230-RICR-30-05-2
230-RICR-30-05-2. Motor Vehicle Body and Salvage Vehicle Repair (version Amendment, 10/26/2017 to 01/04/2022)
2.1 Authority
This Regulation (the
"Regulation") is promulgated pursuant to the authority
granted in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-38-1 et seq ., specifically §§
5-38-2, 5-38-5, 5-38-7, and § 31-46-7.
2.2 Purpose
The purpose of this
Regulation is to establish standards and procedures for the issuance
of Motor Vehicle Body Licenses for Motor Vehicle Body Work and
Salvage Vehicle Repair Licenses for the Business of Salvage Vehicle
Repairing to generally assist the Department in carrying out the
administration and enforcement of the terms and provisions of the
Acts so that the public interest may be effectively served.
2.3 Definitions
A. When used in this
Regulation, the following words, except as otherwise required by the
context, shall have the following meaning:
1. "Acts" means R.I.
Gen. Laws § 5-38-1 et seq ., as amended, and § 31-46-1 et
seq ., as amended.
2. "Applicant" means
a Person filing an application for a License under this Regulation.
3. “Automobile Body Shop”
is as defined in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-38-1, and includes any
establishment, garage, or work area enclosed within a building where
repairs are made or caused to be made to motor vehicle bodies,
including fenders, bumpers, chassis and similar components of motor
vehicle bodies as distinguished from the seats, motor, transmission,
and other accessories for propulsion and general running gear of
motor vehicles, except as provided in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-38-20.
4. “Automobile
Manufacturer” means any person, partnership, corporation,
association, or other form of business enterprise engaged in
manufacturing or assembling of passenger cars, trucks, or station
wagons, including any person, partnership or corporation which acts
for or is under the control of such manufacturer or assembler in
connection with the distribution of said motor vehicles.
5. “Business of Salvage
Vehicle Repairing” or “Salvage Vehicle Repairing” means the act
or acts of preparing, fixing, restoring, or putting together Salvage
Vehicles for the owner of the vehicle, or for the purpose of resale
in the retail market.
6. “Certificate of Salvage
Repair” means a certificate executed by a Licensee which shall
certify that the Licensee has rebuilt the Salvage Vehicle in
accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-46-1 et seq . and this
Regulation and which must accompany the vehicle to the inspection
station and registry.
7. “Certification
Organization” means an organization that certifies individuals in
motor vehicle body repair work. Such organizations shall include, but
are not limited to, Automotive Service Excellence (“ASE”),
Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (“ICAR”), New
England Technical Institute, Rhode Island auto body repair
associations, and other certified or accredited public or private
educational institutions.
8. “Consumer” means the
person or entity whose vehicle is being or has been repaired.
9. "Department"
means the Department of Business Regulation.
10. "Director" means
the Director of the Department or his or her designee.
11. "Licensee" means
a Person holding a License pursuant to this Regulation.
12. "Motor Vehicle"
means any automobile, truck or other self-propelled vehicle of any
type.
13. "Motor Vehicle Body"
means that portion of the Motor Vehicle mounted on the chassis or
frame or unibody, including fenders, bumpers, chassis, windshields,
glass and similar components of motor vehicle bodies as distinguished
from the seats, motor, transmission, air conditioning condenser,
radiator and other accessories for propulsion and general running
gear of motor vehicles.
14. "Motor Vehicle Body
License" means any type of License from the Department issued to
a Person engaged in the business of Motor Vehicle Body Work.
15. "Motor Vehicle Body
Work" or “Business of Motor Vehicle Body Work” means the act
or acts of preparing, fixing, restoring, painting or putting together
a Motor Vehicle Body, including repairing, replacing or installing of
glass thereon, or the subcontracting of said work.
16. "Person" means
any individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company,
sole proprietorship, or any other legal entity, however formed.
