Vocational.uk The route, drawn out

Motor Vehicle & Transport

HGV Technician

Maintain and repair trucks, trailers and commercial vehicles that cannot afford to be off the road.

High demand Level 3 apprenticeship
Typical pay once qualified
£33,000 – £50,000
Training length
3 years
Apprenticeship standard
Heavy vehicle service and maintenance technician
Where to train
223 providers listed

The route, drawn out

DWG C30A · 5 stops · 3 years to qualify
  1. Day one Start as an apprentice from £15.6k
  2. Year 2 Training continues, pay rises min. £21.2k+
  3. 3 years Fully qualified around £33k
  4. +3–5 years Experienced up to £50k
  5. Then HGV driving licence and inspection… next step

The first figures are legal minimums: the apprentice rate (£8.00/hr) and the National Minimum Wage for 18–20s and 21+ from April 2026, on a 37.5-hour week. Qualified and experienced pay are indicative UK ranges — most employers pay apprentices above the minimum.

What the job is

Heavy vehicle technicians work on equipment that earns money every hour it moves, so speed and reliability matter. The work covers engines, braking and air systems, hydraulics, electrics and the legally required inspections that keep an operator's licence valid.

The sector is short of technicians, pay is above car work, and shift and callout premiums are common. Many technicians move into roadside assistance, fleet engineering or transport management.

A typical day

  • Carry out safety inspections to DVSA standards
  • Service and repair engines, brakes, air and hydraulic systems
  • Diagnose electrical and electronic faults on commercial vehicles
  • Prepare vehicles for MOT and annual test
  • Complete maintenance records that meet operator licence requirements

How you get in

  • GCSE grade 3-4 (D-C) in maths, English and science is typical
  • Physically capable — the components are heavy
  • A car licence to start; HGV licence often funded later
  • Aptitude test common with dealer groups and fleets

Where it leads

  • HGV driving licence and inspection qualifications
  • Manufacturer master technician status
  • Workshop supervisor or fleet engineer
  • Roadside assistance or mobile technician roles

Where to train for this

223 colleges and training providers on our list cover HGV Technician training. Open your region to see them, then check current intakes with the provider directly.

East Midlands 15
East of England 17
London 10
North East 13
North West 26
South East 24
South West 18
UK-wide 21
West Midlands 22
Yorkshire and the Humber 16
East Scotland 6
North Scotland 6
West Scotland 7
North Wales 2
South Wales 8
West Wales 2
Northern Ireland 7
Channel Islands 2
Isle of Man 1

Search these providers by town or type →