CA SB778

Recasts existing automotive repair law as the Automotive Repair and Maintenance Act and establishes registration and regulation of automotive maintenance providers (businesses performing preventive maintenance like fluid and filter changes) similar to automotive repair dealers.

Requires automotive repair dealers and maintenance providers performing oil changes to follow the vehicle manufacturer's published oil drain schedule and provide written explanation on the invoice if recommending a different interval.

Mandates that service invoices detail all work performed and parts supplied separately, with copies provided to customers and retained by the provider for at least three years.

Requires the Bureau of Automotive Repair to design and post a sign at all provider locations with contact information for customer inquiries and prohibits facilities from registering as both repair dealers and maintenance providers simultaneously.

Allows the Department of Consumer Affairs to purchase vehicles of various conditions for enforcement investigations and exempts those vehicles from standard state procurement laws and public disclosure requirements.