How to become an automotive service technician, truck and bus mechanic or mechanical repairer
Official title: Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers
Also called: Bus mechanic, Car mechanic, Truck mechanic, Garage mechanic, New car mechanic, Trailer mechanic, Front-end mechanic, Automobile mechanic, Automotive mechanic, Automotive repairer, Transmission mechanic, Brake systems mechanic
Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers inspect, diagnose, repair and service mechanical, electrical and electronic systems and components of cars, buses, and light and commercial transport trucks. They are employed by motor vehicle dealers, garages, truck and trailer dealerships, fleet maintenance companies, and service stations, automotive specialty shops, transportation companies and retail establishments which have automotive service shops. This unit group also includes mechanical repairers who perform major repairs and replacement of mechanical units on newly assembled motor vehicles. They are employed by motor vehicle manufacturing companies. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Main tasks
- Automotive service technicians
- Review work orders and discuss work with supervisor
- Inspect motor in operation, road test motor vehicle, and test automotive systems and components using computerized diagnostic and other testing devices to diagnose and isolate faults
- Adjust, repair or replace parts and components of automotive systems including fuel system, brakes, steering and suspension, engine and drive train, emission control and exhaust, cooling and climate control, and electrical and electronic systems using hand tools and other specialized automotive repair equipment
- Test and adjust repaired systems to manufacturer's performance specifications
- Perform scheduled maintenance service, such as oil changes, lubrications and tune ups
- Advise customers on work performed, general vehicle condition and future repair requirements
- Mechanical repairers - motor vehicle manufacturing
How to become one
Automotive service technicians Completion of secondary school and training courses or a vocational program are usually required. Completion of a four-year automotive service technician apprenticeship program or A combination of over four years of work experience and industry courses in automotive technology is required to be eligible for trade certification. Trade certification for automotive service technicians is compulsory in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Automotive service technician (transmission) trade certification is compulsory in Ontario. Automotive service technician (steering, suspension and brakes) trade certification is compulsory in New Brunswick and Ontario. Automotive service technician (service station mechanic) trade certification is compulsory in Nova Scotia and available, but voluntary, in Prince Edward Island. Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified automotive service technicians upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination. Mechanical repairers, motor vehicle manufacturing Completion of secondary school and training courses or a vocational program are usually required. On-the-job training of two to three years is provided by employers. Truck and transport and truck-trailer mechanics Completion of secondary school and training courses or a vocational program are usually required. Completion of a four-year truck and transport mechanic or truck-trailer repair apprenticeship or A combination of over four years of work experience and industry courses in truck or heavy duty equipment mechanics is required to be eligible for trade certification. Trade certification for truck and transport mechanics is compulsory in Nova Scotia, Ontario and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and the Yukon. Transport trailer technician trade certification is compulsory in Ontario and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Manitoba, British Columbia and the Yukon. Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified truck-trailer repairers and truck and transport mechanics upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
Ways in
- Apprenticeship: Red Seal trade. Completion of a four-year automotive service technician apprenticeship program or A combination of over four years of work experience and industry courses in automotive technology is required to be eligible for trade certification. Completion of a four-year truck and transport mechanic or truck-trailer repair apprenticeship or A combination of over four years of work experience and industry courses in truck or heavy duty equipment mechanics is required to be eligible for trade certification. Red Seal endorsement is available. Apprenticeships are run by each province and territory.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $58,286 a year The middle half earn $43,329 to $72,150.
- About 140,400 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 155,800 are projected by 2033. (+11%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: moderate risk of shortage.
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Questions people ask
How do I become an automotive service technician, truck and bus mechanic or mechanical repairer?
Automotive service technicians Completion of secondary school and training courses or a vocational program are usually required. Completion of a four-year automotive service technician apprenticeship program or A combination of over four years of work experience and industry courses in automotive technology is required to be eligible for trade certification. Trade certification for automotive service technicians is compulsory in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Automotive service technician (transmission) trade certification is compulsory in Ontario. Automotive service technician (steering, suspension and brakes) trade certification is compulsory in New Brunswick and Ontario. Automotive service technician (service station mechanic) trade certification is compulsory in Nova Scotia and available, but voluntary, in Prince Edward Island. Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified automotive service technicians upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination. Mechanical repairers, motor vehicle manufacturing Completion of secondary school and training courses or a vocational program are usually required. On-the-job training of two to three years is provided by employers. Truck and transport and truck-trailer mechanics Completion of secondary school and training courses or a vocational program are usually required. Completion of a four-year truck and transport mechanic or truck-trailer repair apprenticeship or A combination of over four years of work experience and industry courses in truck or heavy duty equipment mechanics is required to be eligible for trade certification. Trade certification for truck and transport mechanics is compulsory in Nova Scotia, Ontario and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and the Yukon. Transport trailer technician trade certification is compulsory in Ontario and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Manitoba, British Columbia and the Yukon. Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified truck-trailer repairers and truck and transport mechanics upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
How much does an automotive service technician, truck and bus mechanic or mechanical repairer earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $58,286 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $43,329 to $72,150.
Is an automotive service technician, truck and bus mechanic or mechanical repairer a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 11% by 2033, from about 140,400 to about 155,800 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become an automotive service technician, truck and bus mechanic or mechanical repairer?
Usually not. Only 3% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Red Seal trade.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03