If you’re a Virginia resident and you want to turn your love for cars into a rewarding career, we encourage you to read our selection of the best Auto Mechanic schools in your state.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage reported by Virginia Automotive Service Technicians was $52,950 as of May 2024.
Before being ready to apply for your first job in an auto shop, dealership, or similar setting, the first step is to complete an accredited training program.
Although the curriculum varies depending on the school and the credential you want to obtain, auto mechanic trainees typically study:
- Automotive Performance
- Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
- Automotive Drivetrains
- Brakes/Steering and Suspension
- Electricity and Electronic Systems
- Automotive Transmissions
- Engine & Emission Controls
- And more
To help you choose the school and the program that best fit into your schedule, on this page, we have compiled information about the best auto mechanic schools in Virginia.
Depending on the credential you want to pursue, the programs included in our list take between a few months and two years to complete.
We invite you to read further to find out more about what Virginia auto mechanic schools can teach you.
#1Northern Virginia Community College
Northern Virginia Community College offers an Automotive Technology program that is designed to turn students’ passion for cars into a lifelong, fulfilling career.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available:
- Associate Degree in Automotive Technology
- Maintenance and Light Repair Certificate
- Automotive Diagnosis and Repair Career Studies Certificate
- Electric, Hybrid, and Autonomous Vehicle Career Studies Certificate
- Collision Repair Technology Career Studies Certificate
- Diesel Basic Repair Career Studies Certificate
- Diesel Preventive Maintenance Career Studies Certificate
Programs are between two semesters and two years long.
The Diesel Preventive Maintenance Career Studies Certificate awards 16 credits, while the Associate Degree in Automotive Technology program includes 66-67 credits.
The Maintenance and Light Repair Certificate program is one year long and includes 19 credits.
Contact Information
- Address: 5000 Dawes Ave, Alexandria, VA 22311
- Phone: 703.323.3000
- Website: https://www.nvcc.edu
#2Virginia Peninsula Community College
About the School
Virginia Peninsula Community College offers an Automotive Technology Certificate program that provides hands-on training and foundational knowledge for students who are looking to start a career in the automotive industry.
The program includes classes on subjects such as engine performance, electrical diagnostics, and vehicle maintenance- designed to prepare students for entry-level technician roles.
Tuition is $170.30 per credit hour for Virginia residents.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes classes such as:
- Introduction to Automotive Systems
- Automotive Engines
- Automotive Electricity
- Anti-Pollution Systems
- Automotive Climate Control
- Automotive Electronics
- Basic Technical Mathematics
- And more
Virginia Peninsula Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees.
Contact Information
- Address: 1500 Jefferson Avenue, Newport News, VA 23607
- Phone: 855-877-3945
- Website: https://www.vpcc.edu
#3Advanced Technology Institute
About the School
The Advanced Technology Institute is a trade school located in Virginia Beach.
The school is dedicated to preparing welders, electricians, commercial drivers, HVAC technicians, maintenance technicians, automotive technicians, and diesel technicians of tomorrow.
Students get their hands on real equipment and fix real issues.
Courses Offered
The Automotive Technology program at Advanced Technology Institute can be completed in 15 months and is ASE Master Certified.
The program covers a variety of topics, from basic engines and transmissions to advanced electrical diagnostics.
The curriculum is designed to help students start their path to Master Technician.
Students learn about:
- Gasoline, Diesel, and Hybrid Engines
- Steering and Suspension
- Brake Systems
- Automatic and Manual Transmissions
- Climate Control Systems
- Electrical and Electronic Systems
Contact Information
- Address: 5700 Southern Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA 23462
- Phone: (757) 490-1241
- Website: https://auto.edu
#4Tidewater Community College
About the School
The Automotive Technology program at Tidewater Community College prepares students to begin a career as a technician in the automotive repair field or to update their training.
Students may earn a degree or a career studies certificate and have an advantage in the job market over those without formal training.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at the college:
- Automotive Technology- a five-semester program that includes 68 credits
- Career Studies Certificate- Automotive Maintenance & Light Repair Technician- a two-semester program that awards 25 credits
- Career Studies Certificate- Automotive Technician- a two-semester, 18-credit program
The Automotive Technician Certificate program includes preparation for the ASE certification exams in:
- Engine Repair
- Automatic Transmission/Transaxle
- Manual Drive Train & Axles
- Heating & Air Conditioning
Contact Information
- Address: 121 College Place, Norfolk, VA 23510
- Phone: 757-822-1111
- Website: https://www.tcc.edu
#5Chesterfield Career and Technical Center
About the School
Chesterfield Career and Technical Center offers a two-year Automotive Technology program that includes routine automotive service facility practices, preventive maintenance procedures, customer relations, and shop safety.
The curriculum covers brakes, steering, and suspension systems, automatic transmissions, engine repair, engine performance, and more.
Students can earn their Virginia State Inspection License.
They also have an opportunity to apprentice full-time at an automotive repair facility in the summer after the first school year and part-time during the second school year.
Dual enrollment credits may be available for eligible students.
