Class Code 8388
Rubber Tire Dealers
Class Code 8388 applies to businesses that sell, mount, balance and repair rubber tires for passenger vehicles and light trucks. California employers in this class should note the September 1, 2026 approved pure premium rate of $3.922 per $100 of payroll — a baseline that influences workers' comp costs.
What Class Code 8388 Covers
This classification covers retail tire dealers and shop operations whose primary work is selling tires and performing tire services: demounting/mounting, balancing, patching/plugging, valve replacement and routine wheel work. It includes both fixed-location shops and mobile service units whose main business is tire sales and on-site tire change/repair. Use of tire changers, wheel balancers, hydraulic lifts, impact wrenches, compressed air and bead breakers are central operations. Activities that go beyond retail/service — such as tire manufacturing, retreading/recapping or heavy off‑road tire rebuilds — are typically classified differently and should be reported separately.
Who It Applies To
- Independent retail tire shops that sell and install passenger and light-truck tires
- National tire retail chains with storefront service bays
- Auto dealerships' tire and wheel service departments (if primary work is tire sales/installation)
- Mobile tire service fleets that perform on-site tire changes for passenger vehicles
- Counter sales staff, service writers and technicians employed by tire dealers
Common Job Duties
- Mounting and demounting tires with tire changers and bead breakers
- Balancing wheels on static or dynamic wheel balancers
- Patching, plugging and repairing punctures and cuts
- Removing and installing wheels using impact wrenches and torque tools
- Inflating tires safely using gauges, hoses and inflation cages when required
- Handling inventory — moving, stacking and staging tires and wheels in the shop or warehouse
- Operating vehicle lifts and performing basic wheel-related inspections
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $3.922 Rate
The pure premium rate of $3.922 per $100 of payroll is the insurer's base cost for expected claim losses for Class 8388 before policy adjustments. To estimate pure premium on $100,000 payroll: (100,000 ÷ 100) × 3.922 = $3,922. The final premium on a policy will vary with your company’s experience modification, schedule or merit credits, deductible programs, state assessments, and the result of payroll classification audits.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Tire dealers must follow Cal/OSHA General Industry requirements including a written Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) and Hazard Communication for solvents and lubricants. Employers should implement safe tire inflation practices (use of restraints/inflation cages and clip-on chucks), machine guarding for tire changers and balancers, lockout/tagout for powered equipment, respiratory protection when dusts or solvents are present, and a hearing conservation program if noise exceeds action levels. Documentation of employee training and equipment inspection records is required.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 8388
A PEO like Key HR helps tire dealers by consolidating payroll and workers' comp administration, providing claims management and rapid return-to-work coordination, and delivering tailored loss-control resources — training on safe tire inflation, manual handling aids, and shop ergonomics. Key HR can also assist with classification accuracy, payroll audits, and programs that reduce experience modification and lower long-term premium.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Are mobile tire service technicians covered under Class Code 8388?
Yes — mobile tire technicians whose primary business is selling, mounting or repairing passenger and light-truck tires are generally classified under 8388. Accurate payroll allocation and documentation of on-site activities are important for audits and correct premium calculation.
If my shop retreads tires or manufactures rubber components, is 8388 still correct?
No — retreading, recapping, or tire manufacturing are separate operations with different class codes. If your business performs retreading in addition to retail sales, those payrolls should be segregated and reported under the appropriate manufacturing/retreading classification.
What practical steps reduce workers' comp costs for a tire dealership?
Focus on prevention: enforce safe inflation procedures (use cages and clip-on chucks), provide mechanical lifting aids and training to reduce strains, maintain equipment guards and lift inspections, implement a formal return-to-work program, and report claims promptly. Partnering with a PEO for proactive claims management and safety program implementation can accelerate experience-mod improvement.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 8388
- Classification
- Rubber Tire Dealers
- Pure Premium Rate
- $3.922 / $100 payroll
- Effective Date
- September 1, 2026
- Source
- WCIRB Approved Filing
Manage Workers' Comp Through a PEO
Key HR provides pay-as-you-go workers' comp for California employers — no large deposits, no audits, better rates.
Get a Quoteor call (800) 922-4133Ready to Simplify Workers' Comp for Class Code 8388?
Key HR provides California employers with pay-as-you-go workers' comp, HR compliance support, and payroll — all through one PEO partnership.