Automotive student working on engine components in a hands-on training lab.

Automotive Technology Program Overview 

Program Length

51 Weeks

Course Schedule

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Morning

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Night

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Afternoon

*Dependent on location

Costs

Tution

Course Information

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Associate Degree, Diploma or Certificate available.

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ASE Cert Test Prep

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Hands-on lab training

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Admission Requirements

No prior experience is required — we’ll build your skills from the ground up. Here’s what you will need to apply: 

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Be at least 18 years old, or 16 with a guardian to execute enrollment.

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Have a high school diploma, GED or equivalent.

Professional automotive technician performing vehicle diagnostics in a service environment.

Automotive Careers 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), automotive technicians are in demand nationwide. They can work in dealerships, repair shops, fleet operations and performance centers. Train for a career that keeps the U.S. moving.

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Entry-Level

Roles UTI grads are prepared for: 

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Automotive Technician

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Service Writer

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Smog Inspector

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Parts Associate

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Advanced

Roles you may be able to pursue in time with hard work and experience:

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Service Manager

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Master Technician

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Fleet Technician

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Drivability Technician

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Diagnostic Technician

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Heavy Line Technician

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Quick Service Technician

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Shop Owner

What Will I Learn in UTI’s Auto Mechanic Classes?  

You’ll get hands-on with the same technology found in today’s vehicles. No filler courses; just skill in topics that matter in real shops.33 

Automotive Physical Science  

Electrical Applications

Manual Transmissions 

Power & Performance 

Braking Systems 

Battery Electric Vehicle Technology 

Specialized Automotive Technician Training 

Level up your auto tech skills with UTI’s Manufacturer-Specific Advanced Training (MSAT) programs. 

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Train with industry-leading manufacturers’ equipment and tools. 

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Learn about up-to-date diagnostic technologies.

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Prepare and test for manufacturer-specific credentials.

Craft your own training path. Apply for advanced training with top manufacturers and focus on building skills in the area that interests you most.

Learn More
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Mechanic ASE Certification Training

UTI’s automotive trade school program is accredited by the ASE Education Foundation, part of the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).16 That means your education will align with ASE standards. Plus, completing UTI’s training counts toward one of the two years of work experience required to test for certification. 

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Why Choose UTI's Auto Mechanic School?

Build career confidence with benefits that go beyond the classroom. 

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$1,700 Snap-on® Tool Credit to help build your toolbox after graduation.19

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Relationships with employers looking for new talent.

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Job search assistance during and after you train. 

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Financial aid assistance, scholarships and grants for those who qualify.10

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Academic support through tutoring and 1:1 time with a success coach.

Get Started

37% of UTI's Auto/Diesel graduates reported receiving employer incentives, such as sign on bonuses, relocation assistance, tool allowances, or some tuition reimbursement, based on a 2025 survey.134

Testimonials

See how hands-on automotive training helped these UTI grads prepare for the careers they have now.18

Hear From More Grads

Frequently Asked Questions

1) UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.2) For program outcome information and other disclosures, visit www.uti.edu/disclosures.7) Some programs may require longer than one year to complete.10) Financial aid, scholarships and grants are available to those who qualify. Awards vary due to specific conditions, criteria and state.11) See program details for eligibility requirements and conditions that may apply.16)  Not all programs are accredited by the ASE Education Foundation.18) UTI now offers all of its automotive, diesel, motorcycle and marine technician training in a blended-learning format consisting of online lecture courses along with in-person, hands-on lab training.19) Students who are near graduation, have no outstanding obligations to the school, and who have not previously taken part in a tool voucher program on any UTI campus may be eligible to participate in the UTI Tool Voucher Program. Vouchers hold no value 90 days after graduation.24) UTI prepares graduates to work as entry-level automotive service technicians. Some graduates who take NASCAR-specific electives also may have job opportunities in racing-related industries. UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.25) UTI’s Automotive Technology Program prepares graduates for entry-level positions using the provided training, primarily as automotive technicians. Estimated annual salary shown above is for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics as published in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wages. Entry-level salaries are lower for UTI graduates. UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary. UTI graduates’ achievements may vary. Individual circumstances and wages depend on economic factors, personal credentials, work experience, industry certifications, the location of the employer, and their compensation programs. Some UTI graduates get jobs within their field of study in positions other than as an automotive technician, such as service writer, smog inspector, and parts associate. Salary information for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts: The average annual entry-level salary for persons employed as Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics (49-3023) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is $38,740 (Massachusetts Labor and Workforce Development, May 2023 data https://lmi.dua.eol.mass.gov/lmi/OccupationalEmploymentAndWageAllIndustries/OEWResult?A=01&GA=000025&OG=493023&Dopt=TEXT) Salary information for North Carolina: The U.S. Department of Labor estimates the hourly median wage for skilled automotive technicians in North Carolina is $23.33 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wages, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics). The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish entry-level salary data. However, the 25th and 10th percentile of hourly earnings in North Carolina are $17.68 and $14.97, respectively.41) For Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an annual average of 70,000 job openings between 2024 and 2034. Job openings include openings due to net employment changes and net replacements. See Table 1.10 Occupational separations and openings, projected 2024–34, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, viewed December 3, 2025. UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.55) U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Highway Statistics (Washington, DC: Annual Issues), number of automobile registrations as of Feb. 17, 2022.134) Based on graduate-reported data from UTI’s 2025 Graduate Tuition Reimbursement and Employer Incentives Survey. 775 graduates out of the 51,083 invited to take the survey provided a response. 212 (36.9%) of responding auto and/or diesel program graduates and 269 (34.7%) of all responding graduates reported receiving tuition reimbursement or other incentives from current or previous employers after graduating. Incentive programs and employee eligibility are at the discretion of the employer and available at select locations. Special conditions may apply. UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.

Universal Technical Institute of Illinois, Inc. is approved by the Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools of the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

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