A gym for your car.
GaragePass is a DIY auto shop for the whole Bay Area where anyone can rent a car lift, tools included. Bring your car and your parts. We’ve got the lifts, the tools, and helpful staff on hand to guide you.
From sign-up to wrenching
- STEP 01Get hoursBecome a member: every membership comes with lift hours baked in. Most members start with General at 6 hours a month, and Platinum goes up to 100. Not a member yet? Try a day pass first. Compare memberships
- STEP 02Use hoursLog in to reserve lift time right on this site at least 12 hours ahead, and it comes out of your hours. Hours you don’t use roll over and never expire. Book a lift
- STEP 03Show up and wrenchEvery booking includes the tools, fluid disposal, and staff to help when you get stuck.
We’re here to help!
Every appointment comes with staff on hand to help and give advice when you get stuck, whether it’s a seized bolt or a job you’ve never done before.
“I recently became a member at Garage Pass after attending one of their Ladies Under the Hood workshops, and I’m so glad I did. … Garage Pass is so much more than a DIY garage—it’s a place where learning feels welcome.”
“Incredibly kind and helpful staff! Not only did they accommodate me when i made a booking error, they also provided assistance to help me finish my job during the time slots i rented.”
“It was great meeting Alan and Abe — both were super friendly, helpful, and genuinely passionate about cars. They made the whole process feel relaxed and welcoming.”
If you can wrench it, you can do it here.
Members do everything from their first oil change to their 20th engine swap.
What’s in the shop
Questions
Where are you located?
950 77th Ave, Oakland, CA — right off 880, at the back of the long alleyway. First shop of hopefully many: San Jose is coming in Q4 2026–Q1 2027. We serve the whole SF Bay Area and have members coming from as far as Monterey and Santa Rosa.
What does a membership include?
- Lift access: book your lift time on our website. Your booking, your lift.
- Community: free monthly events, our members’ Discord, and the members’ lounge up in the loft.
- Tools: everything from basic hand tools to engine hoists, transmission jacks and a smoke machine.
- Fluid removal + metal recycling: drain your fluids into our containers and we handle the rest.
- Member perks: AutoZone pro pricing, a free first detail, discounted towing and more. See perks
Optional monthly add-ons: long-term parking, storage lockers and sheds from $16/mo, and monthly washes and detailing.
Do you provide tools, or do I bring my own?
We provide pretty much everything you’ll need: lifts, impact guns, sockets, and a solid selection of hand tools and shop equipment. Got tools you trust? Bring ’em. Specialty tools for your specific job (that one weird Saab socket), bring those too. And yes, the 10mm sockets are accounted for. Mostly.
What kinds of work can I do at GaragePass?
Anything. If you can wrench it, you can do it here: oil changes, brake jobs, suspension, lift kits, wheel bearings, exhaust, and the big stuff like transmission and engine swaps. Members are doing everything from routine maintenance to classic restorations and motorcycle builds. See the jobs members do most →
How do I reserve a lift? What if everything’s booked?
Everything runs through our website: you use your hour credits to reserve lift time at least 12 hours ahead, and nobody else can book your slot. We cap total membership based on capacity. If we’re near capacity, we start a waitlist rather than overselling. Check availability
Do I need experience? What if I’ve never used a lift before?
Nope, zero experience required. Before your first lift session you’ll complete our free lift safety training: waivers and a hands-on walkthrough with us in person. Once you’re wrenching, you’re never on your own: we have on-site mechanics who can give advice, and the person two bays over will happily walk you through your first brake job.
What if I get stuck or a job takes longer than expected?
- Book longer than you think you need. We refund unused hours if you finish early.
- Ask. Between staff and the community, someone’s solved your problem before.
- We limit capacity on purpose, so there’s slack in the schedule when life happens.
- Overflow parking outside if your car needs to come off the lift while you wait on parts.
I’m a professional. Can I run my business out of GaragePass?
Yes, with conditions. Pro members need their own business branding and insurance, and the setup works best for quicker jobs (brakes, suspension, lift kits) with non-runners stored elsewhere. See bay rental for mechanics →
What if I don’t like GaragePass?
Tell us. We’d rather fix it than lose you. We’re not a big corporation, just a bunch of car people trying to make an awesome space. And you can cancel anytime: no contracts, no hoops.
What areas does GaragePass serve?
Members come from San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, and the greater Bay Area.
How much does it cost to rent a car lift in the Bay Area?
Lift time runs $15–30 an hour with a membership. Most members start with General at $150/month for 6 hours, and memberships go up to $1,500/month for 100 hours. Without a membership, a day pass punch card is $50 an hour. Tools, used-fluid disposal and safety training are included. Prices are before a $10 processing fee. Compare memberships
Is there a DIY garage near San Francisco?
Yes. We’re just across the Bay Bridge, about 20 to 30 minutes from downtown SF by car and about a 10-minute walk from Coliseum BART. Plenty of our members live in the city. How SF members do it →
Can I rent a lift without a membership?
Yes. Day pass punch cards come in 2, 5 or 10 hours at $50 an hour. If you’ll be back, a membership gets you the same hours for a lot less. Buy a day pass →
Can I rent a motorcycle lift?
Yes. Our motorcycle lifts book just like a car lift, and monthly motorcycle storage is $150/mo. Motorcycle lift rental →
Can I just walk in?
No, visits are by appointment only. Lifts are bookable 9am–9pm daily. Book a lift or a free tour before you come by.
Come see the shop
950 77th Ave, Oakland, CA 94621. At the back of the long alleyway, right off I-880.
Free tours: weekdays at 6 PM, Saturday & Sunday at 12 PM and 4 PM. No pressure, no commitment.