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BAR launches integrated online license-renewal workflow; staff demonstrate validation, delinquency handling and print options
Summary
BAR demonstrated a new SimplyGov renewal workflow that validates license numbers against BAR records, supports multi-license payment in one transaction, calculates delinquency fees, and allows immediate print of a provisional wall license; BAR said official mailed wall licenses and some administrative holds can delay the license appearing online for up to five days.
The Bureau of Automotive Repair demonstrated an updated online renewal workflow at its Jan. 29 advisory meeting designed to simplify license renewal for automotive repair dealers (ARDs), smog stations and vehicle-safety stations.
BAR 's licensing manager Rebecca Guile showed a single SimplyGov workflow that lets a business renew multiple license types in one transaction, validates the provided license number against BAR's back-office database, and totals fees (including delinquency fees) before taking payment.
Guile ran a sample transaction renewing an ARD, a test-and-repair station and a vehicle-safety station in one flow, with a combined example payment of $320. The system returns a payment receipt immediately; BAR staff said the license record typically propagates through legacy back-office processing within three days and they strive to complete renewal processing within five days.
BAR staff emphasized safeguards: the new workflow prevents common user errors (entering wrong license numbers), accepts multi-year delinquent renewals that previously required paper checks, and ingests payments even when a license has a status that will require further staff review (revocations or cost holds). Michael Villareal (licensing) said the payment ingestion triggers back-office review and that the system retains the ability to place holds where legally required.
Privacy, printing and notifications: BAR collects both the email of the person completing the renewal and a business email address, but Guile noted the renewal workflow does not automatically update the official business email of record (a separate change-of-business form is required for that legal update). BAR continues to mail courtesy renewal notices and the official printed wall license; the online print function provides an immediate, printable license as a convenience for businesses while the official printed license is processed and mailed.
Concerns raised by advisory members and industry included whether BAR will tie the collected business email list to renewal notifications, how large chains can synchronize renewal dates across multiple locations, and whether technician wall licenses displayed publicly should include home addresses. BAR staff said they will review options for email notifications, coordination for large employers, and privacy safeguards for printed licenses with legal counsel.
Next steps: BAR will monitor early adoption of the workflow, follow up on requests to add prompts or links to related change forms (ASE/cert updates, controlling-individual changes), and evaluate email-notification features in future enhancements.
