Amy and James Barely Legal Drivers

Britain's young drivers are some of the most dangerous in Europe.

One in every three drivers who die on UK roads is 25 or under.

One in ten young people have been in a crash

that has resulted in death or serious injury.

One in five young drivers has a crash

within six months of passing their test.

In this series, we're following inexperienced teens

to see what they're really like behind the wheel.

Ooh, bloody hell!

Fasten your seatbelts, because each week,

two novices will be let loose on the road in their family car.

They believe we're filming a slice of modern teenage life.

Come on!

But in fact, it's all about their driving.

Oh, my God!

My flaming car!

And what they don't know is that their parents

will be watching their every manoeuvre.

The cars are fitted with state of the art cameras,

and a hidden telemetry recorder that secretly tracks their every move.

-THEY SCREAM

-She's posing!

Oh, my God!

Each team will go on three road trips,

geared towards testing every aspect of their driving.

And at the end of it all, aided and abetted by a former traffic cop,

the parents will have a decision to make.

I weren't happy with her.

I find it really hard to keep my mouth shut.

If they don't like the way the teens operate behind the wheel,

both of them could end up with advanced diving lessons.

But if they think they're good enough,

we'll give the parents the cash

to buy their kids a car they can call their very own.

Tonight, we meet two teens who love life.

Glamour girl, Amy Smith,

who wants to be Yorkshire's answer to Katie Price...

What am I doing? What am I doing?

..and James Hebb, an identical twin from Middlesbrough.

Mate, did you see the car swing back there?

I thought it was going to tip!

Will it be a reward or retribution for either of these teens,

when their parents get to see them behind the wheel?

Whoa! What are you doing?

Oh, my God! That's ridiculous!

Can I go?

-I'm not, I'm not, I'm not.

-Ooh!

Welcome to Barely Legal Drivers.

This is 19-year-old Amy Smith,

a business student living at home near Halifax, Yorkshire,

with divorced mum, Lisa.

Amy has her heart set on becoming a glamour model.

The modelling dream, like, started with Katie Price.

She really, really does inspire me,

cos obviously, she's come from nothing, and built her way up.

Like her heroine, Amy loves the limelight when she's out.

As mum Lisa knows only too well.

Amy looks a little bit like a Katie Price stunt double,

and she looks pretty much like a hooker,

with the clothes that she wears. But she's actually very intelligent.

There's a brain under there...somewhere!

The family recently had a big scare.

Mother's Day last year, I went to work and collapsed,

and I woke up in intensive care,

and that's when they discovered that I had a brain tumour.

It was news that had a huge impact on Amy's relationship with her mum.

I just feel a lot more protective of her.

I don't like leaving her on her own.

If I sleep at my boyfriend's, I'll only sleep one night and come back.

You know, and going on holiday,

I don't like the idea of going on holiday,

because I don't want to leave her.

Lisa's sister, Amanda, has witnessed first-hand

how Amy's life has changed.

It made Amy grow up really, really quickly.

Because her mum's been ill for a year, really.

And, unfortunately, she's had a lot of responsibility.

But she's handled it really well, and she just gets on with it,

and she doesn't complain.

They don't come across as mother and daughter,

which is where I step in and occasionally act like the mother.

Although Mum, Lisa, is on the road to recovery,

life still hasn't got back to normal.

When I went to see the consultant in Leeds,

he said having the operation would mean I wouldn't be able to drive.

To be honest, that was worse than the tumour!

I can't be without a car!

Obviously, she hasn't got her licence back now,

so I've got a driving licence, but no car, so a car would just mean...

It would just make everything a lot easier.

She's got a lot of appointments as well, at the hospital.

It would be nice to take her, rather than getting on a train

at six, seven o'clock in the morning.

There's no doubt a car would transform Amy and Lisa's lives.

First though, Mum, Lisa, will need to secretly watch Amy's week

both behind the wheel and when she's partying.

As a mother, I'm worried for her safety,

cos she hasn't got any experience whatsoever.

But I'm dying to see what she's like when I'm not there.

I hope she doesn't embarrass me too much!

