1. Labor Commissioner's Office

Car Washing and Polishing

Registration Application

All businesses engaged in car washing and polishing in California must register.

Steps to register:

• Gather the required documents.
• Complete the required tax authorization form.
• Complete the new application or renew your existing registration online or by mail.

Exceptions to the registration requirements are in place for the following:

• Motor vehicle repair
• Charitable, youth, service, veteran or sports group, club or association that occasionally holds car washing and polishing fundraisers.
• Licensed vehicle dealers or car rental agencies that clean their vehicles as part of their business practices
• Self-service or automated car wash businesses that only have employees at the cash register or maintaining the equipment

Fees

Car wash and polishing businesses must pay $300 per location for annual registration and assessment fees. The fees are due when you submit your application. If you are mailing your application, please include a cashier’s check or money order payable to DLSE.   

Posting Requirements:

Car washing and polishing businesses must post their current, valid registration where it can be easily read by the employees during the workday.

Record Keeping Requirements:

• Pursuant to Labor Code section 2052, every employer must keep accurate records for three (3) years showing all of the following:

  • The names and addresses of all employees engaged in rendering actual services for any business of the employer
  • The hours worked daily by each employee, including the times the employee begins and ends each work period
  • All gratuities received daily by the employers, whether received directly from the employee or indirectly by deduction from the wages of the employee or otherwise
  • The wage and wage rate paid each payroll period
  • The age of all minor employees
  • Any other conditions of employment

Resources

• Verify a car washing and polishing business registration using the registration search tool
• Check list of license denials, revocations, or suspensions
• Rules and Regulations

Contact Us

April 2020