A report from the Institute of the Motor Industry in the United Kingdom has urged the government to introduce a licensing scheme for mechanics, making it illegal for untrained technicians to work on electric and hybrid vehicles.
Professor Jim Saker from the Loughborough University's centre for Automotive management says the rate of technological change in vehicles makes a licensing system for mechanics absolutely imperative.
“Anyone working on these high voltage vehicles needs to be properly trained, accredited and licensed,” he said.
Further to the matter of licensing for electric and hybrid vehicles, the CEO of the Institute of the Motor Industry says “As the volumes of new vehicles grow, there are thousands of unqualified technicians that will be challenged and without some sort of license requiring them to be properly trained and qualified, the service and repair sector will not invest in that kind of training.”
The Current Situation
The push for licensing in the automotive repair industry is nothing new. As it stands, in many countries, anybody can legally start an automotive repair business and offer services to the public, no matter their level of expertise or experience.
But it turns out, that’s not what the general public think! One poll found that over 70% of mechanics customers believed that repairers are regulated by the government.
Licensing – The Benefits
Many industry participants argue that introducing a minimum professional standard in the form of a government-issued ‘license to trade’ would prevent rogue mechanics, increase the safety of vehicles on our roads and lift the reputation of the automotive repair industry in general.
Many make the point that the plumber working on your taps is required to hold an appropriate licence, but the mechanic working on arguably more dangerous piece of equipment - your car - isn’t.
Many motorists are completely unaware of how vulnerable they are when choosing a repairer with many service providers not needing any qualifications to operate or facing any independent checks on their competence to work on vehicles.
Licensing – The Case Against
Others believe that licensing is unnecessary, and would only add an expensive level of bureaucracy to the industry and that red tape would force costs up for both repairs and the consumer.
Where do you stand?
Are you for or against an accreditation or licensing scheme?
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