Free Roadside Assistance Workshop at the Petersen

Most of us only think about a flat tire or a dead battery when it is already happening, usually somewhere inconvenient. The Petersen Automotive Museum is offering a morning to get ahead of that. Its Roadside Assistance Workshop is a one-day, hands-on class led by the museum's own mechanics, and it is one of the more practical things happening in Los Angeles this weekend.

When: Saturday, Nov 7, 2026, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM Where: Petersen Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles Cost: Free

What the workshop covers

The museum describes the session as a place where preparedness meets confidence. Participants work through essential skills for the common problems drivers run into on the road, guided by mechanics who work on cars for a living. The format is hands-on rather than a lecture, so expect to handle the tools and the car yourself instead of watching from a seat.

The workshop is part of a set of one-day sessions the Petersen has introduced on the care and maintenance of automobiles. This one focuses on what to do when something goes wrong away from home. For anyone who has put off learning how to deal with a breakdown, a three-hour Saturday morning class with a mechanic beside you is a low-pressure way to start.

Who it is for

The class suits new drivers, people who have never opened a hood and anyone whose roadside knowledge has gone rusty. It also welcomes participants ages 12 and up, who can attend with a guardian. That makes it a good fit for a parent and a teenager who is close to learning to drive, and for young car enthusiasts who want practical knowledge to go with the interest.

Guardians who come along only to accompany a minor and do not take part in the class do not need a ticket of their own. The workshop is a free Petersen Education program for guests ages 12 and up.

Planning your visit

The workshop is free, but check the museum's event page for how to reserve a spot, since classes like this can fill up. If you are scanning upcoming events in Los Angeles for something useful and low-cost, this one is easy to fit into a Saturday.

The museum sits at 6060 Wilshire Blvd, on the Miracle Mile, and several Metro Local bus lines run along Wilshire. If you drive, plan a few extra minutes for parking, as Saturday mornings on the Miracle Mile can be busy. Wear closed-toe shoes and clothes you do not mind getting a little dirty, because a workshop with mechanics is unlikely to be spotless.

The museum runs other behind-the-scenes programs around the same time, including a Petersen Shop Tour on the same morning. For more picks, browse the arts and culture category.