Roadside assistance technician

Career path and progression

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

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.

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Design and Technology - Roadside assistance technicians work hands-on with tools, mechanical components, and vehicle systems every day. Understanding how things are designed, built, and assembled helps them quickly diagnose faults and carry out effective repairs at the roadside.
• Physics - Roadside assistance technicians need to understand how engines, braking systems, and electrical circuits work – all of which rely on principles like forces, energy transfer, and electromagnetism. This knowledge is essential for diagnosing why a vehicle has broken down and figuring out what needs fixing.
• Mathematics - Roadside assistance technicians use maths when reading diagnostic data, interpreting electrical measurements like voltage and resistance, and calculating things like tyre pressures or fluid levels. Being confident with numbers helps them work accurately under pressure.
• Engineering - Roadside assistance technicians work directly with mechanical and electrical engineering systems inside vehicles, from engines and transmissions to hybrid battery systems. Understanding engineering principles helps them troubleshoot complex faults and decide whether a repair can be done at the roadside or needs a garage.

Also relevant

• Electronics - Roadside assistance technicians increasingly deal with electronic control units, sensors, and wiring in modern vehicles – especially hybrids and electric cars. Understanding how electronic circuits and components work helps them diagnose faults in systems like engine management, ABS, and charging.
• Computer Science - Roadside assistance technicians use handheld diagnostic devices that communicate with a vehicle's onboard computer systems to read fault codes and live data. As vehicles become more software-driven, understanding how these digital systems work helps technicians interpret results and identify problems more effectively.
• Business - Roadside assistance technicians deal directly with customers who are often stressed or stranded, so strong customer service skills matter. Understanding how businesses operate is also useful for those who progress into supervisory or management roles, or who move into running their own vehicle repair services.