A Motor Vehicle Repair Shop performs mechanical and/or body work on motor vehicles, diagnoses motor vehicle malfunctions, or operates a shop, drive-in station or garage that inspects motor vehicles to evaluate or estimate the cost of motor vehicle damage, or for determining the need for and cost of repairs.
NOTE: A NYS Inspection Station that does inspections for the general public MUST register as a NYS Motor Vehicle Repair Shop
Before you can open for business, you must prepare the following documents:
- Employment Identification Number
- Certificate of Authority to collect sales tax
- Business Certificate based on your business’s legal structure
- Unemployment Insurance
- Employee Disability Coverage
- Workers’ Compensation or Proof of Exemption and Employers’ Liability Insurance
There are a few required documents that must be obtained through the Department of Motor Vehicles. Some of the links will lead you to a PDF, which you can print and fill out, and some links will provide you with further information.
- Original Facility Application $160
- Statement of Ownership and/or Permission to Use Place of Business
- Repair Shop Requirements
- Commercial Vehicle Registration through the Department of Motor Vehicles
- Self-Storage Owner/Operator Affirmation and Bill of Sale
You must comply with FDNY requirements which require exams in order to obtain a license or permit. Exams take place at 9 MetroTech Center in Downtown Brooklyn. FDNY requirements include:
- Permit for Motor Fuel Storage and Dispensing Systems Application
- Permit for the Use of O2 with flammable gases
- Permit to use oxygen (o2) with natural gas
- Spraying or Dipping Operations Permit
- Repair Garage Permit (you must fax a request of the permit to the Fire Department District Office Headquarters)
- For each Certificate of Fitness that is required you will need to complete an Application and submit it when you take the exam along with a letter of recommendation from your employer and two forms of photo identification. The required Certificate of Fitness are:
- Certificate of Fitness for Supervising spray painting C-22
- Certificate of Fitness for Torch Use of Flammable Gases G-60
- Certificate of Fitness to Handle Motor Fuel
Additional Requirements that are needed for your business include:
- Facility Inventory Form
- Inspector Certification
- Employers’ Liability Insurance
- Labeling Requirements for Hazardous Substances
- Portable Fire Extinguisher
- Recycling and Waste Removal (private carters)
- Certificate of Occupancy (requires a registered architect or a professional engineer)
- Oil-water Separator must be installed
- Air Facility Registration
- Application for Approval of Back flow Prevention devices (must be submitted by a professional engineer or a registered architect to NYC Department of Environmental Protection DEP)
- Weights and Measures/Retail Gas Stations (DCA) call 311 to schedule
- Gasoline Dispensing Site Annual Throughput Registration ($190) Print application and complete. Send the application and payment to: