{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-644.02.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-644.02.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-644.02.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-644.02.html"}],"law_id":78093,"edition_id":1,"section_id":78093,"structure_id":12956,"section_number":"46.2-644.02","catch_line":"Lien of mechanic for repairs","history":"2009, c. 664; 2016, c. 397; 2019, c. 561; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 374.","full_text":"A\n\nEvery mechanic who shall alter or repair any vehicle at the request of the owner or authorized person in possession of such vehicle shall have a lien thereon for his just and reasonable charges therefor and may retain possession of such property until such charges are paid. Such lien shall be in addition to any lien under § 46.2-644.01.B\n\nNo lien under this section shall exceed $1,000 for any vehicle for which the title shows an existing lien. However, the mechanic shall be entitled to a lien against the proceeds, if any, remaining after the satisfaction of all prior security interests or liens.\n\t\t\tFor any vehicle not subject to an existing lien on the title, no lien under this section, alone or in combination with a lien under § 46.2-644.01, shall exceed the value of the vehicle as determined by the provisions of § 8.01-419.1.C\n\nThe mechanic or his authorized agent shall ascertain from the Department whether the certificate of title for the vehicle shows a lien thereon in accordance with the provisions of § 46.2-644.03 within seven business days after the due date of an invoice for the amount due for the alteration or repair. The mechanic may then enforce his lien under the provisions of § 46.2-644.03 after such invoice goes unpaid for 10 days after it is due or relinquish his lien under the provisions of § 46.2-644.04.D\n\nIf the owner of the vehicle held by the mechanic shall desire to obtain possession thereof, he shall make the mechanic defendant in proceeding in the county or municipal court to recover the vehicle.\n\t\t\tThe owner may give a bond payable to the court, in a penalty of the amount equal to the lien claimed by the mechanic and court costs, with security to be approved by the clerk, and conditioned for the performance of the final judgment of the court on the trial of the proceeding, and with a further condition to the effect that, if upon the hearing, the judgment of the court be that the lien of the mechanic on such vehicle, or any part thereof, be enforced, judgment may thereupon be entered against the obligors on such bond for the amount due the mechanic and court costs, if assessed against the owner, without further or other proceedings against them thereon. Upon giving of the bond, the vehicle shall be delivered to the owner.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":279971,"text":"Every mechanic who shall alter or repair any vehicle at the request of the owner or authorized person in possession of such vehicle shall have a lien thereon for his just and reasonable charges therefor and may retain possession of such property until such charges are paid. Such lien shall be in addition to any lien under § 46.2-644.01.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":279972,"text":"No lien under this section shall exceed $1,000 for any vehicle for which the title shows an existing lien. However, the mechanic shall be entitled to a lien against the proceeds, if any, remaining after the satisfaction of all prior security interests or liens.\n\t\t\tFor any vehicle not subject to an existing lien on the title, no lien under this section, alone or in combination with a lien under § 46.2-644.01, shall exceed the value of the vehicle as determined by the provisions of § 8.01-419.1.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":279973,"text":"The mechanic or his authorized agent shall ascertain from the Department whether the certificate of title for the vehicle shows a lien thereon in accordance with the provisions of § 46.2-644.03 within seven business days after the due date of an invoice for the amount due for the alteration or repair. The mechanic may then enforce his lien under the provisions of § 46.2-644.03 after such invoice goes unpaid for 10 days after it is due or relinquish his lien under the provisions of § 46.2-644.04.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":279974,"text":"If the owner of the vehicle held by the mechanic shall desire to obtain possession thereof, he shall make the mechanic defendant in proceeding in the county or municipal court to recover the vehicle.\n\t\t\tThe owner may give a bond payable to the court, in a penalty of the amount equal to the lien claimed by the mechanic and court costs, with security to be approved by the clerk, and conditioned for the performance of the final judgment of the court on the trial of the proceeding, and with a further condition to the effect that, if upon the hearing, the judgment of the court be that the lien of the mechanic on such vehicle, or any part thereof, be enforced, judgment may thereupon be entered against the obligors on such bond for the amount due the mechanic and court costs, if assessed against the owner, without further or other proceedings against them thereon. Upon giving of the bond, the vehicle shall be delivered to the owner.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":12956,"edition_id":1,"name":"Titling Vehicles","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12879,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:04","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:04","permalink":{"id":227953,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12956,"identifier":"2","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2","url":"\/46.2\/II\/6\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12879,"edition_id":1,"name":"Titling and Registration of Motor Vehicles","identifier":"6","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12771,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","permalink":{"id":226923,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12879,"identifier":"6","token":"46.2\/II\/6","url":"\/46.2\/II\/6\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12771,"edition_id":1,"name":"Titling, Registration and Licensure","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12770,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":225627,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12771,"identifier":"II","token":"46.2\/II","url":"\/46.2\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12770,"edition_id":1,"name":"Motor Vehicles","identifier":"46.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":225289,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12770,"identifier":"46.2","token":"46.2","url":"\/46.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":83979,"structure_id":12956,"section_number":"46.2-616","catch_line":"Acquiring vehicle from vendor who does not have certificate of title","url":"\/46.2-616\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2\/46.2-616","metadata":false},{"id":86372,"structure_id":12956,"section_number":"46.2-617","catch_line":"Sale of vehicle without certificate of title","url":"\/46.2-617\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2\/46.2-617","metadata":false},{"id":60178,"structure_id":12956,"section_number":"46.2-618","catch_line":"When unlawful to have in possession certificate of title issued to another; remedy of purchaser against persons in possession of title of vehicle purchased from dealer","url":"\/46.2-618\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2\/46.2-618","metadata":false},{"id":72463,"structure_id":12956,"section_number":"46.2-619","catch_line":"New indicia of title; procedure as to leased vehicles","url":"\/46.2-619\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2\/46.2-619","metadata":false},{"id":59012,"structure_id":12956,"section_number":"46.2-620","catch_line":"Period of validity of certificate of title","url":"\/46.2-620\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2\/46.2-620","metadata":false},{"id":79969,"structure_id":12956,"section_number":"46.2-621","catch_line":"Application for certificate of title","url":"\/46.2-621\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2\/46.2-621","metadata":false},{"id":65083,"structure_id":12956,"section_number":"46.2-621.1","catch_line":"Correcting errors in titling","url":"\/46.2-621.1\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2\/46.2-621.1","metadata":false},{"id":61253,"structure_id":12956,"section_number":"46.2-622","catch_line":"Issuance of certificate of title in names of joint owners","url":"\/46.2-622\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2\/46.2-622","metadata":false},{"id":74428,"structure_id":12956,"section_number":"46.2-623","catch_line":"Statements in application","url":"\/46.2-623\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2\/46.2-623","metadata":false},{"id":67974,"structure_id":12956,"section_number":"46.2-624","catch_line":"Information required on vehicles damaged by water","url":"\/46.2-624\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2\/46.2-624","metadata":false},{"id":69007,"structure_id":12956,"section_number":"46.2-625","catch_line":"Specially constructed, reconstructed, replica, converted electric, or foreign vehicles","url":"\/46.2-625\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2\/46.2-625","metadata":false},{"id":64146,"structure_id":12956,"section_number":"46.2-626","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/46.2-626\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2\/46.2-626","metadata":false},{"id":75060,"structure_id":12956,"section_number":"46.2-626.1","catch_line":"Motorcycle purchased by manufacturer for parts; documentation required for sale of parts","url":"\/46.2-626.1\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2\/46.2-626.1","metadata":false},{"id":85078,"structure_id":12956,"section_number":"46.2-627","catch_line":"Fee for certificate of title; use in special fund","url":"\/46.2-627\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2\/46.2-627","metadata":false},{"id":71729,"structure_id":12956,"section_number":"46.2-628","catch_line":"How certificate of title transferred","url":"\/46.2-628\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2\/46.2-628","metadata":false},{"id":69663,"structure_id":12956,"section_number":"46.2-629","catch_line":"Odometer reading to be reported on certificate of title, application, or power of attorney","url":"\/46.2-629\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2\/46.2-629","metadata":false},{"id":56148,"structure_id":12956,"section_number":"46.2-630","catch_line":"Transfer and application for certificate of title forwarded to Department","url":"\/46.2-630\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2\/46.2-630","metadata":false},{"id":62224,"structure_id":12956,"section_number":"46.2-631","catch_line":"When transferred certificate of title need not be forwarded","url":"\/46.2-631\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2\/46.2-631","metadata":false},{"id":66534,"structure_id":12956,"section_number":"46.2-631.1","catch_line":"Electronic sales by dealers; 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securing new title certificates","url":"\/46.2-635\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2\/46.2-635","metadata":false},{"id":86490,"structure_id":12956,"section_number":"46.2-636","catch_line":"Certificate to show security interests","url":"\/46.2-636\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2\/46.2-636","metadata":false},{"id":60463,"structure_id":12956,"section_number":"46.2-636.1","catch_line":"Security interests in farm tractors and special construction and forestry equipment","url":"\/46.2-636.1\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2\/46.2-636.1","metadata":false},{"id":55770,"structure_id":12956,"section_number":"46.2-637","catch_line":"Security interests subsequently created","url":"\/46.2-637\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2\/46.2-637","metadata":false},{"id":59161,"structure_id":12956,"section_number":"46.2-638","catch_line":"Certificate as notice of security interest","url":"\/46.2-638\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2\/46.2-638","metadata":false},{"id":64135,"structure_id":12956,"section_number":"46.2-639","catch_line":"Security interest may be filed within thirty days after purchase","url":"\/46.2-639\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2\/46.2-639","metadata":false},{"id":66722,"structure_id":12956,"section_number":"46.2-640","catch_line":"Priority of security interests shown on certificates of title","url":"\/46.2-640\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2\/46.2-640","metadata":false},{"id":85614,"structure_id":12956,"section_number":"46.2-640.1","catch_line":"Vehicle leases that are not sales or security interests","url":"\/46.2-640.1\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2\/46.2-640.1","metadata":false},{"id":78295,"structure_id":12956,"section_number":"46.2-641","catch_line":"Who to hold certificate of title subject to security interest","url":"\/46.2-641\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2\/46.2-641","metadata":false},{"id":61531,"structure_id":12956,"section_number":"46.2-642","catch_line":"Release of security interest shown on certificate of title","url":"\/46.2-642\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2\/46.2-642","metadata":false},{"id":54050,"structure_id":12956,"section_number":"46.2-643","catch_line":"Surrender of certificate of title required when security interest paid","url":"\/46.2-643\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2\/46.2-643","metadata":false},{"id":82679,"structure_id":12956,"section_number":"46.2-644","catch_line":"Levy of execution","url":"\/46.2-644\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2\/46.2-644","metadata":false},{"id":71754,"structure_id":12956,"section_number":"46.2-644.01","catch_line":"Lien of keeper of vehicles","url":"\/46.2-644.01\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2\/46.2-644.01","metadata":false},{"id":78093,"structure_id":12956,"section_number":"46.2-644.02","catch_line":"Lien of mechanic for repairs","url":"\/46.2-644.02\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2\/46.2-644.02","metadata":false},{"id":56129,"structure_id":12956,"section_number":"46.2-644.03","catch_line":"Enforcement of liens acquired under \u00a7\u00a7 46.2-644.01 and 46.2-644.02","url":"\/46.2-644.03\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2\/46.2-644.03","metadata":false},{"id":67489,"structure_id":12956,"section_number":"46.2-644.04","catch_line":"Relinquishment of liens acquired under \u00a7\u00a7 46.2-644.01 and 46.2-644.02","url":"\/46.2-644.04\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2\/46.2-644.04","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":71754,"structure_id":12956,"section_number":"46.2-644.01","catch_line":"Lien of keeper of vehicles","url":"\/46.2-644.01\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2\/46.2-644.01","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":56129,"structure_id":12956,"section_number":"46.2-644.03","catch_line":"Enforcement of liens acquired under \u00a7\u00a7 46.2-644.01 and 46.2-644.02","url":"\/46.2-644.03\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2\/46.2-644.03","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-644.02\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2009. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 664<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2016, chapter 397<\/a>; in 2019, chapter 561<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":78241,"section_number":"18.2-189","catch_line":"Defrauding keeper of motor vehicles or watercraft","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-189\/"},{"id":66722,"section_number":"46.2-640","catch_line":"Priority of security interests shown on certificates of title","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-640\/"},{"id":71754,"section_number":"46.2-644.01","catch_line":"Lien of keeper of vehicles","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-644.01\/"},{"id":56129,"section_number":"46.2-644.03","catch_line":"Enforcement of liens acquired under \u00a7\u00a7 46.2-644.01 and 46.2-644.02","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-644.03\/"},{"id":67489,"section_number":"46.2-644.04","catch_line":"Relinquishment of liens acquired under \u00a7\u00a7 46.2-644.01 and 46.2-644.02","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-644.04\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":71754,"section_number":"46.2-644.01","catch_line":"Lien of keeper of vehicles","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-644.01\/"},{"id":56129,"section_number":"46.2-644.03","catch_line":"Enforcement of liens acquired under \u00a7\u00a7 46.2-644.01 and 46.2-644.02","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-644.03\/"}],"permalink":{"id":228103,"object_type":"law","relational_id":78093,"identifier":"46.2-644.02","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2\/46.2-644.02","url":"\/46.2-644.02\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-644.02\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/2\/46.2-644.02","dublin_core":{"Title":"Lien