Auto Repair Work Order Requirements by State

• The work order must contain the authorized estimate for a specific job, the repairs requested and authorized by the customer, and the vehicle’s odometer reading (BPC § 9884.7(a)(2), CCR § 3352(b)).
• Authorization is obtained and recorded before any repair begins — written (signature and date), or oral/electronic with date, time, name and the phone number or email used (BPC § 9884.7(a)(3), CCR § 3353.1).
• Any additional work beyond the authorized estimate requires new authorization, documented on the work order (CCR §§ 3353, 3353.1).
• Estimates, work orders and invoices are kept at least three years, with a unique identifier per transaction (BPC § 9884.11, CCR § 3358).

Source: BAR — Write It Right (bar.ca.gov/wir)

• Before any repair work, the shop must obtain a written authorization on an invoice signed by the customer, including a written estimate of the maximum cost of parts and labor for the specific job (C.G.S. § 14-65f(a)(1)).
• No charge above the estimate without the customer’s oral or written consent, recorded on the invoice; the same applies to newly discovered repairs (§ 14-65f(a)(1), (c)).
• The authorization includes a written acknowledgment that the customer knows their right to choose the licensed repair shop (§ 14-65f(a)(2)).
• Under $50 total, the advance written estimate is not required unless the customer requests it; violation of the section is an infraction (§ 14-65f(f), (g)).

Sources: CT Attorney General — Automobile Repair in Connecticut · statutory text via CT General Assembly, Public Act 13-271

• A written repair estimate is required when the cost will exceed $150 — raised from $100 by Laws 2024, ch. 2024-137 — before any diagnostic work or repair (§ 559.905(1), Fla. Stat.).
• The estimate must carry 14 items: shop and customer names, addresses and phones; date and time; year, make, model, odometer and tag; proposed completion date; problem description; flat-rate or hourly statement; estimated cost including shop-supplies and waste charges with a mandated disclosure; the estimate fee; payment method; optional alternate authorizer; guarantee statement; replaced-parts statement; daily storage charge (§ 559.905(1)(a)–(n)).
• The customer signs a disclosure election — request estimate, set a not-to-exceed amount, or waive — in capital letters of at least 12-point type (§ 559.905(2)).
• Approval is required before the bill exceeds the estimate by more than $10 or 10 percent, whichever is greater (FDACS consumer guidance; § 559.909).

Sources: § 559.905, Fla. Stat. (Online Sunshine) · FDACS — Motor Vehicle Repair

• No work for compensation over $100 may start without specific authorization after the required disclosures; the shop gives a written estimated price for labor and parts, or a firm written price limit (815 ILCS 306/15(a)–(b)).
• Charges above the estimate by more than 10% require oral or written consent (§ 306/15(b)).
• Estimate contents: major parts and whether new or used; the labor-cost calculation method (flat-rate manual, actual time, or vehicle condition); whether repairs are required or suggested; disassembly/reassembly charges; the date, the odometer reading, and a promised delivery date (§ 306/15(b)(1)–(5)).
• If consent is oral, the shop notes the date, time, name of the person authorizing and the phone number on the work order or estimate and on the invoice (§ 306/25).
• Estimates and invoices are kept two years, available to the Attorney General (§ 306/65).

Sources: 815 ILCS 306/20 (ilga.gov) · 815 ILCS 306/15 · 815 ILCS 306/65

• On the customer’s request, a written estimate must be provided before repairs commence (§ 325F.58 subd. 1). The Act covers repairs over $100 on vehicles used primarily for personal, family or household purposes (§ 325F.56 subd. 2).
• Estimate contents: shop name and address; the problem as described by the customer; parts with reasonable particularity and their condition — new, used, rebuilt, reconditioned — including whether new parts are original equipment; labor charges; tax; delivery and other charges; and the total estimated price (§ 325F.56 subd. 8).
• Charges are capped at 110% of the estimate; beyond that, a revised written estimate and authorization are required (§ 325F.58 subd. 6).
• Oral communication of the estimate contents is permitted if the writing is provided on completion and the shop notes the date, time, phone number and name of the person authorizing (§ 325F.58 subd. 7).
• Violations are enforced under the Attorney General’s consumer-protection authority (§ 325F.63 subd. 3, applying § 8.31).

Sources: Minn. Stat. § 325F.56 · § 325F.58 · MN Attorney General — Truth in Repairs (revisor.mn.gov, ag.state.mn.us)

• On the customer’s request, the shop must give a written estimate and may not charge more than it without permission (VAT § 398-d(2)).
• Estimate contents: customer name; shop name and facility number; date; parts necessary with the cost of each, flagging used or non-original-quality parts; the labor charge for each repair with costs and the calculation method; year and make of vehicle; plate or VIN; the problem as reported by the customer; and a statement of the right to receive replaced parts on written request. Body parts must be classified as new OEM, new aftermarket, or used (§ 398-d(2); 15 NYCRR Part 82).
• No service without customer authorization; a shop-prepared written work order must be copied to the customer; oral or telephone authorization is recorded on the invoice with date, time and name (VAT § 398-d; DMV consumer guidance).
• The invoice must describe all work done and parts supplied, and state when used parts or mixed new/used component systems are supplied (§ 398-d(1)).
• Estimates, work orders and invoices are kept two years for DMV inspection (15 NYCRR § 82.9).

Sources: NY DMV — Know Your Rights in Auto Repair · NY DMV, Motor Vehicle Repair Shop Regulations (CR-82, Part 82) · VAT § 398-D (nysenate.gov)

• Before providing parts or labor, the facility must give a written price estimate of the total cost — or offer the statutory alternatives, including a waiver (RCW 46.71.025(1)).
• Charges may not exceed 110% of the estimate, exclusive of retail sales tax, without oral or written authorization (RCW 46.71.025(2)).
• Oral authorization must be noted on the estimate: date, time, additional parts and labor with estimated cost, the employee who obtained it, and the name and telephone number of the person authorizing (RCW 46.71.025(2)–(3)).
• A prescribed “YOUR CUSTOMER RIGHTS” sign must be posted on the premises (RCW 46.71.031); violations are enforceable under the Consumer Protection Act (RCW 46.71.070).

Source: Chapter 46.71 RCW — Automotive Repair (app.leg.wa.gov)