This is 19-year-old James Hebb,

an identical twin from Middlesbrough,

who was born six minutes before his brother, Brian.

My mum and dad couldn't tell us apart when we were young,

hence why as 14-years-old, we got tattoos on our arms.

We got our names, James and Brian, on our arms,

so that they can tell the difference!

We have our arguments, obviously,

but he'll never put me second above a girl.

No matter how much he loved her.

He'd always put his family and me first.

The twins' parents divorced a few years ago,

and the split has made the boys protective of their mum, Dawn.

They do show me loads of love

and they'll kiss me and cuddle me all the time.

To me, it's like having £1 million in the bank anyway,

because they're priceless.

James and Brian used to work together as scaffolders,

but were both made redundant.

When Brian got an apprenticeship with the Fire Brigade,

James was left jobless.

When Brian found a job as a fireman, I was happy for him.

Girls love a fireman, don't they?

And he's got a sleeve tattoo as well.

So it's like he's got the perfect little job.

Like a little role model.

I feel sorry for him a bit.

Seeing I've got a wage coming in, and he's struggling.

It's affected all of us, really, cos it gets him depressed.

When he's depressed, I get depressed.

I've applied for hundreds of jobs this year,

but it's just the time and the place of getting them.

James's main consolation at the moment is pulling girls,

and being an identical twin makes it twice as fun.

You can do anything you want, being a twin,

because no-one knows the difference between you.

You look identical, so you can do whatever you want.

Now, chasing girls has taken a front seat in his life.

Which hasn't always been problem free,

like the time James was driving his mum's car.

I was going to meet a girl, and I couldn't find her,

and I was on my phone. There was a car behind me,

and it was an undercover one. I didn't know.

I was driving with my phone in my hand,

so I was all over the road cos I was concentrating on my phone,

and then he was, like, right touching the back end of my car.

So I put my foot down, trying to get away from him,

and then the next thing, he put his lights on.

He's been caught, so hopefully now,

if he's got any sense, he shouldn't be speeding.

If he is, well, I'll be shocked.

Neither Amy or James have any idea

that their skills behind the wheel will be put to the test,

and that both of them could be

driving into the sunset in a motor of their own.

It's teatime in West Yorkshire, and Amy, her mum, Lisa,

and Auntie Amanda are about to sit down to a takeaway.

Strict Auntie Amanda isn't overly keen

about Amy's ambitions to be a glamour model.

Do you want to be the next Katie Price?

No, better than that!

Yeah, why not?

You know, as long as you make pots of money...

-I'm not bothered for fame. Just go for the fortune!

-Go for both!

Auntie...sensible one.

Stupid one.

But there's also something Amy really needs to get off her chest.

There's one little decision that I made that you don't know about.

-AMY GIGGLES

-Do you know this?

-Yeah.

I had a boob job!

-SHE SHOUTS

-You have not! She has not!

No, don't!

-SHE SCREECHES

-Don't!

-Only a little...

THEY LAUGH

-Oh, my God!

-No! God, you're joking!

Can I just say, it was completely Amy's decision.

She'd already decided.

Well, I'm not happy about it,

but we'll discuss it later.

With Amy's boob job exposed,

Auntie Amanda grudgingly brings up the subject of driving.

I did have a nice surprise for you.

But I'm just thinking now that you're not going to get it!

Why, what is it?

-I was going to see how responsible you were.

-Why?

-By doing what?

-By...

..insuring my car for you to drive.

AMY GASPS For me?

Yes. Right, it's not for ever.

It's only for a short while.

Ooh, thank you, Auntie Mand!

-SHE GROANS

-I'm not entirely thrilled.

I WAS thrilled, till about an hour ago.

What Amy doesn't know

is the only reason she's getting her aunt's car for the week

is so that they can secretly watch her behind the wheel

to see if she's really ready for a car of her own.

Over in Middlesbrough, James's mum Dawn

is cooking a local classic for her hungry twins.

Breaded chicken with a cheesy sauce, known as parmo. Mmm!

Mam, I think I'm anorexic now.

Son, it's nearly done.

Just another ten minutes.

