Auto Mechanic School Information

An auto mechanic school can provide industry-recognized training that leads to a career with opportunities for specialization, advancement, and self-employment. Fixing cars, SUVs, and light trucks can be a reliable way to earn a living. And training at a vocational or trade school can give you a clear path to enter this fun and diverse industry.

Benefits of Attending Auto Mechanic Trade School

Greater appeal to potential employers: Completing a vocational or trade school program in automotive technology can make it a lot easier to land a good job in the industry. Since an employer won't have to train you as a complete beginner, you may be able to start your career above the entry-level, which could mean higher pay and more engaging job tasks than if you hadn't gone to school.

Higher confidence and enjoyment: An auto mechanic school can train you in the industry's latest technologies and best practices. You can practice your skills the right way and feel more comfortable learning from your mistakes. That way, when you begin your career, you'll have more trust in your abilities, contributing to greater job satisfaction.

More advancement opportunities: Auto mechanics who've completed trade school training often have more chances to move up in the industry, such as becoming shop managers or supervisors.

Length of Mechanic Training

Completing a full program at an auto mechanic trade school or vocational college commonly takes anywhere from six to 24 months. Some schools offer shorter courses in particular subjects or specialties, but they are often geared toward people who already have automotive technician training or experience to build on.

Program Options

A certificate or diploma usually takes the least amount of time to earn. In most cases, programs at this level can be completed in less than a year. The focus is strictly on helping you gain the core expertise you need. With this level of training, you can quickly enter the job market and start acquiring the two years of work experience you need to take ASE certification tests.

An associate degree can be earned with about two years of study. In addition to a comprehensive range of automotive courses, your program will probably include classes in a few general subjects like math, English, and introductory physics. Some programs also include an externship. With an associate degree, your salary potential may be higher, and it may be easier to pursue a bachelor's degree in the future. Plus, many supervisors and managers in the automotive industry have degrees. And some of the extra hands-on training you get may count toward the required experience you need for ASE exams.

Apprenticeships aren't as common in the field of automotive service as they are in other trades. However, some employers still offer them to candidates with demonstrable enthusiasm and mechanical abilities. An employer may pay for some or all of your coursework through a partnering trade school or community college, customized online program, or on-site instructional provider. An employer will also supply paid on-the-job training in exchange for your signed agreement to work for them for a minimum period of time. You can find potential opportunities through the U.S. Department of Labor.

Typical Courses

Classes vary from one auto technician school to another, but programs often cover subjects like:

• Math
• Tools and equipment
• Workplace safety
• Service operations, including:
  • Customer relations
  • Cost estimates
  • Order writing
• Internal combustion engines
• Routine maintenance
• Electronics
• Electrical systems
• Transmissions and powertrains
• Steering and suspension
• Brakes
• Engine diagnostics
• Heating and air conditioning
• Emission control systems
• Hybrid and electric vehicle (EV) systems

Skills You Can Learn

Many auto mechanic schools help students gain skills for:

• Reading technical diagrams and schematics
• Performing routine and preventive maintenance procedures such as:
  • Oil changes
  • Fluid checks, top-ups, and flushes
  • Tire rotations and wheel alignments
• Communicating with customers
• Completing service orders and other forms
• Using diagnostic equipment such as:
  • Digital code readers and scan tools
  • Infrared engine analyzers
  • Gas analyzers
  • Multimeters
  • Ohmmeters and voltmeters
  • Continuity testers
  • Oscilloscopes
• Servicing, removing, and rebuilding internal combustion engines
• Calculating engine torque, horsepower, and compression ratios
• Optimizing engine performance
• Inspecting, testing, troubleshooting, diagnosing, and repairing:
  • Drum and disc brakes
  • Manual and automatic transmissions
  • Drivetrains and transaxles
  • Steering and suspension components
  • Automotive climate control systems
  • Power seats, doors, and windows
  • Electrical circuits, wiring, and charging systems
  • Batteries and electric motors
  • Onboard computers and electronics

Licensing & Certification

Because auto mechanics often must test drive vehicles in order to identify problems, they generally need a valid driver's license. Additional requirements depend on your particular situation.

