Commercial Vehicle Technician Jobs

The Commercial Vehicle Technician is the skilled backbone of the UK's road freight, public transport and fleet maintenance infrastructure. Responsible for the diagnosis, repair, maintenance and roadworthiness of heavy goods vehicles, light commercial vehicles, buses and coaches, the Commercial Vehicle Technician operates in one of the most technically demanding and operationally critical environments in the automotive sector.

Vehicles that go off the road cost operators thousands of pounds a day. That makes the speed, accuracy and quality of every Commercial Vehicle Technician's work directly consequential to the businesses they support. From franchised truck dealers and independent workshops to large fleet Vehicle Maintenance Units and public transport engineering depots, demand for qualified and experienced Commercial Vehicle Technicians consistently outpaces supply across the UK.

Venatu recruits Commercial Vehicle Technicians for permanent and contract roles across franchised truck dealerships, light commercial vehicle workshops, fleet VMUs, bus and coach engineering operations, independent commercial vehicle repairers and contract maintenance providers throughout the UK. This role sits across our truck and van and bus and coach recruitment divisions.

Who We Recruit For

We place candidates with:

• Franchised truck dealerships across major manufacturers including DAF, Volvo, MAN, Mercedes-Benz, Scania, Iveco and Renault
• Light commercial vehicle workshops and van centre service operations
• Fleet Vehicle Maintenance Units (VMUs) in logistics, utilities, local authorities and public sector organisations
• Bus and coach operator engineering and maintenance depots
• Independent commercial vehicle repairers and roadside assistance providers
• Contract maintenance and fleet management businesses
• Refrigerated and temperature-controlled vehicle operators with in-house maintenance
• Commercial vehicle bodywork and conversion businesses with workshop operations
• Military and government vehicle maintenance operations

Roles We Place

• Commercial Vehicle Technician
• HGV Technician (Category C / C+E)
• LCV Technician
• PSV Technician (Bus and Coach)
• Diagnostic Technician (Commercial Vehicle)
• Master Technician (Commercial Vehicle)
• Mobile Commercial Vehicle Technician
• Commercial Vehicle Apprentice Technician
• Trailer Technician
• Refrigeration Unit Technician (TRU)
• Commercial Vehicle Workshop Foreman
• Technical Support Engineer (Commercial Vehicle)

Who Can Apply

Commercial Vehicle Technician roles require recognised qualifications and hands-on experience with heavy or light commercial vehicle systems. Strong candidates typically come from:

• Qualified HGV or LGV Technicians with City and Guilds, IMI or equivalent qualifications in heavy vehicle maintenance looking for a new employer, manufacturer brand or shift pattern
• Bus and Coach Technicians with PSV engineering experience who want to move into truck or van work, or experienced truck technicians looking to move into PSV operations
• LCV Technicians working on vans and light commercial vehicles who want to progress into heavier vehicle categories with appropriate upskilling
• Apprentice Commercial Vehicle Technicians who have completed or are completing their training and are seeking their first qualified technician position - see our apprentice roles page for related information
• Mobile Technicians currently working roadside breakdown or recovery who want to move into a workshop-based role for improved work-life balance or development opportunities
• Armed forces vehicle technicians leaving REME or equivalent military engineering roles who want to apply their heavy vehicle maintenance skills in a civilian commercial vehicle environment
• Passenger car technicians who have strong diagnostic foundations and want to retrain and transition into commercial vehicle work

Most Commercial Vehicle Technician roles require a recognised vocational qualification at Level 2 or 3, though employer requirements vary between franchised manufacturers, independent workshops and fleet VMUs. Venatu confirms qualification requirements and any manufacturer-specific diagnostic system training needed with each employer before presenting candidates.

Commercial Vehicle Technician Salary Guide

Shift premiums for nights, early starts, weekends and bank holidays are standard across many commercial vehicle operations and can increase earnings significantly. Tool allowances and manufacturer training funded by the employer are common benefits. Venatu benchmarks package expectations with each client before beginning a search. Visit the HR Hub for broader context on commercial vehicle technician remuneration. Read about technician career paths in My Tech Story: Danny Whetnall, 25 Years In The Motor Trade.

