Short answer
Sign PDF lets an independent repair shop send a written estimate or repair order for the vehicle owner to sign on their phone, and send a revised estimate when the technician finds more work on the lift. The sealed PDF shows who approved what and when, which is what several US states expect before work starts.
Updated 25 October 2026
What the law expects from a repair authorization
Rules on repair estimates are set state by state in the US, and they are specific. California's Bureau of Automotive Repair requires a written estimate describing the job and the price for parts and labor, and the customer's authorization before work begins; extra work needs its own documented authorization. Maryland says the final bill generally cannot exceed the written estimate by more than 10 per cent without consent. Washington, D.C. requires a written estimate and written authorization unless the customer waives it.
Check your own state's consumer protection or automotive repair rules and build their wording into your form. This page is not legal advice.
Approving extra work while the car is on the lift
The technician pulls the wheel and finds a leaking caliper. The customer is at work. You call, they say yes, and later they say they never agreed. A revised estimate sent through Sign PDF ends that: they open the link, confirm the six-digit code, and sign. The certificate records the time to the second.
Some states accept documented oral approval, and many shops still phone first. Sending the signed revision afterwards gives you both.
When shop software already does this
If your shop management system already sends digital inspections and estimate approvals, keep using it. Sign PDF suits independent garages working from PDF or paper repair orders, mobile mechanics, and shops that need a signature on something their system does not produce, such as a storage agreement, a fleet service contract or a release for a vehicle left after the work is done.
A photo of a handwritten repair order works too. Upload it and we place the boxes.
Plans for a busy shop
A shop sending repair orders on every job needs Full at $10 a month, which is unlimited and includes templates and automatic reminders. A mobile mechanic who only needs signatures on larger jobs may manage on Light at $5 for 2 documents a month.
We do not take payment, track parts, or hold vehicle history. Signers need an email address; we do not send text messages.
Questions people ask
Can the customer sign the repair order at the front counter?
Yes. They can sign on their own phone or on a counter tablet, after confirming a code sent to their email.
Can I add a checkbox for returning old parts?
Yes. Checkboxes are one of the field types. Type 'add a checkbox for return of old parts' in the editor and position it where you want.
Does a signed estimate protect me if the bill goes over?
It shows what the customer approved and when. Whether you can charge more depends on your state's rules, which often require new authorization above a set amount.
Can a fleet manager approve work for several vehicles?
Yes. Send each repair order to the fleet manager's email, or put several vehicles on one document if that is how you work.
Send your next repair order and authorization for signature
Upload it from your phone or laptop. The boxes go in the right places, your client signs on their phone, and you get a sealed copy back.
Upload a document