17. “Salvage Vehicle”
means a Motor Vehicle declared to be a total loss because of:
a. Damage to such Motor
Vehicle; or
b. Settlement of a claim for
damage or theft, whether or not it is an owner retained Motor
Vehicle.
18. “Salvage Vehicle Repair
License” means an additional license issued to a Full Collison
Licensee that authorizes that Licensee to also conduct the Business
of Salvage Vehicle Repairing.
19. “Shop Employee” means
any individual employed (including owners, partners and all other
individuals whether paid or unpaid) by an Automobile Body Shop who
does not perform repairs of frame, structural systems, mechanical
systems or the safety related systems of a Motor Vehicle.
20. “Technician” means any
individual employed (including owners, partners and all other
individuals whether paid or unpaid) by an Automobile Body Shop who
performs repairs of frame, structural systems, mechanical systems or
the safety related systems of a Motor Vehicle.
2.4 License Requirements
A. License Required. No Person
may engage in the Business of Motor Vehicle Body Work or the Business
of Salvage Vehicle Repairing without first obtaining the appropriate
License from the Department. All Motor Vehicle Body Work and Salvage
Vehicle Repairing must be performed at a fixed, licensed location
except for glass repair and installation, and paintless dent repairs,
which may be performed using mobile units. The term of each Motor
Vehicle Body License shall be for not more than three (3) years
before a renewal application is required.
1. An application for renewal
of a Motor Vehicle Body License that is determined to be incomplete
by the Department may be deemed an incomplete application, and at
that time may be denied and/or the license may not be renewed.
Notification of such denial and/or non-renewal will be mailed by the
Department and will provide notice of the right to a hearing, if
requested within thirty (30) days.
B. Application Requirements.
Every Applicant for a Motor Vehicle Body License or renewal of an
existing Motor Vehicle Body License must submit to the Department the
following:
1. The completed application
form adopted by the Department;
2. The License fee of three
hundred dollars ($300) for each year the Motor Vehicle Body License
is to be issued (the standard License term is three (3) years, and
the corresponding fee is $900, but one or two year licenses are
available upon request);
3. A Certificate of Insurance
to demonstrate financial responsibility sufficient to satisfy to the
requirements of § 2.4(C) of this Part;
4. Evidence of compliance with
state and local zoning, fire, health and safety laws and regulations
through proof of zoning approval (only required for new and transfer
applications) and a letter from a local fire department or the state
fire marshal;
5. A designation of the person
and address, including an email address, where the Department may
send notices;
6. An EPA number issued by the
RI Department of Environmental Management (“DEM”), or a letter
from DEM stating that they are not required to maintain such a number
(only required for new and transfer license applications);
7. Evidence of Technician
certification in compliance with the requirements of § 2.12 of this
Part . This requirement shall not apply
to Motor Vehicle Glass installation licenses.
8. A completed taxpayer status
affidavit; and
9. Certification that they are
in good standing with the Rhode Island Secretary of State (only
required for corporations and limited liability companies).
C. Evidence of Financial
Responsibility (Insurance).
1. Each Applicant shall
furnish to the Director and maintain during the terms of the Motor
Vehicle Body License a certificate of insurance issued by an
insurance company licensed to transact business in this state showing
that the Applicant has a policy insuring him, her or it against
liability for injury to persons and damage to property which may be
caused by the operation of the business. Such policy shall provide
for:
a. Bodily injury and property
damage liability in the amount of not less than five hundred thousand
dollars ($500,000) per occurrence; and
b. Garage keepers legal
liability including comprehensive and collision for damage to
customers vehicles in the amount of not less than one hundred
thousand dollars ($100,000) per occurrence.
2. Such insurance shall be
non-cancelable by either party to the contract, except with five (5)
days prior written notice to the Department furnished by the
Licensee. Licensee shall also instruct the insurance company that
issued the policy to send written notice to the Department at least
five (5) days prior to any cancellation of the contract. Cancellation
shall be effective not sooner than five (5) days after receipt of
said notice by the Department from the Licensee or insurance company,
whichever is earlier. Any Licensee subject to such insurance
cancellation shall obtain a replacement insurance policy and shall
furnish to the Director a certificate of insurance evidencing new
insurance coverage sufficient to meet the requirements listed above
or see § 2.4(G) of this Part.
