How Long is Automotive Technician School?
| Update: September 05, 2024
Automotive technicians help make repairs and perform maintenance on hundreds of different types of cars, and this work is important to anyone who depends on a vehicle to get around.
While it may seem overwhelming to learn how each system within a vehicle functions in order to keep it running efficiently, training to become an automotive technician does not have to be difficult. In fact, training to become an automotive technician through an automotive technician school can take less than a year to complete and will prepare you for an entry-level position working in the field. Let’s take a closer look at exactly how long an automotive technician school takes to complete.
Before we dive into how long it takes to become an automotive technician, if you're interested in becoming an automotive technician, consider enrolling in UEI College's Automotive Technician Program.
How Long Does It Take to Become an Automotive Technician?
You can prepare for an entry-level position as an automotive technician in as few as 10 months. That is, you can earn an Automotive Technician Diploma from UEI College in less than a year!
The minimum educational requirement for most automotive technician positions is a high school diploma, but most employers will not hire a technician who does not have some formal training, either through a community college or a trade school program. The length of these programs can vary from about ten months to two years.
Once a person has completed a training program, they can get to work right away. A good program will prepare you to begin a job as soon as you graduate and may even offer assistance to help you find an entry-level position in the automotive field.
What Does an Automotive Technician Do?
Automotive technicians perform repairs and maintenance work on vehicles and trucks. They may inspect a vehicle visually or listen and feel for signs of trouble during a test drive. They also use specialized equipment to read the error codes on a vehicle and perform whatever repairs are needed to help it function. This usually includes repairing or replacing worn or broken parts.
Automotive technicians may also perform basic maintenance on a vehicle, like tire rotations, oil changes, and replacing worn parts and belts according to mileage.
A big part of being an automotive technician is providing excellent customer service. Automotive technicians need to have the ability to communicate professionally with a vehicle’s owner to explain the issues, the solution, and the price for the service.
Additional training may lead some automotive technicians to specialize in one type of vehicle or even expand their career to servicing trucks, buses, or tractors. The mechanical training needed to become an automotive technician may lead to new career opportunities down the road.
What Education Do You Need to Become an Automotive Mechanic?
Becoming an automotive technician does not require a university degree. You can prepare for an entry-level position with just a high school diploma.
With a high school diploma or high school equivalency, you can enroll in an automotive training program that takes less than a year to complete. A diploma from a trade or career college is valuable to employers because it shows them that you've obtained the necessary training to become a valuable team member on day one.
If you have not yet earned a high school diploma, you can still begin training for a career in the automotive field. UEI College has options to help you earn your high school diploma while completing your training. Give us a call to learn more about this program.
Learn more about How to Become an Automotive Technician!
What Are the Requirements to Enroll in UEI College's Automotive Technician Program?
To enroll in the Automotive Technician Training Program at UEI College, you must be at least 17 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent. Contact us to learn more about the Automotive Tech Program offered by UEI College.
What Does a Day in the Life of an Auto Tech Look Like?
Every day is unique for an automotive technician, and what a typical day looks like will depend largely on the shop and environment you end up working in.
Typically, automotive technicians, especially those starting out, will work in a repair shop or dealership. It would be their job to inspect whatever vehicle is brought in and identify issues. They may be asked to solve one certain problem, but repair shops typically make a note of any possible problems that a customer may need to address in the near future.
After an inspection of the vehicle, the technician may need to discuss their findings with the customer before they get to work. Once they come to an agreement about the job at hand, they get to work. They use tools and equipment to replace or repair the different systems within the vehicle.
An automotive technician’s training allows them to make repairs to the vehicle’s engine, fuel system, ignition system, brake system, electrical system, suspension and steering, and more.
Once a repair is made, the automotive technician should perform a test drive to ensure the problem is fixed and make any notes about the repair that might be helpful for the customer.
What Skills Do Mechanics Need to Have?
Automotive technicians provide a valuable service in helping customers get back on the road. Working on large vehicles and performing repairs may have some innate danger to it, so technicians in this position need to have a good combination of knowledge and skill to do the job well. Some skills an automotive technician should have are:
Good work ethic. Most automotive technicians work independently as they make repairs. There is no one standing directly over them, making sure they are working hard and not cutting corners. People in this position are given a lot of trust and with each job done, that trust grows. Trust is a valuable currency for automotive technicians who want to make a long career out of their skills.
Knowledge of automobiles. When your job is to make repairs on vehicles, it makes sense that you should have some knowledge of vehicles and how they work. Some people are born with a natural curiosity that drives them to learn all about the cars on the road, but even if you didn’t grow up with this interest, you could learn all you need to know through a training program.
Attention to detail. Automotive technicians work independently to make repairs, and this requires good attention to detail. It’s up to the technician to notice not only the problems they are fixing but what parts may become issues in the near future.
Customer service. While the focus of an automotive technician’s role is fixing cars, they also interact a lot with the owner of the vehicle. They may need to have the patience to explain complex issues within a vehicle to a customer who does not know much about the car but is desperate to get it moving again. Great customer service can make a big difference and help build trust and reputation in the community.
Become an Automotive Technician With UEI College
Automotive Training offered by UEI College can help you get started in the automotive field quickly. If you have a passion for cars and a curiosity about what it takes to make it a career, we have the answers. Give us a call to find out how you can enroll in Automotive Tech Program!