of mechanic for repairs","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-644.02","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Every mechanic who shall alter or repair any vehicle<\/span> at the request of the owner<\/span> or authorized person in possession<\/span> of such vehicle<\/span> shall have a lien<\/span> thereon for his just and reasonable charges therefor and may retain possession<\/span> of such property until such charges are paid. Such lien<\/span> shall be in addition to any lien<\/span> under § 46.2-644.01<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> No lien<\/span> under this section shall exceed $1,000 for any vehicle<\/span> for which the title shows an existing lien<\/span>. However, the mechanic shall be entitled to a lien<\/span> against the proceeds, if any, remaining after the satisfaction of all prior security interests or liens<\/span>.\n\t\t\tFor any vehicle<\/span> not subject to an existing lien<\/span> on the title, no lien<\/span> under this section, alone or in combination with a lien<\/span> under § 46.2-644.01<\/a>, shall exceed the value of the vehicle<\/span> as determined by the provisions of § 8.01-419.1<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The mechanic or his authorized agent<\/span> shall ascertain from the Department<\/span> whether the certificate of title for the vehicle<\/span> shows a lien<\/span> thereon in accordance with the provisions of § 46.2-644.03<\/a> within seven business days after the due date of an invoice for the amount due for the alteration or repair. The mechanic may then enforce his lien<\/span> under the provisions of § 46.2-644.03<\/a> after such invoice goes unpaid for 10 days after it is due or relinquish his lien<\/span> under the provisions of § 46.2-644.04<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> If the owner<\/span> of the vehicle<\/span> held by the mechanic shall desire to obtain possession<\/span> thereof, he shall make the mechanic defendant<\/span> in proceeding in the county or municipal court<\/span> to recover the vehicle<\/span>.\n\t\t\tThe owner<\/span> may give a bond<\/span> payable to the court<\/span>, in a penalty<\/span> of the amount equal to the lien<\/span> claimed by the mechanic and court<\/span> costs, with security to be approved by the clerk, and conditioned for the performance of the final judgment<\/span> of the court<\/span> on the trial<\/span> of the proceeding, and with a further condition to the effect that, if upon the hearing<\/span>, the judgment<\/span> of the court<\/span> be that the lien<\/span> of the mechanic on such vehicle<\/span>, or any part thereof, be enforced, judgment<\/span> may thereupon be entered against the obligors on such bond<\/span> for the amount due the mechanic and court<\/span> costs, if assessed against the owner<\/span>, without further or other proceedings against them thereon. Upon giving of the bond<\/span>, the vehicle<\/span> shall be delivered to the owner<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nLIEN OF MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS (\u00a7 46.2-644.02)\n\nA. Every mechanic who shall alter or repair any vehicle at the request of the\nowner or authorized person in possession of such vehicle shall have a lien\nthereon for his just and reasonable charges therefor and may retain possession\nof such property until such charges are paid. Such lien shall be in addition to\nany lien under § 46.2-644.01.\n\nB. No lien under this section shall exceed $1,000 for any vehicle for which the\ntitle shows an existing lien. However, the mechanic shall be entitled to a lien\nagainst the proceeds, if any, remaining after the satisfaction of all prior\nsecurity interests or liens.\n\t\t\tFor any vehicle not subject to an existing lien on the title, no lien under\nthis section, alone or in combination with a lien under § 46.2-644.01,\nshall exceed the value of the vehicle as determined by the provisions of §\n8.01-419.1.\n\nC. The mechanic or his authorized agent shall ascertain from the Department\nwhether the certificate of title for the vehicle shows a lien thereon in\naccordance with the provisions of § 46.2-644.03 within seven business days\nafter the due date of an invoice for the amount due for the alteration or\nrepair. The mechanic may then enforce his lien under the provisions of §\n46.2-644.03 after such invoice goes unpaid for 10 days after it is due or\nrelinquish his lien under the provisions of § 46.2-644.04.\n\nD. If the owner of the vehicle held by the mechanic shall desire to obtain\npossession thereof, he shall make the mechanic defendant in proceeding in the\ncounty or municipal court to recover the vehicle.\n\t\t\tThe owner may give a bond payable to the court, in a penalty of the amount\nequal to the lien claimed by the mechanic and court costs, with security to be\napproved by the clerk, and conditioned for the performance of the final judgment\nof the court on the trial of the proceeding, and with a further condition to the\neffect that, if upon the hearing, the judgment of the court be that the lien of\nthe mechanic on such vehicle, or any part thereof, be enforced, judgment may\nthereupon be entered against the obligors on such bond for the amount due the\nmechanic and court costs, if assessed against the owner, without further or\nother proceedings against them thereon. Upon giving of the bond, the vehicle\nshall be delivered to the owner.\n\nHISTORY: 2009, c. 664; 2016, c. 397; 2019, c. 561; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 374.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}