John’s Stop Sign

This is my speech transcript in a Toastmasters Club.

An introduction

I am going to tell a story about how I got my full driver licence in New Zealand.

Why do I need a full driver licence?

After I came to New Zealand and started learning at Wintec, I wanted to find a part-time job to support myself since my courses are not so intensive. However, most of the job descriptions said that applicants must have a full driver’s licence. As a matter of fact, I can convert my Chinese driver’s licence to a temporary one in New Zealand, and I’m allowed to drive for up to one year, but I realised it is totally different to drive in this country. Not only because I should drive on the left side, but also because the rules are different from those in China. So, I decided to apply for a full driver licence here.

Comparing Chinese and New Zealand’s traffic

In China, I had to sound my horn very often when I was driving, because some cars are always running out from a small path to the main road without giving way, and e-bike riders always make a sharp turn without indicating. I have to brake suddenly to give way to them to avoid a collision. After driving for so many years in such chaotic traffic, I have become very good at giving way at any moment. I am able to predict whether a car is going to run out and sound my horn to warn it. It is very challenging to drive in China. I am absolutely exhausted even after driving for a short time.

Many people don’t observe the rules, and nobody gets punished when they break some rules. Drivers and pedestrians are more civilised than before, but there is a long way to go.

Start learning

It is necessary to learn the road code in New Zealand because I want to drive safely.

It was easy to pass the theory test. I spent two weeks learning and passed.

Then I enrolled in a driving course at AA to learn how to drive. I wanted to know how to drive on a roundabout; there are not so many roundabouts in China. I was confused about when I should drive into a roundabout and how to indicate.

I learned to drive comprehensively with an experienced practitioner after 5 lessons. He told me how to drive into a roundabout, how to give way, how to turn left or right, and how to drive through a cross with traffic lights. I have changed some bad habits. I have been driving for 5 years, so I learned quickly. The tutor said I was doing well and sent his good wishes to me. “Send me a message after you pass”, he said. “I am waiting for your good news. Good luck!”

I thought it would be easy to pass a practical test. Then I started my long, exciting and a little bit embarrassing journey to get my full driver’s licence. I took 4 practical tests to get my licence.

4 practical tests

*The first test.*

I made two mistakes in my first test. The first one was that I drove too slowly on a main road. The speed limit is 60 km/h, but I was driving at the speed of 30 km/h. My tutor told me not to drive slower than 55 km/h, but I didn’t follow his advice in the test. I was thinking that the slower I drive, the safer I am. Unfortunately, it is absolutely wrong, because I blocked the traffic behind me. I am a good driver in China because I care about others and drive slowly so that I can stop immediately. I thought it was the same in New Zealand. Apparently, it is not.

The second mistake was that I blocked traffic behind me again when I was turning right. I waited for too long and missed two or three gaps.

My mind has changed to some extent after this test.

*The second test*

To get my licence as soon as possible, I booked my second test in Te Rapa next week, because the tests at VTNZ Frankton are fully booked for a month.

Unfortunately, there was something wrong with my rear light. The rear light should be yellow when I turn on the left indicator, but it was white. The first examiner didn’t notice that, but the second one noticed. It was too late to rent another car. As a result, I failed the second test.

*The third test*

Although I was frustrated, I booked my third test at VTNZ Frankton a month later. I am familiar with the roads near it. I had wasted too much time, and I wanted to pass this test as soon as possible, so I was always driving on the road near it. I accelerated to 60 km/h on a main road and turned right or left at the first gap. Good practice makes perfect.

I drove to VTNZ Frankton on that day. A very familiar examiner came to me and asked, “What’s your name, please?” He was the same one from my first test. I didn’t feel well, and it was too late to change my name or reschedule. I said, “Yes.”

He checked my car, and I started my test. I didn’t make the same mistakes twice, so I was driving up to 60 km/h after the sign and turning right as soon as possible.

When I stopped my car in the test centre, the examiner said, “You did very well. You were driving within the speed limit, neither too slow nor too fast. But there is only one fatal mistake you made. Unfortunately, you didn’t succeed.”

“Oh, no. What’s the mistake?” I asked.

“You didn’t stop your car in front of a stop sign”, he said.

“But I remember there was no car, and I should take the first gap”, I argued.

“You should stop for 3 seconds whether there are cars or not”, he said. “Other examiners might allow you to pass, but I don’t. Many drivers failed their tests because they didn’t stop in front of that sign, so they call it ‘John’s Stop Sign’. You will lose 20 merits if there is a policeman.”

“Wait! So, you are John, right?” I asked.

“Yes, I am”, he said.

Sadly, I failed my third practical test. I learned a lesson from my three tests and asked John many questions. He is very friendly and gives me very constructive advice. I don’t hate him anymore.

The fourth test

I booked my fourth practical test immediately after that. Since I got a lot of experience and spent a lot of money on these tests, I am a good driver now. What I need is a full driver’s licence. Finally, I passed my fourth practical test.

Conclusion

It is impossible in China. I was forced to bribe the examiner by my tutor in China, and I hate it. I was driving slowly because I knew I was not a good driver. Fortunately, I became a really good driver in New Zealand with the help of my practitioner and John.

Perhaps that is what makes this country different, because there are many people enforcing the rules.