The concepts "motive" and "motivation" and their role in the learning process of the technical university are analyzed. The following types of motives were distinguished: internal learning motivation related to learning activities and their content and external learning motivation not related to learning activities and their content but determined by external factors and circumstances. Learning motivation is associated with various changes that occur in students during the learning process. To identify the motivation in firstyear students, they were tested. Driving motives were identified. The results showed that students prefer real learning motives (to use acquired knowledge in life, to continue successful training in subsequent courses, to get good marks, to acquire deep knowledge and intellectual satisfaction). The authors examined motivating methods and techniques. Motivation is a tool used to improve the learning process.SHS Web of Conferences 69, 00010 (2019)