How to Become a Diesel Mechanic (Expert Tips)

Did you know the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates there will be more than 25,000 average annual bus and truck mechanic and diesel engine specialist job openings in the United States over the next decade?⁴³ These job openings may be found across several essential industries, including trucking and transportation, power generation and agriculture.

If you’re interested in developing in-demand skills that play a vital role in our society, keep reading.

In this blog post, we’ll answer, "What does a diesel mechanic do?" We’ll also explain how to become a diesel mechanic and even share a UTI graduate's journey to success!

Key Points

• Demand for Diesel Mechanics: The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates over 25,000 annual job openings for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists in the U.S. across essential industries such as trucking, power generation and agriculture.⁴³ Diesel mechanics play a crucial role in maintaining the machinery that powers these sectors.
• Role and Responsibilities: Diesel mechanics are responsible for inspecting and repairing diesel-powered equipment, including buses, trucks and construction machinery. Their duties include reading technical manuals, conducting diagnostic tests, performing routine maintenance and repairing or replacing faulty components.
• Benefits of Becoming a Diesel Mechanic: The training for this career offers a quicker path toward employment when compared with traditional college degrees, transferable skills across various industries, fulfilling hands-on work and the opportunity to stay updated with evolving diesel technology. The demand for diesel technicians often increases even during economic downturns due to the essential nature of the transportation and freight industries.
• Nestor Martinez's Success Story: Universal Technical Institute (UTI) graduate Nestor Martinez shares his journey from growing up in a trucking family to becoming a successful diesel technician with Rush Truck Centers. His story highlights the importance of passion, hard work and continuous learning in building a fulfilling career in diesel mechanics.⁶
• Pathway to Becoming a Diesel Mechanic: Prospective diesel mechanics are encouraged to attend specialized training programs like those offered by UTI, which prepare students for the industry with hands-on training experience and the opportunity to earn certifications.¹⁸ Strong industry relationships at schools like UTI can also provide students with advanced training opportunities and a path toward employment with leading manufacturers.¹

What Does a Diesel Mechanic Do?

Diesel mechanics inspect and repair diesel-powered equipment, such as buses, trains, large trucks, bulldozers and more. While their responsibilities can vary by the type of industry they work in, common diesel tech duties include:

• Reading technical charts and manuals.
• Reading work orders and determining a plan.
• Conducting and interpreting diagnostic test results.
• Performing routine maintenance such as changing oil, rotating tires and checking fluids.
• Evaluating brake, steering and transmission systems.
• Repairing and replacing faulty components.

Why Become a Diesel Mechanic?

Diesel mechanics have a valuable skill set that contributes to our day-to-day lives. They maintain the diesel engines that fuel essential industries, including agriculture, railroad and oil and gas. While having a necessary, specialized skill set is one of the most significant reasons to become a diesel mechanic, there are numerous other benefits.

Benefits of Being a Diesel Mechanic

If you’re wondering, “Is becoming a diesel mechanic worth it?” keep reading!

• Quicker career path: Diesel mechanic training requires less time to complete than attending a traditional college, meaning you can be prepared to pursue a career doing something you’re passionate about sooner than later.
• Transferable skills: Diesel mechanics are important to many industries and may have opportunities to work in various sectors.
• Fulfilling duties: Mechanics play a crucial role in helping maintain safe roadways, our power grid and the equipment that transports materials and goods.
• Hands-on work: If sitting behind a desk doesn’t interest you, a diesel mechanic career may be for you. Mechanics spend most of their day performing hands-on work.
• Stay up to date on technology: As diesel technology continues to evolve, so does diesel technicians’ knowledge!

With more and more trucks on the road, the need for diesel techs remains. If there’s anyone who knows this to be true, it’s Universal Technical Institute (UTI) grad Nestor Martinez. For the past five years, he’s worked as a diesel technician for Rush Truck Centers and has traveled around the country for his career. He’s seen the demand for diesel techs firsthand and is glad he’s chosen a career that he can count on.

UTI Graduate Nestor Martinez's Path to a Diesel Mechanic Career

Nestor grew up on the outskirts of Fort Worth, Texas. His family raised cattle, so he was used to working on various types of equipment and fixing it himself when things would break down. His grandpa and uncles drove trucks, so he was familiar with the industry.