It said it 8-10 minutes for these escalopes.

It was eight minutes, 20 minutes ago!

This week, James will be getting around in his mum's motor,

and already has his week planned out.

-I'll need the car, Saturday.

-Right.

We're going to go to Newcastle on Monday.

So I'm going to need the car, like, literally...

-Quite a bit.

-..the full week.

That's not a problem. Not a problem.

-Is that all right?

-Yeah, yeah.

Any last-minute phone calls saying, "Brian, we're in Newcastle,"

it's tough luck, you know.

Little do the twins know,

mum Dawn's week is now going to be spent watching James's every move.

85 miles south, Amy and her best mate, Robin

are getting ready to drive to Leeds,

where she's planning to buy new bras to fit her recent boob job.

As the girls leave, there's just enough time

for some last, encouraging words from mum, Lisa.

Be careful! It's your Auntie Mandy's pride and joy.

I'm YOUR pride and joy!

Sorry, you're my pride and joy.

The car is Auntie Mandy's pride and joy.

-Love you!

-Love you! Have fun, don't go too fast!

-We won't.

From Amy's home to the lingerie shop in Leeds is just over 25 miles.

But the route means Amy will need to drive

on two different motorways to get there.

And it'll be the first time Amy has EVER driven on a motorway.

I'm so scared.

Like, petrifi-hi-hied!

Once on the motorway,

it quickly becomes apparent that speeding isn't going to be an issue.

-More speed, babe.

-What do you mean, more speed?

-More speed!

-Don't encourage me to speed!

Everything's going smoothly.

No panicking. We're going the right speed...

Not sure doing half the recommended speed limit is RIGHT...

Oh, here?

Well, albeit it at a snail's pace,

they've made it to Leeds in one piece.

Woo-hoo!

-We did it!

-THEY GIGGLE

-I can't!

-Right, you have to look at the elbow.

Look at the elbow. Oh, yeah!

Time for the bit Amy's actually been looking forward to.

Lingerie shopping.

So, Amy, when did you have your op?

Er, about 2-3 weeks ago.

OK, well, they're looking really lovely.

So now you're wanting to find out what size you are?

Yeah, I've got no idea what size I am.

You need to start respecting your boobs now.

So that's the white version

-of the bra that you had on.

-I like that one.

-Can you see the difference there?

-Yeah.

I quite like the shape that one gives me as well, you know.

Think the one that I'll go for is the black and pink one.

OK, all right.

As if I'm an F! I thought I'd be, like, a D!

A D?! Are you for real?

-There you go.

-Thank you very much.

-There we are. Enjoy.

-Thank you! Nice meeting you!

You know where we are if you want some more.

-I'll be back! Thank you.

-You take care. Bye-bye.

Happy with her new bras, Amy and Robin start their journey back.

But Amy's lack of driving experience rears its ugly head again,

as she turns onto the M62.

-Are you sure?

-Yeah.

CAR HORN BEEPS Ooh!

That REALLY was close!

Crossing those road markings could've easily caused a crash.

With the light fading, Amy safely makes it home half an hour later.

The following day, Amy's mum, Lisa,

has secretly travelled to her sister's house

to see her daughter's first journey.

And they can't wait to watch Amy's driving behind her back.

Come on, then. Let's begin!

-THEY LAUGH

-Press play!

'Don't encourage me to speed!

'Everything's going smoothly.

'No panicking, we're going the right speed...'

-THEY LAUGH

-Ooh!

I said to you...

My daughter's speed is embarrassing me a little bit!

I thought that she was going to be a speed queen, but, no!

CAR HORN BEEPS Ooh!

THEY LAUGH AND SQUEAL

-Oh, no!

-She lived!

-No, she didn't!

She was lucky there, because that is just incredibly dangerous.

Well, the maiden voyage is out of the way, and she's alive!

Yeah, but there's two more to go.

-BOTH: God.

-Break out the drink.

I don't want to know when they are.

-But she survived. She survived.

-Yes. It's been emotional.

Amy will have to make sure there are no more dangerous manoeuvres

if she's going to get that car.