3. Licensees shall instruct
their insurer to send cancellation notices to the Department at the
following address:
Department of Business
Regulation
Commercial Licensing Division,
Attn: Auto Body
1511 Pontiac Ave
Cranston, RI 02920
D. Space Requirements. Except
as otherwise provided below, Licensees must conduct the Motor Vehicle
Body Work and Salvage Vehicle Repair Work at a fixed location with at
least 4000 square feet of heated ground level floor space, with a
specific location and common boundaries where Motor Vehicles may be
serviced.
1. The provisions of this
paragraph do not apply to any Licensees in existence and having a
valid License as of the date of this regulation.
2. Upon written request, the
Department may waive the minimum space requirements in part or in
whole upon a written finding by the Department that there will be
minimal or no adverse effect to the public.
E. On Site Inspection. Before
issuing a License a field representative of the Department may make
an on-site inspection of the Applicant’s business premises.
F. Display of Licenses. Every
Licensee must conspicuously display the Motor Vehicle Body and
Salvage Vehicle Repair Work license issued by the Department at the
location listed on the license. The license number must appear on
all business communications, estimates, signs, business cards, and
other written documentation related to that business.
G. Continuing Licensing
Requirements. Each Licensee is required to remain in compliance with
this Part throughout the term of their License. If a Licensee
becomes aware that they are not in compliance, the Licensee shall
notify the Department of the deficiency within 30 days. Such
notification shall identify a plan of correction. Any Licensee shall
have 60 days to return to full compliance with these rules before
their license may be revoked for violating this provision.
2.5 Full Collision Repair License
- Class A
A. FULL COLLISION REPAIR
LICENSE CLASS A (“Class A License”). This License permits a
Licensee to perform all types of Motor Vehicle Body Work. In addition
to satisfying the requirements for a Class B License (set forth in §
2.6 of this Part) and completing the application process set forth in
§ 2.4 of this Part, all applicants for a Class A License must
satisfy and submit proof of the following requirements.
1. Evidence of certification
for the repair and refinishing of aluminum, high strength steel, and
other metal or alloy, by at least one Automobile Manufacturer. Proof
of certification will be accepted by the Department provided it is
directly from the Automobile Manufacturer or its designated third
party administrator;
2. Evidence of a written
lifetime warranty on repairs that is valid against workmanship
defects;
3. Evidence of the existence
of a system for documenting customer complaints; and
4. Evidence of certification,
pursuant to § 2.12 of this Part, for all Technicians in all seven
(7) areas.
2.6 Full Collision Repair License
- Class B
A. FULL COLLISION REPAIR
LICENSE CLASS B (“Class B License”). This License permits a
Licensee to perform all types of Motor Vehicle Body Work. In addition
to completing the application process set forth in § 2.4 of this
Part, all applicants for a Class B License must satisfy and submit
proof of the following requirements:
1. Electrical and/or hydraulic
pulling equipment;
2. Current dimensional guides;
3. Four (4) point clamping
system to secure vehicle;
4. Equipment/gauges mechanical
or electronic capable of three dimensional measurements;
5. Welding equipment to meet
manufacturers' requirements;
6. A paint system or access to
a paint system capable of producing original manufacturers'
requirements and a spray booth that conforms to the requirements of
the State of Rhode Island Fire Marshal;
7. Parking in compliance with
local laws and regulations to perform the repair work; and
8. Evidence of Technician
certification as required by § 2.12 of this Part.
