights so the headlights are always on. During the daytime they are half bright and a sensor turns them to full bright when it senses darkness. What is important is my tail lights are off during the daytime and only turn on when the sensor senses darkness. You can tell when the sensor has turned on the tail lights by the dash lights also turning on. I find that streetlights or other bright lights can fool the sensor and my tail lights will not be turned on immediately. So I am careful to check for dash lights before beginning to drive. If needed I turn my lights on manually. I suspect your tail lights were off when you got your ticket.

To fight the ticket you would have to prove that the lights were actually on. Just proving that your car has the automatic feature won't help.

I remember this in Leave It To Beaver (I think). Wally got a ticket for not using his turn signal. In this case, it was because the sun was hitting his light, so that you couldn't see it was on. He demonstrated this to the office by shielding the sun, so that you can see that the turn signals are actually on. The officer rescinded his ticket.

Jeff