BAR rules on mobile repair, referral services and online ads take effect Oct. 1; industry seeks guidance

The Bureau of Automotive Repair adopted new rules governing mobile automotive repair, referral services and internet advertising that took effect Oct. 1, 2025. The package requires mobile automotive repair dealers to keep records at a physical address, limits mobile work tied to a brick‑and‑mortar ARD to 50 miles, requires invoices to show where mobile repairs were performed, and moves internet‑advertising disclosure requirements to apply to all ARDs.

The rules also expand the bureau’s registration requirement to include referral services and online platforms that “collect compensation for automotive repair,” a change bureau staff said is intended to bring entities that broker or bundle repair labor and parts under ARD registration requirements.

“These regulations became effective October 1,” Bill Thomas, deputy chief for field operations and enforcement at the Bureau of Automotive Repair, told the advisory group. “An applicant for registration as a mobile ARD must provide a physical address where records will be maintained.”

Why this matters

The rules change how mobile repair operations and online marketers must identify themselves to consumers and to BAR investigators. By requiring a physical records address and a clearly displayed ARD number on internet advertising, BAR officials said they intend to make it easier for consumers to verify whether a shop is registered and for BAR to contact firms during consumer complaint investigations.

Key provisions and examples

- Physical records address: Mobile ARD applicants must provide a physical address where records will be maintained and made available for BAR inspection; postal mailboxes are not acceptable, BAR said. “Obviously, we can't go to post office boxes … to review records,” Thomas said.

- 50‑mile limit for brick‑and‑mortar exemptions: A brick‑and‑mortar ARD that operates mobile trucks will remain covered by the brick‑and‑mortar registration only if the mobile work is within 50 miles of the registered location. If a truck travels beyond 50 miles, that truck must be separately registered as a mobile ARD.

- Invoice location disclosure: Mobile ARDs must record on the final invoice the physical address where repairs were performed, or, if no address exists (for example, on a freeway), a description of the location (nearest cross street, mile marker, landmark).

- Referral services and registration: BAR will require registration as an ARD for any person or entity that “collects compensation” for automotive repairs that are referred or sublet to another person or business to perform the repairs. Thomas said this includes referral brokers, concierge services and online retailers that sell parts and arrange installation as part of the purchase transaction. “That entity is collecting compensation for automotive repair even though they're not … turning a wrench,” Thomas said.

- Compensation defined broadly: The regulations treat any payment or benefit that “confers value” — including discounts, rebates or gift cards provided by an ARD to a referral site — as compensation that can subject a referral service to ARD registration requirements.

- Internet advertising disclosure: The bureau moved internet‑advertising disclosure requirements out of the mobile‑repair article so they apply to all ARDs. Any online advertising must clearly display the firm business name as registered with BAR, the ARD registration number and the phone number on file with BAR.

What BAR says about tracking numbers and marketing practices

BAR acknowledged that many firms use call‑tracking numbers in digital marketing. Thomas said call‑tracking (forwarding) numbers are acceptable in ads as long as the ARD’s official phone number and mandatory registration information appear on the website where consumers ultimately land. “Call tracking numbers used by ARDs in Internet based advertising … are acceptable,” Thomas said; BAR’s expectation is that the number on file with BAR remain an active number that can be answered for regulatory contact.

Questions from industry

Advisory group members and public commenters raised practical questions about where ARD numbers should appear in advertising spaces with limited text (for example, Google ad copy, Yelp coupons, or Instagram image captions). BAR staff said a website landing page with the required ARD information satisfies the requirement so long as the ad directs users there. Thomas said BAR will produce frequently asked questions and best‑practice guidance to address placement in social media, directories and landing pages.

Industry members also asked how the rule applies when multiple locations run a single advertising campaign. Thomas said when an ad points to a specific location — with an address — that location’s ARD information should appear; if the ad only points to a chain brand without a specific address, the landing page that the ad links to should list the ARD information for the locations covered by the offer.

Enforcement and next steps

Thomas said BAR had already begun fielding questions and will publish Q&A and best practices on bar.ca.gov. BAR staff also said they are preparing a limited cleanup regulation to address marketing‑tracking questions raised after the package went into effect. Advisory group members urged BAR to provide more specific examples for Facebook, Instagram and other platforms.

No new fees or formal votes were recorded at the advisory meeting; BAR staff encouraged stakeholders to submit questions during any 45‑day public comment periods for future rule changes.

Ending note

BAR staff said the bureau will try to post clarifying guidance and examples soon and encouraged businesses using third‑party advertising platforms to make the ARD number and registered phone number readily available on landing pages.