Everything You Need to Know About Becoming an Auto Mechanic

This article was originally posted at https://mechaniccareernow.com/becoming-a-mechanic

Are you passionate about a career with cars and engines? The mechanic industry provides a variety of opportunities for career success. Technology is constantly evolving and changing, opening up new avenues for career choices. A career as a mechanic requires a high level of technical skill and customer service which are the primary ingredients for success.

If your biggest motivation is to get down and dirty with your hands while using your mechanical and technical skills to repair and maintain vehicles, a career as a mechanic may be the perfect fit for you. What you’ll find in this article is a massive amount of information, from choosing a mechanic school to taking that important licensing exam, which will help determine whether a career as an auto mechanic is right for you.

If you're interested in motorcycle mechanics, check out this career guide.

About Mechanic Careers

To be a great mechanic, you should possess superb communication skills. Because you’ll be working in a customer service-based industry, the better people-person you are, the better chance you have of earning customer loyalty.

You should also have a solid work-ethic, have above-average problem solving and diagnostic skills, and a superior technical aptitude that leads to quick and accurate repairs and vehicle maintenance.

How to Become a Mechanic

1. If you’re still in high school, take auto repair, electronics, and math to prepare.
2. You MUST have a high school diploma or GED.
3. Go to a trade school or community college and enroll in a mechanic program.
4. Get that diploma or degree to become fully qualified as an auto mechanic.

*Many potential employers prefer their mechanics to have had a higher level of training from a trade school or community college.

Different Mechanic Career Options

There are a variety of other job descriptions under the umbrella heading of mechanics that extends beyond the auto mechanic. The term “mechanic” can describe anyone who works in the installation, maintenance, and repair of any type of mechanical device, from cars to ships to airplanes. Auto mechanic tends to be the most widely-recognized, but there are other career options in the mechanic industry.

• Diesel Mechanics work on vehicles powered by diesel fuel such as buses, trucks, and some cars.
• Aircraft Mechanics repair and maintain airplanes, jets, helicopters and any other machine that flies.
• Motorboat or Marine Mechanics deal with inboard and outboard boat engines.
• Motorcycle Mechanics spend their time repairing motorcycles, scooters, and mopeds.
• Farm Equipment Mechanics repair agricultural machinery such as tractors and harvesters.
• Mobile Heavy Equipment maintain and repair construction machines such as bulldozers and cranes.

There are also areas to specialize in within each niche. For instance, auto mechanics can choose to focus on transmissions, tune ups, front-end, brake, and air-conditioning. The more you specialize and focus on one area of mechanics, the more you can pave the way for yourself.

Pick the Right Mechanic Program

With so many schools offering similar programs, it’s important to be armed with information so you can make the right choice. There are some main factors to look for when choosing a mechanic school.

Certified: It is important to attend a school certified by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF). The NATEF certification proves that the school is exceptionally equipped to prepare their students for all aspects of the mechanic job.

Practical Learning: Auto mechanics need hands-on training alongside their coursework. Make sure the school you’re thinking about attending provides both classroom and practical learning, meaning they teach their students to work on an actual vehicle and its parts.

Curriculum: Is the school you’re thinking about staying ahead of the curve? Do they provide their students with bumper-to-bumper instruction? Also, are they up-to-date with all the latest technology most automobiles come equipped with, and are they able to teach their students how to maintain them?

Connections: Is your school well-connected and are they able to offer job placement for their graduated students? What’s their graduation rate and do they have proof their graduates have secured jobs after school?

What to Expect from a Mechanic Program

What can you expect from auto mechanic programs?

Program specifics will depend on where you go, but most curricula will have some similarities with one another. They should all teach their students about the different systems and components making up automobiles, how to maintain them, and how to fix them. Students will also learn the proper use of related tools and will use them during their hands-on training.

Certificate programs will focus on career-specific courses and will not include any general education classes. The benefit of a certificate program is that it is a shorter program than the associate degree, which allows students to enter the workforce quicker.

In certificate programs, students will learn the basic mechanics of vehicles — whether it's routine maintenance, a diagnosis, or a large-scale repair. Students can choose to specialize as well. Some focus on specific engines, while others focus on specific types of vehicles and their parts. For example, a student might be particularly drawn to diesel mechanics, and focus their studies on diesel engines and parts.

If you are interested in specializing, check with your school before enrolling to ensure they offer the specific one you're looking for. Other common courses found in certificate programs are an intro to auto technology, diesel service techniques, auto electrical, and fuel/emissions systems.

Associate Degree Programs are considered to be well-rounded and offer better preparation for students who would like to continue their education and receive a bachelor's degree. Associate degrees in auto mechanics typically take two years to complete as a full-time student.

