About the Technician Skills Competition
TTA's Technician Skills Competition is an annual event designed to measure thorough knowledge of medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicles, including theory and practical application. The contest consists of a written test and hands-on testing. All tools, manuals, and equipment necessary are provided.
The competition will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at the Nashville Fairgrounds Expo Center Building # 1, at 320 Wedgewood Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203.
View the photos from the 2025 Technician Skills Competition here.Â
Register for Technician Skills Competition
Ready to register for the TSC? Online registration is quick and the steps below will walk you through the process to register contestants and/or purchase extra lunches.
Please review the instructions carefully before getting started.
ONLINE REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS Â :Â
- Scroll down the registration page until you see the email field.
- Enter your email address and select "GO."
- Next, enter your first and last name, then click "CONTINUE."
- You’ll then be able to choose your registration options, including the number of contestants and any sponsorship level (if applicable). Be ready with all contestant information to complete this section.
- After filling in contestant details, click "CONTINUE" again to add extra lunches.
PLEASE NOTE: If you only need extra lunches, leave the contestant information empty and click "CONTINUE" after step 3 to go directly to the lunch purchase section.
TO REGISTER ONLINE:Â Click Here Â
(For a video walkthrough on how to register, click here.)
TO REGISTER WITH A FORM:Â Click Here If submitting a form, please email the completed form(s) to Marty Pollock at (Mpollock@tntrucking.org)
Please note that Registration closes after the first 45 entries are received or by April 1, 2026, whichever comes first.
Sponsor the Technician Skills Competition
Your support helps make the Tennessee Trucking Association Technician Skills Competition possible. Sponsorships offset event costs not covered by registration fees and allow us to recognize, reward, and invest in the technicians who keep Tennessee’s trucking industry safe and moving.
EXPO Center Sponsor – $2,500
• Banner displayed, verbal recognition, and one complimentary competition entry
Insurance Sponsor – $1,500
• Company name displayed, verbal recognition, and one complimentary competition entry
Station Sponsor – $1,000 (Limited availability)
• Company name displayed at a skills station, verbal recognition, and one complimentary competition entry
Lunch Sponsor – $1,000
• Company name displayed, verbal recognition, and one complimentary competition entry
Trophy Sponsor – $750
• Company name displayed and verbal recognition
Written Test Sponsor – $500
• Company name displayed and verbal recognition
Cash Awards Sponsor – $250
• Company name displayed and verbal recognition
Sponsor online or by form: Click here to sponsor online or download the form and email the completed form to cfoster@tntrucking.org to be invoiced.
Registration & Competition Details
GENERAL RULES
• This competition is open to any technician who is employed by a TTA member company.
• This competition is open to members who live in a State surrounding TN that does not have a skills competition.
• Each competitor is only allowed to compete in one State competition.
• Each competitor’s company must have a terminal/shop in TN.
• All competitors must register by submitting the application or registering online by April 1, 2026.
• TSC registration will close after the first 45 entries are received.
SAFETY INFORMATIONÂ
• All competitors must wear appropriate long pants and work shoes meeting accepted safety standards. All other safety-related items will be provided.
• Safety glasses with side shields (provided) must be worn at all times during the hands-on skills challenge.
• Standard shop safety procedures must be followed at all times.
• All spills must be cleaned up immediately.
• Any accident or injury must be reported to the section judge.
COMPETITION DATE:Â
Competitors will meet on Thursday at 7:00 AM, April 9, 2026, in Expo Building 1 for an overview and schedule of events.
Roll call will be promptly at 7:15 am on Thursday, April 9, 2026. The competition will begin at 7:30 am.
COMPETITION LOCATION:Â
Nashville Fairgrounds Expo Center Building # 1, at 320 Wedgewood Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203.
TTA recommendation Hotel close by: Candlewood Suites Nashville South, 4697 Trousdale Drive, Nashville TN 37204. 629-333-0900
ENTRY FEE:Â $125.00 (Lunch provided with each registration)
Deadline to Enter April 1, 2026. No refunds after April 1, 2026.
Send checks to: TTA, 4531 Trousdale Drive, Nashville, TN 37204.
If submitting a physical form, please email it to mpollock@tntrucking.org.
QUESTIONS? CALL US AT 615-777-2882!
SCORINGÂ
Judge’s scores will reflect an assessment of technical skills and knowledge, accuracy, and quality of workmanship.
The scoring of each workstation will be based on 100 points and count for a calculated percentage of the final competition score. Judges will consist of recognized experts within each competition category.
SKILL STATION GUIDELINESÂ
Contestants will have 25 minutes at each station and 5 minutes between sessions to move to the next station and then receive orientation on that task.
See examples of possible stations below. (Actual stations may vary.)Â
1. Service Information:Â Demonstrate ability to retrieve service information from currently accepted industry sources.
2. Electrical:Â Troubleshoot, service, and repair electrical systems, including charging, lighting, and cranking systems.
3. Transmission:Â Troubleshoot, service, and repair drive train units, including transmission, clutch, carriers, torque converters, and drivelines.
4. Fasteners:Â To identify and troubleshoot various types of fasteners used on a Class 8 vehicle. Remove and replace as needed.
5. Suspension:Â Identify and troubleshoot various failures related to suspension systems on class 8 vehicles.
6. Preventive Maintenance Inspection (PMI):Â Demonstrate ability to perform preventive maintenance check procedures.
7. Wheel End:Â Troubleshoot and identify faults in wheel-end systems.
8. Brake:Â Identify, service, and troubleshoot conditions in air braking systems.
9. Engine:Â Troubleshoot, service, and repair engine induction, fuel, exhaust, and after-treatment systems.
10. Fifth Wheel:Â Troubleshoot and identify fifth wheel systems.
11. Precision Measuring:Â Demonstrate ability to properly use precision measuring tools/equipment.
12. TMC RP’s: Demonstrate the ability to locate and identify TMC’s Recommended Practices.
13. Coolant and DEF: Identify proper coolant and DEF, along with testing procedures according to TMC’s Recommended Practices.
14. Written Test: Provided by the Professional Technician Development Committee of the American Trucking Association’s Technology and Maintenance Council.
Communication between contestants and spectators outside of the immediate skills station area is prohibited. Spectators are to be in a viewing area outside of the skill station.
Only authorized individuals may enter individual skill stations.
CONTESTANTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Every effort will be made to accommodate contestants with special needs. These needs must be identified on the competition entry and release form.
AWARDSÂ
Cash will be awarded for the top score in each category, including the written test, as well as a Grand Champion.
LUNCH
Will be provided at each contestant’s corresponding station.
Additional tickets will be available for non-contestants.
Lunchtime could vary based on the number of contestants and the number of stations.