Citation and Remedial Training Programs for Automotive Repair Dealers

Pursuant to Assembly Bill 471 (Low, Chapter 372, Statutes of 2021), BAR adopted regulations on May 31, 2023, implementing citation and remedial training programs for automotive repair dealers, effective July 1, 2023. Under the programs, an automotive repair dealer who receives a citation for violations of the Automotive Repair Act may file an appeal to have the citation considered by a three-member citation review panel (composed of one representative each from BAR, the public, and the automotive repair industry). Additionally, an automotive repair dealer cited for violations deemed minor in nature may, once every 18 months and until July 1, 2026, complete remedial training by a BAR-certified remedial training provider to prevent disclosure of the citation on BAR’s website.

Aimed at supporting BAR's mission and commitment to consumer protection, the programs promote licensee compliance and enhance access to important information to help consumers make informed decisions about the maintenance and repair of their vehicles. Following is information on the programs for automotive repair dealers and individuals interested in applying to become a citation review panel member or certified remedial training provider.

Automotive Repair Dealers

Information on citation appeals and remedial training

An automotive repair dealer who receives a citation may file an appeal to have the citation considered by a citation review panel, providing a second layer of review for citations outside of the administrative appeal process. The panel is responsible for reviewing the details of an appealed citation and making a recommendation to the Bureau chief or their designee to affirm, modify, or dismiss the citation. Additionally, an automotive repair dealer cited for minor violations of the Automotive Repair Act such as documentation or recordkeeping errors may complete remedial training to prevent public disclosure of the citation on BAR’s website. A licensee is not eligible if they have taken a remedial training course to prevent disclosure of a citation in the prior 18 months, or the citation is issued for violations involving fraud. The training is provided by a BAR-certified remedial training provider and consists of a minimum of eight hours of instruction on BAR laws and regulations. Remedial training class information will be made available on BAR’s California Automotive Resource Center (CalARC).

Remedial training is completed by those individuals responsible for the conduct of the business—the business owner(s) and/or a responsible managing employee—as listed on the automotive repair dealer registration application. This is intended to encourage effective oversight of business operations and compliance with BAR laws and regulations by the responsible controlling individuals. However, automotive repair dealers are encouraged to also have any employees directly involved in a violation attend the training for the purposes of educating their staff. Employees may also complete remedial training independent of a citation.

Licensees are encouraged to keep their business information up-to-date to help ensure the appropriate individuals participate in remedial training. As a reminder, licensees must notify BAR within 14 days of a change of business name, address, or corporate officers or directors. For more information, visit Update a Business License.

Citation Review Panel

Apply to serve as a citation review panel member

BAR invites consumers and automotive repair industry representatives to apply to become a citation review panel member. Panel members serve on a voluntary basis and consider informal appeals of automotive repair dealer citations. To learn more about how you can help BAR fulfill its consumer protection mission, visit our Citation Review Panel page.

Remedial Training Providers

Get certified as a remedial training provider

Remedial training is intended to enhance consumer protection by providing automotive repair dealers cited for violations of the Automotive Repair Act deemed minor in nature additional training on BAR’s laws and regulations.

Training providers seeking to become a certified remedial training provider must submit an application and a description of their training course to BAR for review and approval. Certification must be renewed every five years. For more information and to apply, visit Certified Training Providers.