Heavy vehicle service and maintenance technician
Level 3 · AdvancedEngineering and manufacturing 3 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
The Heavy Vehicle Service and Maintenance Technician apprenticeship at Level 3 trains you to service, diagnose, and repair lorries, buses, coaches, and other heavy goods vehicles to keep fleets safe and roadworthy. You will work on engines, transmissions, brakes, suspension, and increasingly the electronic and telematics systems on modern commercial vehicles. It leads to roles as a qualified HGV technician in fleet workshops, dealerships, and transport operators.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Heavy vehicle diesel engine operation, servicing, and overhaul
Braking system inspection, adjustment, and repair (air and hydraulic)
Transmission, clutch, and driveline maintenance
Suspension, steering, and wheel alignment on heavy axles
Vehicle electrical systems, diagnostics, and telematics
MOT inspection standards and DVSA roadworthiness requirements
Health and safety and safe use of workshop lifting equipment
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Carry out scheduled servicing on lorries, buses, and coaches
Diagnose mechanical and electrical faults using diagnostic tools
Replace and repair engine components, brakes, and suspension parts
Inspect and test vehicles to ensure DVSA roadworthiness standards
Complete job cards and vehicle health check records
Road-test vehicles safely after repair or service
Maintain a clean and safe workshop environment
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 3 (Advanced) - roughly A-level level. Employers usually look for some GCSEs (often English & maths around grade 4/C) or a Level 2 apprenticeship first. English & maths can sometimes be finished during training.
What’s next: Can lead to a Level 4/5 (Higher) apprenticeship, or straight into the role.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
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What it’s really like
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