An associate degree in automotive service technology will not only include career-specific courses, but it will also have general education requirements. Students will also take business management classes which are important, particularly to those who want to work on their own once they graduate. Some common courses you can expect in the associate degree program are advanced transmission diagnostics, auto mechanics technology, service management, and alternatively fueled and hybrid vehicles.

Mechanic Licenses and Certifications

The licensing for auto mechanics varies by state. Texas, New Jersey, and Florida are the exceptions and do not require their auto mechanics to be licensed. However, there are many benefits when it comes to being licensed — namely licensing can help you perform more complex repairs, and can also give you a leg up on the competition against others in the hiring market.

Listed below are a few licensing options to choose from:

1. ASE or Automotive Service Excellence exam: The industry standard which determines the skill of an auto mechanic. The exam is computer-based and monitored, and it is given at specified locations which vary by state. The ASE is divided into different vehicle types and their systems. Sections include: buses, cars, and trucks, and these are divided into eight core certifications per vehicle type. Certifications cover engine repair, automatic transmission and axle, manual drive train and axles, suspension and steering, brakes, electrical and electronic systems, heating and air, and engine performance. Try our ASE mechanic practice tests.
2. ASE Master Certification: Once all the sections of the ASE are passed, you will then have the opportunity to take the Master Certification exam. This exam is divided into series which include cars, medium to large trucks, and transit buses. Once all the series are passed, Master Mechanic status is achieved. However, the Master Certification must be retaken every 5 years.
3. Manufacturer Specific Certification: This tests your technical skills for a specific manufacturer. Many manufacturers offer this certification with their vehicles. Vehicles vary across their industry, and being able to specialize in a specific brand with hands-on learning can benefit your career in many ways. It is also possible for mechanics to land a job working for one of these manufacturers, as well.

Manufacturer Certification Courses:

Ford FACT: The Ford Accelerated Credential Training program provides mechanics with Ford-specific training, making them an asset to Ford dealerships. It is a one-year program with a 15-week capstone course in the Service Technician Specialty Training (STST) Ford curriculum. Students are trained at a Ford sponsored facility by certified instructors.

Volvo SAFE: This 14-week course offers 12 Volvo specific factory credentials which put the student on a fast-track toward master mechanic status. It is an exclusive training program. Therefore there are strict qualifications that must be met before a student is accepted.

International Trucks ITEP: This is an invitation only, manufacturer-paid program that lasts 15 weeks. The graduate can earn up to 89 factory credentials in 14 categories. To be qualified, you must have a high GPA, perfect attendance, and a squeaky clean driver's record. There’s an entrance exam, a drug test, and an in-person interview that must also be passed.

Toyota TPAT: Earn nine Toyota and five Lexus University of Toyota course credits through this program. Become a Toyota Technician Expert upon completion of all the credits, and get Toyota Maintenance Certified.

As with many other certifications, the ones listed above must be renewed every five years, as well. The auto industry requires its mechanics to renew their certifications every 5 years to stay up-to-date on the consistently evolving technology of vehicles.

How Much Mechanic School Costs

There are a few different options for becoming a certified auto mechanic. They are either online, from a certificate program, or an associate degree program. After a certificate or diploma is received, there is the option to take the certification exam through the National Institute for Auto Service Excellence (NIASE).

Each type of program varies in what is included, specific courses, provided training materials, and its cost.

Online: tools and study guides to be used at the location of where the student is studying. There should also be a balance of in-person instruction, particularly for the hands-on work.

Certificate Programs: These should include all the materials for the hands-on study portion including engines, transmission systems, and auto diagnosis, repair, and maintenance courses. Expect additional fees for books, tools, lab fees, and other miscellaneous items which can add between $1,000-$3,000 to the total.

Degree Programs: The major bulk of the cost should include all coursework, including the required general education courses along with the auto mechanics classes. If the degree program is at a university, expect an additional cost of $5,000-10,000 for room and board, plus similar fees as the certificate programs.

Financial aid and scholarships are available to those who qualify. Learn more about financial aid opportunities here. It is also encouraged for students to speak with a school admissions advisor for specific financial aid information.

Mechanic Career Outlook and Salary in 2023

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there is little to no change in the demand for auto mechanics and small engine mechanics by 2032. However, since there are more car owners than ever before, it is still a viable career path. And with self-driving cars looming in the not-so-distant future, along with electric cars gaining popularity, mechanics will need to keep up with the rapidly growing technology to stay relevant.

Read More:

• What does a diesel mechanic do?
• What does an aircraft mechanic do?
• ASE study guide