Came across a download about 10 point walkaround check but have some concerns/confusion about this. It said roughly:
- Stand at front of vehicle, open grille, check for damage to various components [ALL WELL AND GOOD IF YOU ARE A MECHANIC], top up reservoirs if necessary.
- Get into cab insert tacho, turn on ignition, let air reservoirs build up, etc…
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Now surely you would want to put tacho in first to start recording “other work”?
I’m sure if you got a job with a decent permanent employer they would give you proper induction, training, maybe pair you up with an experienced driver for a while. But what happens with agency work. Could you turn up at a job and they just give you the keys, point to the vehicle and you are on your own?
Do most companies have mechanics that deal with replenishing fluids or does this need to be checked (unless I presume you use same vehicle all the time and get to know when this needs to be done).
Or am I worrying needlessly?
You’re worrying needlessly,put in the tacho and knock it back to whatever time you start.
Oil levels will either be dipstick or on the dash screen,quite difficult to check screen wash but could always top up to be sure,some coolant bottles are visible if they ain’t then crack on you’ll soon find out if it’s empty. 
Passed car test back in 97 hardly driven since then so I suppose once you get used to it will be better. Subject to passing C of course!
when i passed they didnt teach the walk round checks but now they do, so dont worry you will be shown all that when you train, i had to work it out for myself. agency jobs will pretty much be “heres the keys, thats your truck, crack on drive” they will assume youre experienced because thats what the agency will tell them. if you dont know, ask, simples. at least you dont need to use analogue tachos. when i started i had never seen one before, in my first day nerves i filled it out wrong and put it in back to front… but you learn.
Nowadays most of the fluid levels are monitored by sensors in modern trucks so the checks can be carried out simply by seeing if there is a warning on the dash. If there are no warnings then the levels are okay. This is even more likely to be the case if the containers are not visible (e.g. a screen wash bottle buried deep under the steps on the passenger side).
Max-Cady:
Or am I worrying needlessly?
Maybe, but I guess different things worry different people. I’m a newbie as well, and I’m not the slightest bit worried about things like that. Yes I might be technically minded, but that’s not the point. I AM A NEWBIE, I CAN ASK!!!
Don’t be embarrassed about asking people something. Yes there may be a time you ask a seemingly silly question. But they will much prefer someone who asks, compared to someone who doesn’t ask at all and makes loads of mistakes.
It’s just when you ask the same question multiple times, other will start to worry! 