Failing your test

In other words if we adopted German Licensing standards for cars, then upgrading to a CDL wouldn't be like going from high school biology to med school.

 

You are missing the entire point of a pre-trip inspection. You expect the company to send a mechanic out to whatever truck stop you're at every day to look the truck over and make sure there aren't any maintenance issues?

Here are the under the hood items that you consider to be PhD level:

Hoses
Belts
Air Lines
Electrical Wiring
Alternator
Water Pump
Power Steering Pump
Air Compressor
Fluid levels

If you can't glance under the hood and make sure it's in good enough condition to drive, then you don't belong behind the wheel of a CMV.

 

I counted at least 40 things you have to know in the manual just for vehicle inspection.

 

Do most truckers even do full inspections every day?

 

No. Go to any truck stop and sit and observe. I bet you could count on one hand how many drivers actually do a full pre-trip according to DOT standards. Myself included, I am not bashful to say it. When it comes to your test (if you don't already have CDL) just remember "I am looking at xyz and it isn't bent, broken, damaged or missing". Good chance the person watching you do your test is going to get sick of hearing the same thing and just tell you to move on.