What the Role Involves

Responsibilities vary by employer type and vehicle category but typically include:

• Carrying out scheduled maintenance, statutory inspections and PMI (Preventive Maintenance Inspection) services to manufacturer or operator standards
• Diagnosing and repairing mechanical, electrical and electronic faults across commercial vehicle systems including engines, transmissions, braking systems, steering, suspension and body systems
• Using manufacturer diagnostic systems and generic diagnostic tools to identify fault codes, perform guided diagnostics and complete electronic repairs and software updates
• Completing safety inspections and ensuring vehicles are roadworthy and compliant with DVSA standards before return to service
• Carrying out MOT preparation and, for authorised testing facilities, conducting or supporting HGV annual test inspections
• Repairing and maintaining trailer systems including air braking, lighting, axle and coupling components
• Maintaining accurate workshop job cards, digital vehicle health check records and parts requisition documentation
• Communicating vehicle condition, additional work identified and repair estimates clearly to the Workshop Foreman or Service Advisor
• Managing tooling and workshop equipment in line with the employer's safety and maintenance requirements
• Keeping up to date with manufacturer technical service bulletins, product bulletins and any relevant legislative changes affecting the vehicle types worked on

How the Process Works

For employers:

1. Submit a vacancy with the vehicle type, shift pattern, qualification requirements and any manufacturer diagnostic system training needed.
2. We confirm candidate availability and qualifications and present a pre-screened shortlist within five working days.
3. Candidates are assessed for technical capability, relevant vehicle type experience and qualification level.
4. Interview and offer supported by Venatu throughout.

For candidates:

1. Register your CV with your qualifications, the vehicle types you have worked on, any manufacturer training completed and preferred shift pattern.
2. A Venatu consultant will review your background and contact you directly.
3. Roles are matched to your technical specialism, preferred vehicle type and geography.
4. Venatu manages the process and advises on package expectations ahead of offer.

Browse current vacancies or create a job alert to be notified when relevant roles become available.

FAQ

What qualifications does a Commercial Vehicle Technician need? The most common route is through a City and Guilds or IMI qualification in heavy vehicle maintenance and repair, typically at Level 2 or Level 3. Many technicians complete their training through an apprenticeship at a franchised truck dealership or VMU. Manufacturer-specific training programmes from brands such as DAF, Volvo, MAN and Scania are also valued and often provided by the employer. Venatu confirms the qualification requirements for each role with the employer before presenting candidates. Read about the benefits of the commercial vehicle technician career path in Benefits Of Becoming A HGV/PSV Technician.

Is there a shortage of Commercial Vehicle Technicians in the UK? Yes. The shortage of qualified Commercial Vehicle Technicians is one of the most consistently reported skills gaps in the UK transport sector. An ageing technician population, increased vehicle complexity and the growth of the logistics and fleet sectors are all contributing factors. Employers across franchised dealers, VMUs and independent operators compete actively for experienced technicians. Venatu advises employers on competitive package structures and candidate sourcing strategies to address this challenge.

What diagnostic systems do Commercial Vehicle Technicians use? Major manufacturer diagnostic systems include DAF VCI, Volvo VCADS, MAN-cats, Mercedes-Benz Xentry, Scania SDP3 and Iveco EASY. Independent workshops and VMUs typically supplement manufacturer tools with generic heavy vehicle diagnostic platforms. Familiarity with the relevant manufacturer's diagnostic system is expected for franchised dealer roles. Venatu confirms the exact tooling and training requirements with each employer before presenting candidates.

What does a Commercial Vehicle Technician earn in the UK? Experienced Commercial Vehicle Technicians typically earn between £36,000 and £46,000. Diagnostic and Master Technicians earn between £44,000 and £56,000. Shift premiums for nights, weekends and bank holiday working are standard across many operations and increase effective earnings significantly. Venatu benchmarks package and shift premium expectations with each client before beginning a search.

Can a car technician become a Commercial Vehicle Technician? Yes, though retraining is required. Car technicians with strong diagnostic skills and a genuine interest in heavy vehicles can transition into LCV work as a first step, then progress to heavier categories with employer-supported training. Some employers actively recruit from passenger car backgrounds for LCV technician roles and provide the technical development pathway. Venatu identifies employers willing to support that transition for candidates with the right technical foundation.

Are there opportunities for Mobile Commercial Vehicle Technicians? Yes and demand is growing. Mobile technicians who can diagnose and repair vehicles at roadside, at customer premises or between depots are sought after by breakdown and recovery operators, fleet maintenance contractors and large-scale VMU operations with geographically dispersed fleet requirements. Mobile roles typically attract a higher base salary and include a fully equipped service vehicle. Venatu places both workshop-based and mobile commercial vehicle technicians across the UK.

Register or Enquire

Candidates - Register your CV with your qualifications, vehicle types worked on, manufacturer systems used and preferred working pattern. Venatu will match you to current Commercial Vehicle Technician vacancies across franchised dealers, VMUs and independent operators, including roles not publicly advertised. Browse live vacancies or create a job alert.

Employers - Submit a vacancy or visit the client hub to discuss your commercial vehicle technician requirements. Our team will respond within one working day.