2.7 Transitioning between Class A
and Class B Licenses
A. Transitioning from a Class
B License to a Class A License. Class B License holders may apply to
transition to a Class A License at any time during the term of the
License with payment of an additional Three Hundred Dollar ($300)
non-refundable fee. If the Department determines that they meet the
licensing requirements of a Class A License, the Department will
issue the Licensee a Class A License with the same expiration date as
the Class B Licensee’s existing license. The Licensee shall then
return its Class B License to the Department within fifteen (15)
days.
B. Transitioning back from a
Class A License to a Class B License. If a Class A Licensee no
longer meets the requirements of § 2.5 of this Part, it must notify
the Department within 30 days. It will then have 60 days to return
to compliance, or its license may be converted to a Class B License
for the remainder of its license term if it meets the requirements of
§ 2.6 of this Part and, if not, the license may be revoked, as in §
2.4(G) of this Part.
2.8 Limited Heavy Truck and
Equipment License
A. This License permits the
refinishing and body repair of trucks over the GVW (gross vehicle
weight) of 24,000 pounds, cranes, trailers or other equipment. In
addition to completing the application process set forth in § 2.4 of
this Part, applicants must satisfy and submit proof of the following
requirements:
1. Parking in compliance with
local laws and regulations to perform the repair work;
2. Welding equipment to meet
manufacturers’ requirements;
3. A paint system or access to
a paint system capable of producing original manufacturers'
requirement; and a spray booth that conforms to the requirements of
the State of Rhode Island Fire Marshal; and
4. Evidence of Technician
certification as required by § 2.12 of this Part.
2.9 Limited Paint, Restoration and
Customization License
A. This License permits
restoration or customization of motor vehicles but not collision
damaged vehicles. In addition to
completing the application process set forth in §
2.4) of this Part , the
applicant must submit proof of and
satisfy the following requirements:
1. Parking in compliance with
local laws and regulations to perform the repair work;
2. Welding equipment to meet
manufacturers'
requirements;
3. A paint system or access to
a paint system capable of producing original manufacturers'
requirement; and a spray
booth that conforms to the requirements of
the State of Rhode Island Fire Marshal; and
4. Evidence of Technician
certification as required by § 2.12 of this Part.
2.10 Special Use Licenses
A. A Special Use License
permits limited, specially identified activities within the
definition of Motor Vehicle Body Work that are not consistent with
the licenses described in §§ 2.5, 2.6, 2.8 and 2.9 of this Part. In
addition to completing the application process set forth in § 2.4 of
this Part, the Department will inform the applicant of other
requirements necessary to obtain a Special Use License based on the
specific special use they anticipate. Examples of previously
requested Special Use Licenses are: “Special Use - Motorcycle
Repair” and “Special Use - Frame Pulling Only License” (for a
Body Shop that only straightens frames).
2.11 Salvage Vehicle Repair
License
A. License Required. No Person
may engage in the Business of Salvage Vehicle Repairing without first
obtaining a License. Only Class A, Class B and Special Use Licensees
pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-38-1, et seq ., are eligible to
apply for and hold a Salvage Vehicle Repair License. The term of each
License issued shall not exceed three (3) years. The fee for the
Salvage Vehicle Repair License shall be in addition to the fee for
the Class A, Class B or Special Use License.
B. Class A Licensee Salvage
Vehicle Repair License Applications. Any holder of a Class A License
shall be eligible to receive a Salvage Vehicle Repair License by
checking a box on their initial or renewal Class A License
application, or by submitting at any time a Salvage Vehicle Repair
License application, and by paying an additional non-refundable fee
of $300 per year (totaling $900 for a three (3) year license).
C. Class B Licensee Salvage
Vehicle Repair License Applications. Any holder of a Class B License
that satisfies the one in two technician certification requirement
set forth in § 2.12(C) of this Part, may also apply to obtain a
Salvage Vehicle Repair License by checking a box on their initial or
renewal Class B License application, or by submitting at any time a
Salvage Vehicle Repair License application and paying an additional
non-refundable fee of $300 per year (totaling $900 for a three (3)
year license).