When he graduated from high school in 2013, Nestor knew he didn’t want to take a traditional path by going to college. He wanted to do something hands-on and turn his love for diesel—which came naturally to him—into a career.

Nestor first heard about UTI while in high school. He was familiar with the school’s programs and curriculum. So, when it came time to choose where to train, he enrolled in the Automotive &  Diesel Technology program at the Dallas/Fort Worth campus to gain a comprehensive set of skills. He loved diesel but wanted to learn as much as he could about the industry as a whole.

Training To Become a Diesel Mechanic

Nestor went into his UTI experience knowing he eventually wanted to complete the Peterbilt Technician Institute program.¹⁵ He lived down the street from a Rush Truck Centers location, and his ultimate goal was to end up working there.

Throughout his core program, Nestor worked hard and did everything he could to help ensure he would be qualified for the Peterbilt program. While he had the option to complete several other programs, his heart was set on Peterbilt from Day One.

The year Nestor graduated UTI was the first year UTI’s Dallas/Fort Worth campus offered the Peterbilt Technician Institute (PTI) program. The timing couldn’t have worked out better! Nestor applied for the program and loved everything he learned in what ended up being the highlight of his UTI experience.

According to Nestor, completing a Manufacturer-Specific Advanced Training (MSAT) program is great for those who are driven and have a vision for where they want to go in their career. In his case, completing the PTI program opened the door to a career with Rush Truck Centers. As PTI is a manufacturer-paid program, Nestor was also able to save money by having the tuition covered for his specialized training.

After finishing his training, Nestor signed on with Rush Truck Centers. He started working as an entry-level tech and excelled in his new role. Nestor quickly leveled up in the organization and, after two years, was given the opportunity to go into the mobile department. This meant he got his own truck to use for work!⁶

He ended up signing a contract to work for another company through Rush and traveled to Oklahoma, where he worked seven-day shifts. After doing this for about a year, Nestor got the opportunity to work in West Texas on a contract for a company that purchases its trucks from the Rush dealer in Fort Worth. He’s been doing this for three years now!

Nestor's Advice for Those Interested in Diesel Mechanic Training

Nestor’s advice for those wondering how to become a diesel mechanic is to make sure it’s something you’re really passionate about.

“You have to put your heart into it,” he shares. “If it’s something you want to do, you have to find a way to do it no matter what.”

In this industry, success won’t be handed to you. It’s important to realize that there is always more learning to do.

“Every day, there’s something new. If you close yourself off, this industry will leave you behind,” Nestor says.

While his first few months at the dealership were challenging, Nestor’s hard work has certainly paid off. He started as an entry-level technician, and today he’s a Level 4 technician. He’s already accomplished incredible things in his career—and he’s just getting started.

Requirements for Becoming a Diesel Mechanic

According to the BLS, some employers are willing to train high school graduates without any experience, but an increasing number of employers prefer candidates like Nestor, who have attended a diesel mechanic training program.

Diesel schools provide students with hands-on practice maintaining, diagnosing and repairing equipment and may require less on-the-job training than applicants who have not attended a technical program.

Diesel is an ever-evolving field with increasingly complex engines and electrical systems. Therefore, becoming a diesel mechanic requires comfort with technology. A diesel mechanic school, like the one at UTI, teaches students to use the same tools and technology found in the field, promoting career readiness.¹

In addition to a fundamental skill set, those who want to become a diesel mechanic may benefit from displaying these traits:

• Safety-oriented: Diesel techs service large, complex equipment that can be dangerous if not treated with caution. Attending a diesel school can help you develop a safety-oriented work style that employers value.
• Personable: Diesel mechanics must communicate with customers, co-workers, managers and vendors to adequately complete their duties.
• Love for learning: Many successful diesel techs jump on opportunities to sharpen their skill sets. These can be in the form of asking questions, keeping up with industry standards or taking the initiative to learn about new technology within the field.
• Adaptability: A diesel mechanics’ work week can be filled with variety. The ability to shift gears and work on differing projects is crucial.
• Problem-solving skills: Diesel engines are intricate and powerful. Repairing them requires careful attention to detail and the ability to think outside the box.

Attending a technical school can help aspiring mechanics sharpen these traits. It can also help prepare them to test for industry certifications after graduation.

Diesel Mechanic Certifications

The BLS states that obtaining certification may help validate an applicant’s skills and experience to potential employers.

