Whether you’re looking for PDR training or you want to brush up your skills at PDR school, we’ve created the ultimate list of PDR resources to help you build and grow your business.
PDR Training and Education
Learning the craft of PDR takes time and patience. There are a huge number of PDR training programs and PDR schools to choose from. By investing in PDR training, you are setting yourself up to run a more successful PDR business. Below are some of the best courses available, whether you choose a PDR school or a PDR training program with a master technician.
Vale PDR Certification
Vale PDR Certification is the only PDR certification that’s endorsed by the National Association of Paintless Dent Repair Technicians. For this reason, it is the most widely recognized certification in the industry. To receive certification, you have to do a timed PDR job to the highest quality. Once completed, you will be listed on Vale’s database, verifying your PDR abilities.
The Collision Repair Education Foundation
The Collision Repair Education Foundation supports students to become part of the collision industry. Those interested in obtaining their PDR training can receive help to source funding, grants, or scholarships. Through education and the latest equipment, future PDR professionals can enter the industry with the best training available.
Paintless Dent School
The Paintless Dent School offers small hand-on classes with master instructors with years of experience. In addition to the practical hands-on PDR training, students get marketing tuition to help them run a successful PDR business. Every graduate receives a certificate of completion.
Paintless Dent Repair Training Academy
The Paintless Dent Repair Training Academy has a selection of PDR training packages, which include your toolkit, accessories, and lighting. The hand-on courses are taught one-on-one nationwide and come with certification. You can download the PDR school’s course catalogue for free, here.
Top Gun PDR Training
Top Gun PDR Training is an independent PDR school run by Marty Runik, an industry expert and PDR business owner. He offers one-on-one PDR training for beginners and advanced students. Marty has his own specialized process for teaching his PDR method.
Dent Time PDR Training
Dent Time offers a personal PDR training program, which is hands-on with PDR expert, Myke Toledo. There are two-, three-, and four-week course options depending on the type of learning curve you’d like. Myke’s goal is on creating a PDR training program that focuses on quality rather than speed.
The Ding King Training Institute
The Ding King offers PDR training courses both online and in one-on-one classes. Students receive PDR training from experts in the industry, using state-of-the-art tools and the most up-to-date methods. Every graduate receives a Ding King Certification.
Dentless Touch Training
Dentless Touch is a PDR business that offers a 2-day PDR training course designed and instructed by certified technicians. It’s one of the fastest PDR training programs, but it requires home practice in addition to the work in class.
PDR Associations
PDR Contractors
PDR Contractors is a powerful online resource that serves as a private networking tool for technicians and a search directory for local dent repair solutions.
The PDR Contractors network includes hundreds of PDR technicians throughout the United States and now Canada. New digital features are constantly being added to the website and mobile app, with input from all user groups. Thousands of dent customers visit PDRcontractors.com each month, and the company leverages data to drive targeted digital marketing where it counts.
You can join their network and start a membership here.
NAPDRT (National Alliance of Paintless Dent Repair Technicians)
The NAPDRT is a not-for-profit organization set up by, and for, PDR professionals. It aims to educate both consumers and technicians on the importance of high-quality PDR work. And it provides members with a network of like-minded people seeking to elevate the PDR industry as a whole. It costs $100 per year to join, and you’re given access to PDR training, seminars, tool discounts, and other benefits.
PDR Nation
PDR Nation is an international nonprofit trade organization that supports independent PDR professionals. It encourages and helps technicians to raise standards in the industry through continued education on proper repair and business practices.
PDR Nation’s certification program includes a Customer Service Indexing (CSI) system for each certified technician, which is based on reviews provided by employers and customers. To keep your publically listed CSI rating high, you have to complete classes and maintain the highest standards of work.
Automotive Service Association (ASA)
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) works to advance the auto repair industry through education and representation in Congress. ASA’s legislative website, takingthehill.com, keeps industry professionals updated on all regulations that could affect their collision repair business. The NAPDRT is a supporting association member of the ASA.
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) offers a certification for individual auto repair technicians. To achieve ASE certification for structural and non-structural auto body repair, technicians have to pass a test, along with certified PDR experience.
Automotive Management Institute
The Automotive Management Institute (AMI) is a nonprofit organization that provides professional management designations and certifications to the collision repair industry. AMI works with trainers to review, recognize, and award quality management and education in the collision industry, including PDR.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
The NHTSA issues Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) to implement laws and regulations to help prevent and reduce crashes.
It provides guidelines for PDR professionals on the appropriate use of PDR.
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PDR Books
A Complete Guide to Starting a Paintless Dent Repair Business
This book is a comprehensive guide for anyone looking into starting a PDR business or for ways of improving and growing their current business. It covers everything from the best tools to the best PDR methods and how to maximize profits.
PDR Paintless Dent Removal/Repair Training Manual Book
This PDR training manual is created by Dent Time as part of it’s training program, but has useful tips and tricks for any PDR professional.
PDR Publications
AAA Automotive Technology Updates (ATUs)
AAA Automotive Technology Updates (ATUs) provide information on commonly asked questions related to vehicle use and maintenance. You can read the ATU for PDR here.
PDR Blogs
Many PDR businesses have useful blogs, like Auto Dent Company, where you can learn from those in the industry. Paintless Pros is a PDR blog aimed at professionals. You can also look for blogs from businesses that also offer PDR training programs, such as Dent Time or Top Gun PDR Training.
PDR Video Content
Real World PDR
Real World PDR offers a selection of PDR training courses, workshops, and PDR marketing tips. The online videos are provided by a master technician, who repairs real dents in a real shop environment.
You can also choose to sign up to PDR Monthly, which sends updates on the latest content and new courses. Real World PDR is for anyone interested in professional PDR work, from the beginner to the advanced technician.
DentTrainer.com
DentTrainer.com is an online PDR training program from Dent Time. You can access one free video per month or can pay a subscription to gain access to hundreds of video tutorials. The educational content is hosted by experts from the PDR industry sharing their tips and techniques. Students of Dent Time receive a free subscription for a year.
Professional PDR Videos on YouTube
Many businesses in the industry post free PDR training content on their website and YouTube channels. Dent Time and Dentless Touch are two popular channels with lots of useful free PDR training content.
PDR Events
DREAM (Dent Repair Expo and More)
The DREAM online trade show was designed with PDR professionals in mind. Attendees will have the opportunity to visit vendor booths, view live streaming videos of industry experts, join video meeting chat rooms and have private video or chat discussions with vendors and other attendees. No traveling needed! Do it all from your home or shop.
Dent Trainer Mega Media Event
The Dent Trainer Mega Media Event is a 3-day event designed to help your grow your PDR business with Dent Trainer’s “Mega Media Process”. This special marketing package includes a photo shoot, a video shoot, social media training, and more.
Mobile Tech Expo
Mobile Tech Expo, taking place in Orlando in February 2021, is one of the biggest events for auto recon professionals. Attendees have the opportunity to see more than 100 exhibitors, with everything from tools to business services. You can also take advantage of MTE’s education lineup with experts from every part of the auto industry.
I-CAR Conference
I-CAR®, the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair, is a free virtual conference for anyone in the collision repair industry. The event seeks to help I-CAR achieve its goal of educating professionals on performing safe and high-quality collision repairs.
The SEMA Show
The SEMA Show is taking place November 3 to 6, 2020 in Las Vegas. It is one of the biggest auto trade shows in the world. In addition to thousands of exhibitors, there are education seminars, product demos, and more. The event is designed to bring the latest products and technology to anyone working in the auto industry.
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