Vehicle technician
Also known as: automotive maintenance technician, automotive mechanic, PCV technician, road vehicle mechanic, motor vehicle mechanic, van mechanic
About this occupation
Vehicle technicians inspect, test and maintain vehicles, motorcycles, engine tune-ups and tyre replacements. They repair engine failures, lube replacements. Vehicle technicians replace vehicle components and evaluate warranty options.
Essential skills and knowledge
- follow given instructions
- car controls
- mechanics
- diagnose problems with vehicles
- carry out repair of vehicles
- provide customer information related to repairs
- repair vehicle electrical systems
- use traditional toolbox tools
- carry out repairs and maintenance of vehicle bodies
- position vehicles for maintenance and repair
- emission standards
- maintain work area cleanliness
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Recreational Vehicle Service Technicians (O*NET 49-3092.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Diagnose and repair furnace or air conditioning systems.
- Connect electrical systems to outside power sources, and activate switches to test the operation of appliances or light fixtures.
- Examine or test operation of parts or systems to ensure completeness of repairs.
- Repair plumbing or propane gas lines, using caulking compounds and plastic or copper pipe.
- Inspect recreational vehicles to diagnose problems and perform necessary adjustment, repair, or overhaul.
- Locate and repair frayed wiring, broken connections, or incorrect wiring, using ohmmeters, soldering irons, tape, or hand tools.
- Typical education (US)
- Less than a High School Diploma
- Preparation
- Job Zone 2 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Conventional, Investigative
Top skills: Repairing, Troubleshooting, Complex Problem Solving, Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Equipment Maintenance
US median pay: US$52,000 a year (2025), 17,430 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalVery important (4.1)
- WoodworkO*NET: Building and ConstructionVery important (4.1)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (3.6)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageImportant (3.2)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.0)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Less than a High School Diploma
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
- Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians
- Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics
- Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers
- Rail Car Repairers
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
- Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.