Licensing

State regulations vary when it comes to licensing automotive technicians. In some states, this vocation is unregulated. In other states, requirements can range from only needing a license for testing or working on safety or exhaust systems to needing specific licenses for almost every other type of automotive system. You may need a minimum amount of education or experience in some cases, and you may need to pass one or more tests.

The best way to find out whether your state has licensure requirements for auto mechanics is to use CareerOneStop's license finder.

You'll need to obtain a proper business license to run your own auto repair shop. Your state or local government may have additional requirements you need to meet as a business owner in this industry.

Certification

Service techs who handle refrigerants for automotive air conditioning systems must gain Section 609 certification through a school or organization approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Many trade schools include classes for this as part of their programs.

In addition, many employers and customers prefer to hire technicians certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). Although voluntary, ASE certifications are widely recognized as credentials that verify a tech's expertise in one or more areas, such as:

• Automatic or manual transmissions
• Brakes
• Electronics and electrical systems
• Engine repair or performance
• HVAC systems
• Light vehicle diesel engines
• Steering and suspension

Most ASE exams for this vocation require at least two years of work experience in an auto repair environment. However, formal education in the trade can substitute for some of the required experience. Technicians who pass multiple-choice exams in at least eight out of nine core areas (excluding diesel engines) can qualify for the Master Automobile Technician designation. ASE certification is also available for those with diesel technician training, but the tests and requirements differ.

ASE-certified mechanics often enjoy enhanced career opportunities and greater earning potential. You must get re-certified every five years.

Education & Training FAQs

How can I train to become a hybrid and electric vehicle technician?

More and more trade schools, technical institutes, community colleges, and other training providers offer automotive programs that cover hybrid and EV technologies. In many cases, schools partner with particular auto manufacturers like Volvo or Tesla to add this type of training to their existing programs as an elective component. In other cases, training providers may offer stand-alone programs that focus strictly on electric vehicles.

Tesla, the leading EV manufacturer, partners with a growing list of schools to add 12 weeks of specialized training to their automotive programs. By completing the Tesla START program, students can prepare for a technician career with the EV company.

How do you become a high-performance mechanic?

Although race cars and high-end sports cars generally operate on the same principles as other vehicles, their systems are often more complex, delicate, and expensive. That's why a specialized education tends to be the preferred path into a career in high-performance automotive technology. Some automotive trade schools offer focused training for this specialty, sometimes through an extra course of study that builds on what you learn in a general program.

After completing high-performance auto training, mechanics often look for entry-level opportunities with racing teams. You can increase your prospects by moving to a region where several teams are based. For example, many NASCAR teams are based in North Carolina. For IndyCar racing, a lot of teams are based in Indiana.

Do you need a high school diploma to become an auto mechanic?

Not necessarily. Although many employers and post-secondary schools require a high school diploma or a state-approved equivalent to become a mechanic, some don't. By passing an Ability to Benefit (ATB) test, you might qualify for admission at some trade schools, which may require that you take remedial courses in math and English. And some employers are willing to hire people as helpers or trainees who are genuinely committed to learning the trade and becoming ASE-certified. Qualifying for ASE certification exams doesn't require any specific education, just a certain amount of on-the-job experience.

Career Information

Automotive service technicians work in an increasingly technology-driven industry. As vehicles incorporate more and more electronics, the need for qualified mechanics who understand computerized diagnostics and other complex systems should remain steady.

Automotive Mechanic Salary

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH), auto mechanics earned a yearly median salary of $47,770 in 2023. That means half of auto mechanics earned less than that amount, and half earned more. Those at the upper end of the wage scale made over $77,630.

Job Openings & Outlook

Estimates from the OOH indicate that the employment of automotive service techs may increase by 3 percent from 2023 to 2033. Even so, about 67,800 job openings could be created each year, on average, as people retire from the trade or move into different occupations.