Over in Middlesbrough,

ladies' man James is taking his fireman brother Brian to work.

Morning.

It looks like the only date in his bed this morning is Meg the dog.

She kept me up all night.

Unemployed James will drop his brother off

and then go to the gym for a workout.

Spot on.

The fire station is 3.4 miles away and should be a ten minute drive.

Afterwards, James will go to the gym around the corner

but it's an icy morning and the roads are treacherous.

It's freezing.

James is keen to get going.

But the only way he could see the road with THAT windscreen

is if he's using the Force.

MUSIC: "Star Wars Theme"

Can you see at the back?

Yes.

James reverses out of his drive with almost no visibility. Oh, dear!

-I hate driving in ice, me.

-BLEEP

-hate it.

Does the road feel grippy, or not? Does it feel bad?

Not really. It's all right.

Halfway there, and the windows are still frozen.

The Force must be strong in this one(!)

At last, James can see properly! Oh, and his journey's finished.

-If you can pick me up.

-Have good day at work, right.

Next stop, the gym.

The Teesside area of Middlesbrough, where James lives,

is one of the country's worst hit for unemployment.

And going to the gym is a positive way

of filling time in-between jobhunting.

Some people look down their nose at you

-and think that you just can't be

-BLEEP

-finding a job

but I'd to work as a support worker

for kids with disabilities, mental health, and stuff like that.

I'm applying for loads of places at the moment

but it's just hard getting a job round here.

It does affect him sometimes. I'm not going to lie.

He does think, "Oh, I'm sick of just being unemployed,"

but he's coping the best he can with the circumstances.

So getting his own car would be a huge help

to James in looking for work.

The next day, it's time for mum Dawn to watch James's first journey.

-How are you today? All right?

-Good to see you.

She's invited Ann, an old friend

who's known James since he was a baby, to help her.

-Does the road feel grippy, or not? Does it feel bad?

-Not really.

-'It's all right.'

-I think he looks a bit nervous there.

He did actually say to me, "I hate driving in this weather."

This is doing my head in. I can't see.

He can't see. Oh, bless him.

See, I'd have wiped all them down and the back windows before I got in.

He's probably overconfident, do you think?

-I think he's properly just a bit cocky.

-Yes, confident. Yes.

-Passed his test.

-You know what them lads are like.

-Mm.

With ten people dying every day on UK roads,

driving almost the whole way without full vision

wasn't only dangerous, it won't help James in getting the car.

Coming up, things get hairy for James on a night out.

What are you doing?

And Amy sees red.

Oh, no, she doesn't.

... It's a red light.

Down South? Well, Yorkshire, it's midway through Amy's week.

She's hoping that her new boob job will pay off today

as she's off to Manchester on a glamour shoot.

-I'm really excited.

-Are you excited?

I'm a bit nervous, but, like, it could be amazing if it goes right.

-It's a big opportunity for me.

-It's what you've always wanted to do.

I know. I'm just a bit shy but it'll be fine. I can't wait.

Just be confident and everything will be fine. What are you wearing?

I'm going to wear the bra and knickers I bought the other day

and just some of the other outfits.

Bye.

From her home in West Yorkshire, Amy has to drive around 30 miles

across the Pennines into neighbouring Lancashire.

And, once again, the route means she'll have to navigate

the dreaded M62 motorway.

I think there must have been an announcement.

Amy is coming on the motorway so everybody get off.

# Shut up and drive drive drive

# Shut up and drive, drive... #

After a safe, but slow, drive,

Amy's finally made it to the studio just in time for the glamour shoot.

Are you all right? I'm Leon. How are you?

What we need to discuss is the kind of level you want work to

and the kind of jobs that you're looking to do.

I want to be a model but I know I haven't got the height or build

to be like a catwalk model or anything because I'm quite curvy.

I had my boobs done three weeks ago

because I didn't have that confidence before.

So now I've got the confidence I want to start

getting into more glamour sort of things.

Right. Our glamour side is that we do Loaded, Nuts.

We do some TV work as well.

A large percentage of the people that we have on our website

don't have a boob job.

There's quite a small percentage that do have a boob job.