D. Special Use Licensee
Salvage Vehicle Repair License Applications. Any holder of a Special
Use License may petition the Department for a determination of what
requirements they will need to be eligible to be granted a Salvage
Vehicle Repair License. The Department may, in its discretion, seek
advice from the Auto Collision Repair Licensing Advisory Board to
formulate the requirements for such a Salvage Vehicle Repair License.
The non-refundable fee for such a license is an additional $300 per
year (totaling $900 for a three (3) year license).
E. Resale of Repaired Salvage
Vehicles. No Person shall sell or offer to sell any Salvage Vehicle
repaired by a Licensee without first having such vehicle issued a
certificate of inspection in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws §
31-38-1 et seq . The provisions of this Part are in addition to
any and all other provisions of law concerning the rebuilding and
sale of Salvage Vehicles.
F. Certificate of Salvage
Repair Forms. Each Licensed Salvage Vehicle Repairer will be given
assigned numbered Certificate of Salvage Repair forms. Failure to
supervise and control the Certificate of Salvage Repair forms in
conformance with this Part may result in the suspension or revocation
of the License.
2.12 Technician Certification
A. Technician Certifications
are required for all of the following categories:
1. Identification and Analysis
of Damage to Vehicles;
2. Frame Measuring and
Straightening Systems and Techniques;
3. Welding in Collision
Repair;
4. Structural Steel Repairs;
5. Suspension, Steering, and
Alignment Systems;
6. Safety Restraint Systems;
and
7. Corrosion Protection.
B. CLASS A LICENSEES. Upon
submission of a new or renewal application for a Class A License
pursuant to § 2.5 of this Part, each Applicant must certify under
the penalty of perjury to the Department that all Technicians it has
in its employ are certified in each category listed in § 2.12(A) of
this Part.
C. CLASS B LICENSEES WITH A
SALVAGE VEHICLE REPAIR LICENSE. Upon submission of a new or renewal
application for a Class B License with the additional Salvage Vehicle
Repair License, pursuant to §§ 2.6 and 2.11 of this Part, each
Applicant must certify under the penalty of perjury to the Department
that for every two (2) Technicians working for the Licensee, one full
set of certifications is held by any combination of the Technicians.
Any combination of the certifications shall suffice as long as
certifications in all seven (7) categories listed in § 2.12(A) of
this Part are held in the appropriate 1 for every 2 ratio, where
fractions shall be rounded up to the next highest whole number.
1. For example: A shop with 1
or 2 Technicians would need 1 full set of certifications, either held
by a single Technician or distributed between the Technicians in any
combination. But a shop with 5 Technicians would require 3 full sets
of certifications, distributed amongst the 5 Technicians in any
combination.
D. CLASS B AND ALL OTHER MOTOR
VEHICLE BODY LICENSEES. Upon submission of a new or renewal
application for a Class B License pursuant to § 2.6 of this Part, or
any other Motor Vehicle Body License issued pursuant to §§ 2.8, 2.9
and 2.10 of this Part, each Applicant must certify under the penalty
of perjury to the Department that for every five (5) Technicians
working for the Licensee, one full set of certifications is held by
any combination of the Technicians. Any combination of the
certifications shall suffice as long as certifications in all seven
(7) categories listed in § 2.12(A) of this Part are held in the
appropriate one (1) full set for every five (5) Technician ratio,
where fractions shall be rounded up to the next highest whole number.
1. For example: A shop with
1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 Technicians would need 1 full set of certifications,
either held by one Technician or distributed between its Technicians
in any combination. But a shop with 6 Technicians would require 2
full sets of certifications, distributed amongst the 6 Technicians in
any combination.
E. Certification
Documentation. All applicable licensees must maintain a record of
certification for each Technician in its employ. Such documentation
must include the Technician’s transcript and related
certifications, and must be readily available. All Technician
certifications must be maintained and current throughout the term of
the license.