What an Auto Mechanic Does

Automotive technicians help ensure that cars, light trucks, and SUVs are in good working order and safe to drive. Some tasks depend on whether they are working on traditional vehicles with internal combustion engines, gas-electric hybrid vehicles, or fully electric vehicles (EVs). The vital services they provide can include tasks such as:

• Inspecting vehicles for:
  • Potential safety hazards
  • Undetected wear or damage
  • Emissions compliance
• Carrying out routine maintenance like:
  • Changing oil and filters
  • Rotating tires and aligning wheels
  • Installing car batteries
  • Lubricating parts
  • Flushing or topping up fluids
• Test-driving vehicles, taking note of odd sounds, smells, or handling issues
• Identifying and troubleshooting problems by:
  • Using computerized diagnostic equipment
  • Following established checklists
  • Consulting manufacturer documentation
  • Testing systems and components with the proper tools
• Explaining problems to customers and recommending repairs
• Repairing, replacing, overhauling, or adjusting various parts or systems related to:
  • Engines or electric motors
  • Batteries
  • Brakes
  • Transmissions
  • Steering and suspension
  • Fuel injection and ignition
  • Electrical and electronic components
  • Heating and air conditioning
  • Emission control
• Updating onboard computer software
• Maintaining service records

Work Settings

Mechanics can find employment in several types of environments, such as:

• Car dealerships
• Repair shops
• Fleet garages
• Racing venues
• Gas stations
• Tire and auto parts stores

Specializations

Many service technicians gravitate to a particular area of the trade. Some examples include:

Automotive HVAC: Focus on repairing, maintaining, and installing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems for motor vehicles.

Brakes: Inspect, troubleshoot, adjust, or replace the pads, linings, or other components of braking and traction control systems.

Drivability: Specialize in diagnosing and fixing problems that affect engines and emission control systems' function and efficiency.

High-performance technology: Help automotive racing teams or owners of high-end sports cars fix, adjust, upgrade, and maintain their fast, powerful vehicles.

Transmissions: Concentrate on troubleshooting and fixing the complex systems that transmit power from engines to wheels.

Hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs): Focus on fixing and maintaining automobiles that are fully or partially powered by electricity from sophisticated onboard batteries.

In addition to those specialties, mechanics often specialize in servicing the vehicles of particular automotive manufacturers like:

• BMW
• Fiat Chrysler
• Ford
• General Motors (GM)
• Mercedes-Benz
• Nissan
• Porsche
• Toyota
• Volvo
• Tesla

Career FAQs

How will electric cars impact the future of automotive service?

Predictions vary, but the future looks stable for auto mechanics, regardless of the types of vehicles on the road. That's because EVs still have parts and components that can wear out, get damaged, or need updating or replacing.

Even though they tend to be more reliable than vehicles with internal combustion engines, EVs still require preventive maintenance and repairs.

The onboard computers in many EVs also require periodic software updates, which technicians often perform. Plus, as these technologies get more advanced, many auto techs earn higher pay in recognition of their more sophisticated skills and responsibilities.

According to Wood Mackenzie, hybrid and electric vehicles could account for 38 percent of global vehicle purchases by 2040. And Boston Consulting Group says that internal combustion engines could still power about 48 percent of cars and trucks in the U.S. in 2030. So far, compared to other major countries, America has been the slowest adopter of EV technology.

What does it mean for a mechanic to be paid a flat rate?

Instead of a salary or hourly wage, many auto technicians receive this type of compensation. Flat-rate pay is similar to what is referred to as "piece work," since it is based on the specific jobs you carry out rather than the actual time it takes you to perform them.

Under this system, mechanics are paid a predetermined amount for each type of job they perform. If you're fast at your job and work in a shop or service department that is consistently busy, you can potentially make more money than you would under an hourly wage system. However, the opposite can also be true: If there isn't much work or you're slow at your job, you might earn less than you otherwise would.

Do mechanics have to buy their own tools?

Many dealerships and repair shops require technicians to provide their own carts, toolboxes, and hand tools. In many cases, employers provide the computerized diagnostic equipment, power tools, and other necessary items that tend to cost more.

Some auto mechanics spend tens of thousands of dollars on their tools. But you don't necessarily have to spend that much yourself. The key is only to purchase what you need, not everything you want. After all, the costs can add up quickly, which is why some technicians amass significant debt.

Look for opportunities to buy used tools from retired mechanics or through auctions, estate sales, or websites like eBay. If you attend an automotive mechanic school, take advantage of potential student discounts through companies like:

• Mac Tools
• Matco Tools
• Snap-on
• Sonic Tools