Vehicle Service Experts Best Practice: Right to Repair
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Right to Repair: What Shop Owners Can Do (and Why It Matters)
1. Understand the Issue
Independent repair shops play a vital role in ensuring consumers have access to safe, affordable, and reliable vehicle repair options. Advocacy protects that right.
The Right to Repair Act guarantees fair access to vehicle data, repair tools, and parts—the lifeblood of a competitive aftermarket. Without it, independent shops risk losing access to the information needed to diagnose and repair modern vehicles.
Industry advocacy ensures your voice is heard on the issues that affect your daily business, from data access and technician training to workforce development and environmental regulations.
3. Get Involved
Participate in grassroots advocacy efforts by contacting legislators or signing petitions supporting Right to Repair and fair competition.
Attend events such as Auto Care Legislative Summit or state-level advocacy days to meet policymakers and share your shop’s story.
Encourage your team and customers to engage—even small actions, like sharing awareness posts or displaying advocacy flyers, create impact.
5. Communicate With Customers
Educate customers about why advocacy matters—their right to choose where to have their vehicle serviced depends on these efforts.
Display Auto Care’s Right to Repair consumer materials in your lobby or waiting area.
Post advocacy updates on social media to build community trust and awareness.
2. Stay Informed
Follow the Auto Care Association’s legislative and regulatory updates to stay current on federal and state initiatives.
Sign up for alerts from your state or regional association to learn about bills that directly affect your area.
Review updates quarterly with your leadership or management team to assess how upcoming changes could impact operations or compliance.
4. Collaborate Locally
Join your state or regional automotive service association to build relationships, access resources, and strengthen collective representation.
Partner with nearby shops to form local advocacy networks that can respond quickly to emerging legislative issues.
Work with trade schools or workforce programs to advocate for technician education funding and apprenticeships.
6. Measure and Celebrate Impact
Keep a record of advocacy actions taken, including emails sent, events attended, and associations joined.
Share advocacy wins with your team and celebrate collective progress—it reinforces purpose and pride.
Feature milestones in newsletters or social media to demonstrate your shop’s leadership in protecting consumer rights and supporting industry growth.
Additional Resources
| Resource | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Legislation & Data Access | ||
| Auto Care Association – Advocacy 101 | Comprehensive overview of how to get involved in advocacy, including Right to Repair and shop-owner engagement tools. | Visit Resource |
| Right to Repair Campaign (National) | Central campaign site for Right to Repair, featuring news, updates, and ways to support fair access to vehicle data and repair information. | Visit Resource |
| REPAIR Act Information Center | Legislative hub for the federal REPAIR Act, including bill status, FAQs, and advocacy actions for shop owners. | Visit Resource |
| MEMA Aftermarket Advocacy | Advocacy updates and policy information from MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, focusing on manufacturer and shop collaboration. | Visit Resource |
| National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) | Resource for OEM repair data access, security credentials, and diagnostic support related to Right to Repair initiatives. | Visit Resource |
| National Associations | ||
| Auto Care Association – Shop Toolkit | Practical toolkit for shop owners covering business resources, advocacy, data access, and professional growth. | Visit Resource |
| Automotive Service Association (ASA) | Represents independent repairers across the U.S. and provides education, training, and advocacy at national and state levels. | Visit Resource |
| Automotive Body Parts Association (ABPA) | Focused on aftermarket parts access and consumer choice, with advocacy tools and campaign resources. | Visit Resource |
| Automotive Maintenance & Repair Association (AMRA) | Promotes industry standards and consumer confidence through MAP guidelines. | Visit Resource |
| CAR Coalition | Coalition of repair, insurance, and consumer groups protecting Right to Repair and aftermarket competition. | Visit Resource |
| State & Regional Associations | ||
| Auto Care Association – State Associations Directory | Connect with your state association for local legislative updates and advocacy opportunities. | Visit Resource |
| ASA – Visit Your State’s Website | Direct links to state automotive service associations for networking, training, and support. | Visit Resource |
| Autobody Trade Associations by State | Comprehensive directory of state collision and repair associations for regional collaboration. | Visit Resource |
| Regional Association Contact List (Internal) | Create a custom internal resource featuring contact information for key surrounding states. | Internal Resource |
| Background & Research | ||
| Automotive Aftermarket Trade Associations List | Directory of automotive trade associations supporting the aftermarket industry. | Visit Resource |
| Library of Congress – Automotive Industry Associations Guide | Government research guide with links to major trade organizations and legislative resources. | Visit Resource |
| Auto Shop Digital – Trade Organizations Article | Article explaining the benefits of trade association membership for independent shops. | Visit Resource |
| Customer & Consumer Education | ||
| Car Care Council – Industry Tool Box | Customer education tools focused on maintenance, professionalism, and independent repair value. | Visit Resource |
| Auto Care – Advocacy Center | Public-facing advocacy hub with consumer outreach materials supporting Right to Repair. | Visit Resource |
