MANSFIELD — Since December 1997, every independent collision repair shop is required by law to register with the State of Ohio.
The program is administered by the Ohio Board of Motor Vehicle Repair whose mission is to insure repair shop compliance with existing statutes such as taxation, worker benefits and minimization of pollution.
In August of 2003, auto glass, paintless dent repair (PDR) and air bag businesses were added to registration requirements. In 2013, the General Assembly added motor vehicle window tint businesses to registration.
The board acts as an advocate on behalf of shop owners by addressing issues of concern to the industry.
They also promote consumer awareness and education regarding the motor vehicle repair process via literature, discussion forums and programs.
Most importantly they investigate and prosecute violations of the registration law. In 2015, investigators for this board worked in conjunction with the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department on a joint investigation of an illegal shop in Mansfield. The shop owner was indicted on various charges.
On their website www.mvrboard.ohio.gov there are information sections for both the consumer and repairers. Under the consumer section they have suggestions of what to do before choosing an auto repair shop, what your legal rights are and how you can verify that your shop choice is operating legally.
Under the auto repairer section there is information for shop registration and EPA compliance information, instructions and videos.
