The following definitions apply for the purposes of this chapter:

(a) “Automotive repair dealer” means a person who, for compensation, engages in the business of repairing or diagnosing malfunctions of motor vehicles, or engages in the business of collecting compensation for automotive repair services that are referred or sublet to someone other than the dealer or their employees.

(b) “Automotive technician” means an employee of an automotive repair dealer or that dealer, if the employer or dealer repairs motor vehicles and who, for salary or wage, performs repairs of motor vehicles as set forth in subdivision (k).

(c) “Bureau” means the Bureau of Automotive Repair.

(d) “Chief” means the Chief of the Bureau of Automotive Repair.

(e) “Commercial business agreement” means an agreement, whether in writing or oral, entered into between a business or commercial enterprise and an automotive repair dealer, prior to the repair that is requested to be made, that contemplates a continuing business arrangement under which the automotive repair dealer is to repair any motor vehicle covered by the agreement, but does not mean any warranty or extended service agreement normally given by an automotive repair facility to its customers.

(f) “Customer” means the person presenting a motor vehicle for repair and authorizing the repairs to that motor vehicle. “Customer” shall not mean the automotive repair dealer providing the repair services or an insurer involved in a claim that includes the motor vehicle being repaired or an employee or agent or a person acting on behalf of the dealer or insurer.

(g) “Director” means the Director of Consumer Affairs.

(h) “Motor vehicle” means a passenger vehicle required to be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles and all motorcycles whether or not required to be registered by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

(i) “Person” includes a firm, partnership, association, limited liability company, or corporation.

(j) “Preventative maintenance services” means the following maintenance services: checking tire pressure and adding or relieving pressure, as necessary; rotating tires; changing transmission fluid, transmission filter, engine oil and filter, differential fluid, power steering fluid, and transfer case fluid; changing engine or cabin air filters, and external fuel filters; changing engine coolant; performing a fuel system induction service; replacing belts and windshield wiper blades; replacing light bulbs and restoring headlamps; adding oil or fuel treatments through the designated fill points; and topping off fluids; and all of the listed services include the removal, reinstallation, and replacement of any components necessary to perform each service, and the tapping of damaged threads without removal of any fluid pan.

(k) “Repair of motor vehicles” means all maintenance of and repairs to motor vehicles performed by an automotive repair dealer, including automotive body repair work, but excluding those repairs made pursuant to a commercial business agreement and roadside services.

(l) “Roadside services” means the services performed upon a motor vehicle for the purpose of transporting the vehicle or to permit it to be operated under its own power, by, or on behalf of, a motor club holding a certificate of authority pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 12160) of Part 5 of Division 2 of the Insurance Code, or by an operator of a tow truck, as defined in § 615 of the Vehicle Code, that is owned or operated by a person or entity who possesses a valid motor carrier permit, as described in § 34620 of the Vehicle Code, and is enrolled in the Basic Inspection of Terminals program, as described in § 34501.12 of the Vehicle Code.

(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 681, Sec. 2. (AB 1263) Effective January 1, 2024.)