Skip to main content
National Careers Service

Beta How could we improve this service? Your feedback will help.

Warning The National Careers Service is changing from 1 October 2026. Find out more about the changes and how to get additional support after the change.
  1. Home
  2. Explore careers
  3. Roadside assistance technician

Roadside assistance technician

Alternative titles for this job include Roadside recovery technician, motor vehicle breakdown engineer

Roadside assistance technicians help people whose vehicles have broken down.

Average salary (a year)

£30,000 Starter

to

£55,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

40 to 44 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly
  • training with a breakdown company

College

You could take a college course before applying for work as a trainee with a garage or breakdown company.

Relevant courses include:

  • light vehicle maintenance and repair
  • T Level in Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing

You could specialise in hybrid and electrical vehicles by doing a course like:

  • auto-electrical and mobile electrical operations
  • electric/hybrid vehicle system repair and replacement

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

Apprenticeship

You can apply to do a Motor Vehicle Service and Maintenance Technician - Light Vehicle Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

This can take 2 to 3 years. You'll do on-the-job training and spend time at a college or training provider.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

Direct Application

You can apply directly to become a roadside assistance technician. You'll need experience and qualifications in motor vehicle maintenance and repair to do this.

Other Routes

Some of the large breakdown organisations operate their own training academies where you can apply to join an apprenticeship scheme.

More Information

Career tips

You'll usually be supplied with a company vehicle to use for work, though you may need some of your own repair tools.

Further information

You can find out more about how to become a roadside assistance technician from the Institute of the Motor Industry.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • problem-solving skills
  • the ability to repair machines or systems
  • persistence and determination
  • the ability to work well with others
  • customer service skills
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

  • have a full driving licence

You may need an LGV licence if you're going to be working on heavy goods vehicles.

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a roadside assistance technician, you could:

  • respond to breakdown calls from a control centre
  • make sure the vehicle, driver and passengers are safe
  • examine the vehicle to find and diagnose the fault
  • carry out roadside repairs
  • tow or transport the vehicle to a garage if major repair work is needed
  • arrange transport for the driver of the broken down vehicle
  • complete record sheets for each job

Working environment

You could work at a garage, from a vehicle or on call-out to wherever the car owner is.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time and you'll travel often.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a supervisor or manager, or move into training.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Vehicle Technician Level 3 - Nissan - Aldershot

  • Wage: £16,640 a year Annually
  • Location: Aldershot

Apprentice Land Rover Car Mechanic

  • Wage: £15,600 a year Annually
  • Location: Amersham Road, Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Vehicle Repair & Maintenance (STC)

  • Provider: TYNE COAST COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 October 2026
  • Location: South Shields

Vehicle Systems Maintenance (Award)

  • Provider: Nova Training
  • Start date: Flexible
  • Location: West Bromwich
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

You can call 0800 100 900 or use webchat to speak to an adviser.

We're open:

  • 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
  • 10am to 5pm Saturdays and bank holidays

We're closed on Sundays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.