The following certification opportunities are offered:
- Workplace Readiness Skills
- Safety and Pollution Prevention
- Virginia State Inspection License
- Student ASE Maintenance & Light Repair Exam
Contact Information
- Address: 13900 Hull Street Road, Midlothian, VA 23112
- Phone: 804-639-8668
- Website: https://www.oneccps.org/o/ctc/page/automotive-technology
#6Reynolds Community College
Reynolds Community College offers training programs for students who are interested in starting a career in public safety, early childhood education, skilled trades, information technology, or healthcare.
Courses Offered
The Automotive Technology program available at Reynolds Community College awards 68 credit hours and is available in person.
Students need two years (five full-time semesters) to complete the program.
In-state tuition is $176 per credit hour.
Students gain a deep understanding of automotive systems, repair techniques, diagnostic procedures, and industry standards that are applicable across various makes and models.
They train in modern, state-of-the-art facilities equipped with the latest automotive technologies.
The program is accredited through the Automotive Service Excellence Foundation, and all instructors are ASE Certified Master Technicians with advanced-level certifications.
Contact Information
- Address: 1651 East Parham Road, Richmond, Virginia
- Phone: (804) 371-3000
- Website: https://www.reynolds.edu
#7Germanna Community College
About the School
Germanna Community College is part of the Virginia Community College System.
The college offers an Automotive Technician Certificate that takes one year to complete.
The estimated program cost is a little over $4,000.
Students prepare for in-demand skills, including engine repair, suspension and steering, brakes, and electrical systems.
Courses Offered
The program includes courses such as:
- Introduction to Automotive Shop Practices
- Automotive Engines I
- Automotive Suspension and Braking Systems
Contact Information
- Address: 2130 Germanna Highway, Locust Grove, VA 22508
- Phone: (540) 891-3000
- Website: https://germanna.edu
#8New River Community College
About the School
New River Community College is a comprehensive community college in the New River Valley of Virginia.
The college provides a wide selection of courses that prepare students for new careers or help them increase their job skills.
New River Community College offers an Automotive Technology program that prepares students for a lifetime career in a challenging and changing field.
Student technicians prepare with the instruction and practice necessary to repair today’s complex vehicles.
The program is competency-based to include specific classroom and shop exercises.
Courses Offered
The following courses are included in the program:
- Introduction to Automotive Systems
- Automotive Engines I and II
- Auto Fuel and Ignition Systems
- Automotive Vehicle Inspection
- High Efficiency Fuel Systems
- Automotive Electricity I and II
- Automatic Transmissions
- Automotive Drivetrains
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 5251 College Drive, Dublin, VA 24084
- Phone: (540) 674-3600
- Website: https://www.nr.edu
#9Virginia Tire & Auto of Tysons
About the School
The Tysons Training & Technology Center is Virginia Tire & Auto’s first-ever technical training center.
The center offers both classroom and hands-on technical training classes with a curriculum designed for technicians of all skill levels.
The center provides a one-of-a-kind hands-on training facility for its team members.
The available services include:
- Virginia State Safety & Emissions Inspections
- Oil Change
- Car Battery Service
- Scheduled Car Maintenance
- Flat Tire Repair
- Transmission Repair
- Brake Repair Service
- Engine Repair
- Vehicle Diagnostic
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 2055 Chain Bridge Rd, Tysons, Virginia 22182
- Phone: 855.425.3677
- Website: https://vatire.com
#10Southwest Virginia Community College
About the School
Southwest Virginia Community College offers Automotive Diagnostics & Repair Training.
The training program leads to a Career Studies Certificate in Automotive Diagnostics and Repair.
The program consists of a credit-based, fast-track, short-term curriculum designed to prepare students for entry-level automotive diagnostic and repair technician positions.
Courses Offered
Students take the following classes:
- Introduction to Automotive Shop Practices
- Auto Fuel and Ignition Systems
- Computers and Information Systems
- Automotive Diagnostics
- Automotive Electricity
- Automotive Braking Systems
- Automotive Heating and Air Conditioning
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 724 Community College Rd. Cedar Bluff, VA 24609
- Phone: 276-964-2555
- Website: https://sw.edu
Schools Summary Table
Regional Salary in Virginia
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | 440 | $49,500 | $23.80 | $72,650 | $32,390 |
| Charlottesville, VA | 420 | $56,100 | $26.97 | $79,280 | $34,160 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | 330 | $48,730 | $23.43 | $70,410 | $30,910 |
| Lynchburg, VA | 560 | $47,990 | $23.07 | $74,110 | $29,700 |
| Richmond, VA | 2,830 | $57,620 | $27.70 | $81,000 | $35,820 |
| Roanoke, VA | 800 | $50,430 | $24.24 | $76,340 | $29,520 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | 230 | $54,630 | $26.26 | $80,600 | $35,100 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | 3,540 | $54,970 | $26.43 | $78,830 | $35,200 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | 410 | $54,280 | $26.10 | $78,860 | $33,010 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Your passion for cars and mechanical skills can be turned into a rewarding career by completing one of the training programs in our list.
Now that you have read our selection of the best auto mechanic schools in Virginia, it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your lifestyle and career aspirations.
