Best Auto Mechanic Schools In Virginia Ranked For 2026

The Automotive Technology Associate of Applied Science requires 68 credits across five semesters and covers engine repair, transmissions, suspension, brakes, and engine performance.

Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair requires 25 credits over two semesters, while Automotive Technician requires 18 credits over two semesters.

The AAS prepares students for national ASE exams, the A/C Refrigerant Recovery License, and the Virginia State Inspection License.

Tidewater offers manufacturer specialization courses connected to Ford, Honda, Chrysler, Toyota, and Subaru, combining theory, hands-on work, and live-shop experience.

Tidewater Tech-Trades says full-time students could graduate from the Auto Technician Program in 48 weeks.

Students practice vehicle maintenance, inspection, diagnosis, and repair, including pre-alignment checks, power-steering flushing, and automatic-transmission diagnosis.

The listed areas include steering and suspension, brakes and anti-lock brakes, engine repair, electrical and electronics, engine performance, and HVAC systems.

The program says students have opportunities to earn industry-recognized certifications and prepares them to pursue ASE certification.

ATI describes its Automotive Technician program as 15 months and says the program aligns with ASE Master Certified standards.

Training covers gasoline, diesel, and hybrid engines, steering and suspension, brake systems, automatic and manual transmissions, climate control, and electrical and electronic systems.

Audi, GM, and Ford manufacturer training is integrated into ATI's Automotive Technology program across several vehicle brands.

Students can add an Associate's degree through 15 additional weeks of Trades Leadership coursework in communication, computing, and critical thinking.

Students study internal-combustion engine performance, automotive electricity, vehicle circuits, batteries, starters, charging systems, and electrical troubleshooting.

The curriculum includes powertrains, transmissions, fuel systems, alignment, suspension and steering, hydraulic brakes, ABS systems, and parking brakes.

NOVA includes shop safety, technical writing, customer service strategies, repair estimate preparation, and shop-management concepts alongside hands-on repair practice.

NOVA partners with the Automobile Dealer Education Institute to connect students with apprenticeship opportunities at dealerships in the region.

Germanna lists the Automotive Diagnostician credential as a one-year certificate with an estimated program cost of $4,860.

The certificate provides knowledge and skills in four Automotive Service Excellence areas of certification recognized by the automotive industry.

AUT 100 covers automotive laboratory and shop safety, hand-tool identification and use, and standard shop maintenance practices.

AUT 121 covers domestic and foreign fuel systems, while AUT 245 applies electronic principles to modern automobile circuits and digital warning systems.

The program lists an Automotive Analysis and Repair AAS, Automotive Mechanical Systems certificate, Automotive Undercar and HVAC Systems certificate, and Automotive Fuel and Electrical Systems certificate.

Students perform testing and repair work on late-model vehicles using state-of-the-art equipment in Blue Ridge's automotive laboratory.

The program places strong emphasis on electronics and computerized engine control systems as part of its automotive analysis and repair work.

Students may work at a local service facility for at least 10 hours each week and receive college credit through cooperative education.

The diploma takes four semesters and requires a minimum of 64 credits, with 75 percent of the curriculum in automobile technology courses.

The sequence includes automotive electricity, braking, fuel and ignition, emissions diagnosis, engines, alignment, suspension and steering, drivetrains, and heating and air conditioning.

AUT 233 Automotive Hybrid Electric Vehicle Technology appears in the third semester alongside inspection, engines, and alignment coursework.

The program is competency based and uses specific classroom and shop exercises, with college facilities that include current equipment and test vehicles.

The spring 2026 schedule offered Fuel Systems I, Final Drive and Manual Transmission, Automotive Electricity I, and Automatic Transmission I in person at Keysville.

AUT 178 includes three lecture and three lab hours per week, covering clutches, manual transmissions, differentials, drive axles, and four- and all-wheel-drive systems.

AUT 251 includes two lecture and six laboratory hours per week. Students study torque converters, operation, adjustment, maintenance, and rebuilding.

AUT 121 covers fuel delivery, injection, carburetors, superchargers, and turbochargers. AUT 241 applies electrical theory to charging, starting, lighting, instruments, and gauges.

The Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair Career Studies Certificate requires 16 credits in the 2026-2027 college catalog.

Required courses are Introduction to Automotive Systems, Automotive Electricity I, Automotive Braking Systems, Auto Alignment Suspension and Steering, and Automotive Engines I.

The program teaches vehicle-system purpose and function, identifies component relationships, and introduces basic diagnosis to determine whether a system works as designed.

The catalog names auto mechanic, service advisor, maintenance technician, parts clerk, and service writer as occupational objectives for the certificate.

Virginia Western lists Automotive Analysis and Repair as a Career Studies Certificate that takes two semesters or one year to complete.

The program combines lectures and hands-on training, with students learning diagnostic skills, vehicle maintenance, and vehicle repair from experienced technicians.

Virginia Western specifically describes night classes as part of the Automotive Analysis and Repair certificate format.

The college's credit policy allows up to 12 credits for qualifying ASE certification, including Automotive Electricity, Automotive Braking System, and Auto Alignment Suspension and Steering courses.

The certificate is delivered in person, requires 34 credit hours, and is designed for completion in one year across three full-time semesters.

Reynolds describes the certificate as preparation for apprentice-level technician work through current diagnostic and repair procedures.

Students complete a required internship that applies certificate skills in a real-world automotive repair setting and builds industry experience.

The certificate integrates into Reynolds' General Automotive Associate of Applied Science degree for students who want to continue their automotive education.

The Career Studies Certificate requires 29 credits across two semesters, with 17 credits in the first semester and 12 in the second.

Training includes automotive scanner diagnostics, precision measurement, multimeter use, wheel service and alignment, and battery starting and charging systems.

Courses cover fuel and ignition, automotive electricity, engines, braking, alignment, suspension and steering, and heating and air conditioning.

Students may earn NC3 Snap-on and Automotive Service Excellence credentials in addition to the Career Studies Certificate.

Automotive courses are offered at the Hampton Campus in daytime and evening sections and take place in the Automotive Lab building.

The program is open entry and open exit, meaning students may start in any semester according to the published program information.

The certificate covers engine performance, electrical diagnostics, and vehicle maintenance with instruction from industry-experienced faculty.

For fall 2026 through summer 2027, Virginia residents pay a published tuition-and-fee rate of $181.70 per credit hour and out-of-state students at $398.80 per credit hour.

Danville lists Automotive Analysis and Repair as a diploma and Automotive Analysis and Repair Fundamentals as a Career Studies Certificate.

The program materials describe training in automotive powertrain, engines, transmissions, final drives, fuel and electrical systems, suspension repair and alignment, climate control, and computerized engine diagnostics.

In a February 8, 2024 news item, Danville described hands-on learning supported by a Mustang chassis dynamometer, new tools, a MIG welder, vehicle scanners, and diagnostic software.

Danville describes a foundation in automotive theory, diagnostics, repair techniques, and emerging technologies for automotive work.

The Career Studies Certificate serves students in Accomack County Public Schools’ dual-enrollment automotive program.

The certificate prepares students for an entry-level position in an automotive repair facility, according to the VCCS program description.

AUT 101 introduces engine fuel, exhaust, electrical, ignition, lubrication, cooling, transmission, steering, brake, and suspension systems.

VCCS lists Automotive Electrical Diagnostics, Braking Systems Diagnostics, and Steering and Suspension Systems Diagnostics among Eastern Shore's automotive courses.