The route, drawn out
DWG 685C · 5 stops · 3 years to qualify-
Day one Start as an apprentice from £15.6k
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Year 2 Training continues, pay rises min. £21.2k+
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3 years Fully qualified around £25k
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+3–5 years Experienced up to £38k
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Then Your own business you set the rate
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
A small trade with a devoted following. Motorcycle technicians do everything on a bike — engine, chassis, electrics, diagnostics — which makes it more varied than car work, if less lucrative on average.
Dealer workshops, independents and race teams all recruit apprentices. Delivery fleets running electric mopeds have added a new stream of maintenance work in cities.
A typical day
- Service and repair engines, transmissions and chassis
- Diagnose electrical and fuel injection faults
- Fit and set up tyres, brakes and suspension
- Prepare bikes for sale and MOT
- Advise customers on maintenance and modifications
How you get in
- GCSE grade 3 (D) or above in maths and English, or Functional Skills
- A genuine interest in bikes is expected
- Motorcycle licence is useful and often required for road testing
- Good dexterity for tight, fiddly work
Where it leads
- Manufacturer diagnostic and master technician training
- Race preparation and performance tuning
- Workshop supervisor or service manager
- Self-employed workshop or mobile servicing
Where to train for this
6 colleges and training providers on our list cover Motorcycle Technician training. Open your region to see them, then check current intakes with the provider directly.