F. All ”Certification
Organizations” with respect to Technician Certifications as set
forth in § 2.12 of this Part, shall report a written description of
the certification program it offers, including subjects offered and
method of testing or evaluation, to the Auto Collision Repair
Licensing Advisory Board of the Department.
2.13 Motor Vehicle Body License
Denial, Suspension, Revocation.
A. In addition to the reasons
listed in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-38-10, the Department may deny an
application for a Motor Vehicle Body License or revoke or suspend a
Motor Vehicle Body License if it determines that an employee or
manager or owner of an Applicant or Licensee has engaged in any the
following activities:
1. Said individual has been
convicted of any criminal felony involving dishonesty, breach of
trust, forgery, embezzlement, obtaining money under false pretenses,
bribery, larceny, extortion, conspiracy to defraud, fraud, false
dealing or any similar offense(s);
2. Said individual has had a
Motor Vehicle Body License revoked or suspended or an application for
a Motor Vehicle Body License denied or any other License issued by
this State revoked or suspended or an application for such denied; or
3. Said individual has
performed work outside the scope of their License classification.
2.14 Salvage Vehicle Repair License Denial, Suspension, Revocation.
A. The Department may deny an
application for a Salvage Vehicle Repair License, or revoke or
suspend a Salvage Vehicle Repair License for any of the following
reasons:
1. Violation of any provisions
of the Acts or this Part;
2. Where an applicant has made
a materially untrue statement in the application;
3. On proof of unfitness of an
Applicant to conduct the Business of Salvage Vehicle Repairing;
4. Defrauding any customer;
5. Refusal to surrender any
Motor Vehicle to the owner thereof upon tender of payment of the
proper charges for towing and work done on the vehicle;
6. Having indulged in any
unconscionable practice relating to the Business of Salvage Vehicle
Repairer;
7. Willful failure to perform
work contracted for;
8. Failure to comply with the
safety standards of the industry;
9. Failure to have or maintain
a Full Collision Repair License (Class A, Class B or Special Use
only);
10. Failure to maintain any of
the requirements to obtain a Salvage Vehicle Repair License,
identified in § 2.11 of this Part; or
11. Any misuse of a
Certificate of Salvage Repair.
2.15 Reinspection
A. In accordance with the
provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws § 27-10.1-9, upon written or verbal
request by an insurance company to reinspect a Motor Vehicle, the
Licensee shall allow representatives of the insurance company to
reinspect the Motor Vehicle after the Motor Vehicle Body Work has
been completed.
B. After receipt of a request
from an insurance company to reinspect a Motor Vehicle, the Licensee
shall inform the insurance company representative who requested
reinspection when the Motor Vehicle Body Work has been completed and
shall make the Motor Vehicle available for reinspection no later than
the following business day unless the insurance company
representative agrees to another time. Licensees may charge a fee up
to forty-two dollars and ninety cents ($42.90) per hour during the
calendar year 2011 (to commence after the effective date of this
regulation) for the use of testing equipment, if such testing
equipment is necessary to perform the reinspection. This fee shall
be automatically increased each successive calendar year by three
percent (3%) unless a review by the Department of the Consumer Price
Index issued by the U.S. Department of Labor (CPI) on calendar year
basis indicates a negative or positive change of one percent (1%)
from the prior year's CPI.
2.16 Miscellaneous
A. Change of
Address/Application Information. Written notice shall be given to
the Department by each Licensee within fourteen (14) days of any
change in mailing address, or any other change in any information
reported on the most recent application, including employees.
B. Change of Business
Location. Any Licensee changing its business address must submit a
transfer application to the Department and provide new evidence of
all applicable requirements set forth in § 2.4 of this Part,
specifically including the space, zoning, health, fire, safety and
welfare requirements, a new Certificate of Insurance and possible a
new EPA number.