So Amy didn't need a boob job after all! Oh...

I wonder how Auntie Amanda is going to react?

There's only one thing you can't do in front of me

and that's embarrass yourself.

Really nice.

Nice. Nice.

MUSIC: "Girls On Film" by Duran Duran

It was a good shoot. You need to work on your facial expressions

and just concentrate on your body shape as well.

-Thanks for coming.

-Thanks. It's been lovely meeting you.

-Take care.

As the girls get in the car to head home, it's already dark.

Soon though, the shoot becomes a distant memory

as Amy struggles to get out of Manchester.

-I knew it. I

-BLEEP

-knew it.

-This is the wrong way.

And totally lost, she turns into a dead-end.

-I can't

-BLEEP

-deal with it. I can't see a

-BLEEP

-thing.

I can't do it, Robin, I'm just proper stressed.

You'll be fine.

Amy eventually pulls herself together.

Anxious and stressed,

she makes it out of Manchester onto the motorway heading home.

Am I on a lane? What's happened?

This lane is going - shrinking. It's shrinking.

What am I doing? What am I doing? What am I doing?

-You're OK.

-I'm... I'm... I'm not.

I'm not. I'm not. I need to go left.

Freaked out by the motorway,

Amy's come to a complete stop on the slip road.

And there are cars flying past her on the right at over 70mph.

Right...now.

That could have been catastrophic.

Eventually, the girls make it back home in one piece.

Later that evening, Amy and Robin decide

they need to let their hair down after the stress of the drive.

# Going loco down in Acapulco... #

And tonight, they're going loco down at Acapulco,

where the drinks are just 75p.

Fill your boots!

# If you want it I'm gonna be ba ba boom-boom

# If you got it, you got it you got that boom-boom

# If you want it I'm gonna be ba ba boom-boom

# If you got it, you got it You got that boom-boom. #

This has been the first night that I've been able to show the real me.

I don't care. Real boobs. Expensive boobs. More than everybody's cars.

I don't care. Realness, it's me - get over it.

The next day, Lisa has once again sneaked out to her sister's house

to watch what Amy's been up to over the last couple of days and nights.

No comment.

A large percentage of the people that we have on our website

don't have a boob job.

You see, a lot of people on their books don't have a boob job.

She's gone down that route. What she should have done,

was go and speak to somebody like him first.

Well, yes, but she still wanted to do it for herself anyway

for her own confidence, so...

Regardless of that, she would still have wanted it doing.

Am I on a lane? What's happened to this lane?

-Just get me out of here.

-No, I don't want to watch it.

I don't want her on the motorway.

No, I don't want her on the motorway. That's horrendous.

Horrendous. She hadn't got a clue what she was doing

and she is not safe to be on the motorway.

-No.

-No. She's lucky she's not dead.

No, I agree.

Now the bit that's bound to impress no-nonsense Auntie Amanda.

Did she forget to get dressed?

She went through her clothes and could find nothing to wear,

that's all she could find.

She looks a different girl there than when she's driving.

You can see. She's happy, she's relaxed, she's silly

and I love that. I love that about her, but I like the fact that

as soon as she gets into the car she kind of just switches.

And she has a sensible head on.

She's making mistakes

but they're borne out of inexperience not out of attitude.

Her attitude is right.

-I'd rather watch that than watch her driving.

-I'd rather watch that.

Luckily Lisa and Amanda won't be alone in deciding

whether Amy deserves her own car or needs more lessons.

Former traffic cop Judith Roberts

has also been watching Amy's driving.

With 20 years' experience on the force, Judith's job

is to help and advise Lisa and Amanda.

I'd like to have seen her grow in confidence, but actually

this journey, she's made one or two potentially fatal mistakes.

Her attitude to driving is very good.

But her ability and her awareness is really knocking her confidence.

And that's making the whole drive very, very dangerous

With only one journey to go, Amy will have to drive

out of her skin to have any chance of getting her own car.

Up on Teesside, James has a night on the lash planned.

Cheerio, Mum. I'll let you know when we get there.

So he's taking brother Brian

and a few mates shopping in Newcastle.