Many diesel mechanics work toward Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification – an industry-standard credential that demonstrates experience, professionalism and trustworthiness. It also displays initiative and may provide opportunities for advancement. So, how do you become ASE certified?

The first step could be enrolling in a diesel mechanic school committed to preparing students for ASE certification exams. UTI’s diesel mechanic program is accredited by the ASE Education Foundation and helps students develop the industry-aligned knowledge ASE tests for.¹⁶

UTI graduates can also substitute their education for one of the two years of experience ASE requires to test. Having this experience before becoming a diesel mechanic may prove valuable to employers.

ASE offers several diesel certifications for medium-heavy truck technicians, including:

• T1 – Gasoline Engines
• T2 – Diesel Engines
• T3 – Drive Train
• T4 – Brakes
• T5 – Suspension & Steering
• T6 – Electrical/Electronic Systems
• T7 – Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC)
• T8 – Preventive Maintenance Inspection

Medium-heavy truck techs who achieve T2-T8 certification are eligible for Master Technician Certification. Other common ASE certification exams for diesel techs include the School Bus and Transit Bus Certification test series.

Where Can I Learn To Become a Diesel Mechanic?

As the BLS reports, more and more diesel employers may lean toward applicants with postsecondary education. Therefore, maybe the best place to learn how to become a diesel mechanic is at a trade school.

There are a few ways to choose the right diesel mechanic school for you, but one thing every aspiring mechanic should look for from a training program is strong industry relationships.

A diesel school with strong industry relationships has likely crafted a curriculum that helps students build in-demand skills. The diesel school at UTI has relationships with brands like Cummins,⁴⁶ Daimler Truck North America and Peterbilt¹⁵ to create courses that directly reflect industry needs.

These brands supply vehicles, tools and technologies to our labs so that students can gain relevant hands-on practice.¹⁸ They’ve also helped UTI offer Manufacturer-Specific Advanced Training (MSAT) programs. Once eligible students complete the core diesel courses, they can enroll in an MSAT to further sharpen their skill sets and get prepared to pursue entry-level roles with leading brands. Specialized diesel training options at UTI include:

• Cummins Engines⁴⁶
• Cummins Power Generation⁴⁶
• Daimler Truck North America (DTNA)
• Finish First Peterbilt Technician Institute (PTI)¹⁵

How To Become a Diesel Mechanic FAQ

Is becoming a diesel mechanic hard?

This path requires dedication but is achievable with the right resources and assistance from passionate mentors like the ones at UTI. In fact, UTI’s diesel program doesn’t require any previous experience to attend. We pride ourselves on building students’ knowledge from the ground up.

What is the highest-paying diesel mechanic career?

According to the BLS, the highest-paid diesel mechanics work in the natural gas distribution industry.

What is the difference between a diesel mechanic and a diesel technician?

The terms are often used interchangeably, but some suggest that a diesel technician may have more advanced training in electrical systems. Generally, both diagnose, maintain and repair diesel engines and their related systems.

What are the key skills needed to succeed as a diesel mechanic?

Diesel mechanics need a range of skills that can help them maintain and repair diesel vehicles. These skills include:

• Mechanical Aptitude: A strong understanding of engine operations and vehicle systems is essential for diagnosing and repairing diesel engines.
• Problem-Solving Abilities: Diesel mechanics must be good at identifying issues and implementing solutions to ensure vehicles operate safely and efficiently.
• Attention to Detail: Precision is vital in this role to detect and fix even the smallest problems that could affect engine performance.
• Physical Stamina: The job often involves working in physically demanding environments, requiring strength and endurance to handle heavy parts and tools.
• Technical Knowledge: Familiarity with diesel engine systems and components is necessary, along with the ability to operate diagnostic tools to assess engine conditions effectively.

Learn How To Become a Diesel Mechanic at UTI

Becoming a diesel mechanic is an accomplishment we want to help you achieve. If you’re ready to get started, request more information, fill out a diesel school application online or schedule a tour at one of the campuses below:

• Avondale, Arizona
• Long Beach, California
• Rancho Cucamonga, California
• Sacramento, California
• Miramar, Florida
• Orlando, Florida
• Lisle, Illinois
• Bloomfield, New Jersey
• Exton, Pennsylvania
• Austin, Texas
• Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
• Houston, Texas