When I meet the candidate, my first thought is, "Please do well." Passing the one-and-a-half-hour test is not just about them acquiring a licence; it means a job. Having to fail a trainee is unpleasant, but the public need to be protected from unsuitable drivers. I'm assessing the candidates as soon as I meet them. Is English their first language or do I need to give instructions a little more carefully? Are they obviously nervous and do they need a few friendly words before we start? Are they a bit cocky? Often another sign of nerves. I want them to be as settled as possible, so they can deliver their best performance.
当我见到应试者,我第一个念头是,"请做好"。通过一个半小时的测试不仅让他获得许可证,而且拥有一份工作。虽然失败使受训者不愉快,但不合格的司机会对公众造成伤害。一旦接触他们我就会评估应试者，英语是否是第一语言或者是否我需要给更详细的指令?他们明显紧张,或许在我们启动前，需要对他们友好一些?他们是否有点自大?另外的迹象常常是紧张所致，我想让他们尽可能的稳定,为了他们表现的最好。
Their ability is apparent early on. Sometimes I cringe at the lack of awareness of problems they're causing other road users. I don't intervene unless there's imminent danger. I once used the emergency brake to prevent a near collision; the trainee promptly abandoned the bus and marched off across fields, never to be seen again.
他们的能力是明显的。有时他们造成道路拥堵的问题时，我害怕他们缺乏对问题的认识。除非有迫在眉睫的危险否则我不予干预。一旦为避免碰撞，我使用了紧急刹车;学员会就放弃公共汽车,离开培训场地，再也不会出现。Even when a driver is doing well, there's a danger of them losing concentration. I need to stay alert to make a fair assessment. Was that bump the kerb, or just a drain cover? Has the driver noticed the flashing red lights at the level crossing ahead, or will he try to race the barriers? Sometimes, my presence makes the candidate unduly hesitant in tricky situations. When I say, "What would you do if I wasn't here?" it usually helps them.
甚至当一个司机做的不错,注意力不集中而出现小危险。我也需要保持清醒公正评价。碰一下路边的石头或是下水道井盖?有司机注意到平交路口的红灯闪烁或是他尝试超越障碍?有时,我的存在会使应试者在棘手的情况下过分地犹豫不决。当我说"你就当我不在时候去做?"这通常会帮助他们。
About 80% of the tests are clear-cut passes or fails, making the decision easy. The rest are harder to call. I'm thinking, "Would I like a member of my family to be a passenger on your bus?"
大约80%的测试属于干脆利索的通过或失败，很容易做决定。其余的却很难。我在想:"是否能让我的家庭成员成为你公共汽车的一名乘客?"