Nevada lawmakers are advancing Senate Bill 80, which seeks to strengthen penalties against unlicensed and illegal auto body shops that pose risks to unsuspecting vehicle owners.
Currently, operating an unlicensed repair shop in Nevada is considered a misdemeanor offense, punishable by citation and a fine. However, enforcement officials say these penalties are insufficient to deter illegal operations that can lead to serious consumer harm, including vehicle theft.
“If you’re running an illegal business … a misdemeanor citation may not deter you from stopping,” said JD Decker, chief of the Nevada DMV’s Compliance Enforcement Division, in a statement. “You’re still generally going to be making more money than it’s going to cost you in fines.”
The proposed legislation would not only increase fines for violators but could also result in jail time for shop owners found operating without proper DMV licensure.
The issue came into focus after Las Vegas resident Paul Chosy took his 2002 Chevy Blazer to a shop recommended by a friend, only to discover months later that his vehicle had been stolen from the lot. The shop owner, operating without proper licensure or insurance, claimed no responsibility for the loss.
“It was from a super high to a super low in one phone call,” Chosy recalled. “Never take your car to a shop that is not licensed … Family friend or not, don’t ever trust that.”
According to Decker, unlicensed shops may carry a generic business license from the city or county, but not the required DMV authorization, which also means they likely lack insurance and regulatory oversight. “We’ve seen vehicles disappear. We’ve seen them be parted out or literally sold to third parties,” he said.
The DMV urges consumers to verify shop licensure through the agency’s website before handing over their vehicle. The site provides a list of all properly licensed auto body shops, garages and dealerships in the state and offers a portal to file complaints.
While the DMV can take administrative action against licensed facilities, recovering losses from unlicensed shops is significantly more difficult. “There’s no guarantee that the vehicle is going to be returned or it will be returned in the same condition,” Decker said.
Senate Bill 80 aims to change that by creating stronger consequences for those operating outside the law and reducing the risks to Nevada car owners.
