Open and Operate a Repair or Body Shop

Before you apply to become a registered repair shop in New York State, you must:

• read the DMV Commissioner’s Motor Vehicle Repair Shop Regulations (PDF) (CR-82) and the Repair Shop Requirements (PDF) (VS-145)
• submit the Original Facility Application with all required documentation
• review the Repair Shop Zoning Requirements Letter (PDF) (VS-146)

You can also call the Office of Vehicle Safety and Clean Air for more information.

To become a registered repair shop in New York State, you must submit

• Original Facility Application (VS-1) 
• proof that you have permission to use the property at the business location. This can be a notarized statement from the property owner, lease (may be contingent on facility approval), sub-lease with primary lease, mortgage, deed, or receipted tax bill.
• proof of zoning as detailed in the Repair Shop Zoning Requirements Letter (PDF) (VS-146)
• your sales tax ID number and a copy of your Sales Tax Certificate of Authority. Do not submit your application if you do not have your Certificate of Authority. You may also need a Federal Employer Identification Number from the IRS to complete this step.
• proof of Workers' Compensation Insurance for your employees. If you do not have employees, indicate that on your application. 
• a photocopy of the driver license(s) or other government-issued photo identification for everyone listed on the application
• all required fees paid by checks made payable to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles
• a filing receipt from the New York State Department of State (for a Corporation or LLC) or a business certificate from the County Clerk (for an individual using assumed name or partnership)

Send your application, documents and fees to the Bureau of Consumer and Facility Services at the address below. Vehicle Safety’s Application Processing Unit will review your application and check that it is complete. If DMV approves your application, you will receive a repair shop registration.

Note: Mobile Repair Shops require an on-site investigation.

DMV does not provide official repair shop signs. You can purchase these signs from various sign shops and automotive supply stores. See Motor Vehicle Repair Shop Regulations (PDF) CR-82 (82.7) for specific requirements.

Authorizing repairs

You must have authorization from the customer to make repairs. You can require your customer to

• sign a repair order
• provide a written work order
• authorize the repair by telephone. If repairs are authorized by telephone, you must record the time, the date, and the name of the person who gave authorization.

 
If the final bill is more than the written estimate

The final bill cannot exceed your written estimate without the consent of the customer. You can charge a reasonable fee to make an estimate.

Customer abandoned their vehicle

You can try to foreclose a Garageperson's Lien against the vehicle. For more information, read Instructions and Requirements for Filing New York State Garageperson's Liens (PDF) (MV-901C).

Payment for storage of a vehicle

You can request payment for storage of a vehicle after you notify the customer by mail at the last known address.