Repair Authorization Forms: A Practical Guide for Shops & Mobile Mechanics
The single piece of paper that prevents most shop-vs-customer disputes — and how Repairius operators run it through iContract.
Published 2026-05-14 · 6 min
What is a repair authorization form?
A repair authorization form is a short signed document where the customer approves a shop to perform diagnostic or repair work on their vehicle at a specified labor rate. It's the legal foundation that lets the shop touch the vehicle, charge for diagnostic time, and (in most states) place a mechanic's lien if the bill goes unpaid.
What every authorization should include
A good authorization is short and specific:
How shops capture this in the field
Operators on Repairius generate the form from the job ticket, hand the customer a tablet, and collect a signature in under a minute. The signed PDF is attached back to the job and emailed to the customer. iContract handles the document; Repairius handles the workflow.
Common mistakes to avoid
The two failure modes shops see again and again: 1) verbal-only approval for additional work — always paper a change with a short addendum, and 2) vague scope language like 'fix the noise' — describe the symptom AND the planned diagnostic so the labor charge is defensible.
FAQ
Is a phone-signed repair authorization legally binding?
Yes. ESIGN and UETA recognize e-signatures captured on phones and tablets. The audit trail (timestamp, IP, device) is the legal evidence.
Do I need a new form for additional work?
Yes — a short signed addendum is the cleanest way to authorize new line items beyond the original scope.
Can I require pre-payment?
Yes. The authorization can include a deposit or full pre-payment for parts.
Generate a repair authorization
Free template, e-signature included. Built for shops, mobile mechanics, and tow operators. Start free →