我真正在意的:公共汽車駕照考官

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.

當我見到應試者,我第一個念頭是,"請做好"。通過一個半小時的測試不僅讓他獲得許可證,而且擁有一份工作。雖然失敗使受訓者不愉快,但不合格的司機會對公衆造成傷害。一旦接觸他們我就會評估應試者，英語是否是第一語言或者是否我需要給更詳細的指令?他們明顯緊張,或許在我們啓動前，需要對他們友好一些?他們是否有點自大?另外的跡象常常是緊張所致，我想讓他們儘可能的穩定,爲了他們表現的最好。

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.

他們的能力是明顯的。有時他們造成道路擁堵的問題時，我害怕他們缺乏對問題的認識。除非有迫在眉睫的危險否則我不予干預。一旦爲避免碰撞，我使用了緊急剎車;學員會就放棄公共汽車,離開培訓場地，再也不會出現。

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.

甚至當一個司機做的不錯,注意力不集中而出現小危險。我也需要保持清醒公正評價。碰一下路邊的石頭或是下水道井蓋?有司機注意到平交路口的紅燈閃爍或是他嘗試超越障礙?有時,我的存在會使應試者在棘手的情況下過分地猶豫不決。當我說"你就當我不在時候去做?"這通常會幫助他們。

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?"

大約80%的測試屬於乾脆利索的通過或失敗，很容易做決定。其餘的卻很難。我在想:"是否能讓我的家庭成員成爲你公共汽車的一名乘客?"