C. Change in Ownership or
Management. A Motor Vehicle Body or Salvage Vehicle Repair License
shall be granted only to the Applicant and shall not inure to the
benefit of any other party. The Motor Vehicle Body License and
Salvage Vehicle Repair License are not subject to transfer,
assignment or leasing to another Person without prior application to,
and approval from the Department.
D. Licensee Ceases Operations.
When a Licensee ceases operating the Business of Motor Vehicle Body
Work or Business of Salvage Vehicle Repairing, the Licensee must
return the original License to the Department within fifteen (15)
days thereof. Such return of the license shall not affect the
Licensee’s civil or criminal liability for acts committed prior to
the surrender thereof.
E. After Market Parts on Newer
Vehicles. Licensees shall not use after-market parts in Motor
Vehicle Body Work on any Motor Vehicle less than thirty (30) months
beyond the date of manufacture without the written consent of the
Person who owns the Motor Vehicle in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws §
27-10.2-1 et seq .
F. Consumer’s Right to
Choose. In accordance with the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws §
5-38-30, every Licensee must post a sign in a conspicuous location in
boldfaced typed letters at least two (2) inches high that states:
PURSUANT TO RHODE ISLAND LAW,
THE CONSUMER HAS THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE THE REPAIR FACILITY TO COMPLETE
REPAIRS TO A MOTOR VEHICLE; AND AN INSURANCE COMPANY MAY NOT
INTERFERE WITH THE CONSUMER'S CHOICE OF REPAIRER.
2.17 Records of Transactions to be
Maintained
A. All Licensees must maintain
at a minimum the following information in its records for each motor
vehicle repaired for a two (2) year period:
1. Consumer’s name;
2. Consumer’s address;
3. Vehicle make, model and
year;
4. Vehicle VIN (Vehicle
Identification Number);
5. Written authorization from
the consumer to repair the vehicle;
6. All invoices and receipts
in connection with the repairs made; and
7. The final repair bill which
contains itemized listings of manufactured parts, used parts and
generic parts used in the repair.
B. All records kept in
accordance with this regulation must be maintained at the address at
which the premises is Licensed and available for inspection during
regular business hours.
C. CLASS A LICENSEES ONLY.
For at least five (5) years, Class A Licensees shall also maintain
the information identified in § 2.17(A) of this Part and whatever
additional information is necessary to identify what work they
performed on the vehicle as a part of their lifetime warranty on
repairs that is valid against workmanship defects.
2.18 Complaints/Hearing
A. Complaints. All complaints
from consumers or law enforcement officials against Licensees or
other Persons for violations of this Regulation or the Acts may be
investigated by the Department. In furtherance thereof, the
Department may notify the Licensee or Person in writing of the
Department's receipt of the complaint, enclosing a copy thereof. The
Licensee or Person shall within ten (10) days from the date of the
Department's letter to the Licensee file with the Department a
written answer to the complaint. The Department may submit a copy
thereof to the complainant for further response, if necessary. Upon
receipt of the response, the Department may then evaluate the
complaint and response thereto and handle the matter in compliance
with the Department's applicable procedures and regulations for such
matters. The Department may, upon its own motion, with or without a
complaint, notice a hearing for the purposes of further investigating
whether to sanction a Licensee or other Person.
B. Hearings. The notice for
and conduct of any hearings held pursuant to this Regulation or the
Acts shall be governed by the applicable provisions of the Acts, the
Department's Rules of Procedure for Administrative Hearings, Part
10-00-2 of this Title, and the Administrative Procedures Act, R.I.
Gen. Laws § 42-35-1 et seq .
2.19 Penalties for Violations
Any Licensee or other Person
who fails to comply with the provisions of this Part or the
provisions of the Acts may be subject to any of the penalties,
administrative, civil and criminal, as outlined in the Acts.
2.20 Severability
If this Regulation or the
application thereof to any Person or circumstance is held to be
invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or
application of this Regulation which can be given effect without the
invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions are
declared to be severable.