Middlesbrough to Newcastle is a 44-mile straight run up the A19

so should take James about an hour.

And then there's Newcastle's infamous one-way system to navigate.

After the mini trip, dropping Brian off to work,

this journey will really show James's skills behind the wheel.

Having picked up mates Rob and Dan, James is now saddled with

a car full of backseat drivers.

-James, don't. Don't.

-BLEEP BLEEP

-He's out of it.

You're a dodgy driver today.

-You are a shit driver today.

-I think I'm a really good driver.

I'm better than all of you.

All right, lads, I'm sure you're all brilliant(!)

Once they hit Newcastle,

James and his mates head straight for the shops.

-I want something that no-one's got.

-What's that.

I would wear that.

All I need is some shoes, but I don't like blazers.

Unemployed James buys nothing.

After mooching around for an hour,

and with no retail therapy in sight, they decide to make tracks.

They're keen to get back to Middlesbrough

to get bang on the pre-drinks before their big night out.

Just can't wait to get pissed now.

Is anyone else dizzy?

Getting home is straight down the A19 again. Easy.

Or so you'd think.

Yes, this is it.

You go here.

-You go there, mate.

-I'm trying.

-BLEEP

-sake.

-BLEEP

-sake!

Now heading completely in the wrong direction,

the backseat drivers do their best to help out.

Keep going until you reach the roundabout and turn left.

No, don't turn left at the roundabout.

Mate, you want straight up there where that warehouse thing is.

-Keep going.

-Not this roundabout. Straight over.

-Up to the big roundabout and turn left.

-Be quiet.

-You are about as much help as a

-BLEEP

-chocolate dildo.

-Don't go up there.

-Up there?

-No, you don't go up there.

You go down.

THEY TALK OVER EACH OTHER

-Which way is it?

-BLEEP

Don't go up here.

I'm going to need to pull over for ten minutes.

-I'm

-BLEEP

-stressed the

-BLEEP

-out now.

And with the pressure on James increasing by the minute,

he's just about to hit another obstacle - rush hour.

-Just this little journey, this

-BLEEP

-journey.

I'm going to get smashed tonight.

I'm going to get absolutely ruined.

I can't ever see me coming to Newcastle again.

-I'm being serious, mate. I

-BLEEP

-hate Newcastle.

Getting lost may have been eaten into some all-important boozing time

but they all make it home in one piece.

An hour later, before all the lads come round to start drinking,

there's a familiar topic of conversation in the house.

I'm sick of not working. I'm so bored, I hate it.

I hate not being in a routine.

But you will be soon.

If... It's only a work trial.

But if you do well...

I don't get why it's a training wage just to make a sandwich.

How hard can it be putting chicken in a bun?

But there's all different buns, you have to do at certain temperatures and that.

-You do.

-But it's still just the fact

of apprenticeship for us making a sandwich.

But it's still a job at the end of the day.

-It's better than nothing.

-No, well...

-You've been on the dole long enough, haven't you?

-Yep.

The amount of jobs I've been promised in one year.

-I know, son.

-How many have came off?

I think one has came off.

-A touchy subject.

-A very touchy subject.

But tonight will be a big night,

so James forgets his worries with Brian, Rob, Dan

and mate, Michael,

by getting stuck in to a lethal home-made punch.

Tastes like paint stripper.

I need a minute to myself.

The plan's to get smashed, then head to the bright lights of Middlesbrough city centre.

# Tonight, we're drinking from the bowl... #

That's a litre. A litre done in one.

Fuelled by alcohol,

it isn't long before James decides to bring out his infamous wrestling belt.

-This is the belt.

-Wow.

71, when are you going to dip?

71 female partners.

Does James also tell the girls about the belt?

Probably not.

-The champ is here! AMERICAN ACCENT:

-The champ is here, Bro.

Mam, what do you want to drink?

If your mum has to be there, she may as well join in.

Come near your little son.

Right, tits and bums.

With everyone well and truly strawpedoed,

James's most precious possession in the world is mentioned.

A little black book filled with girls' details,

dating back years.

My little book, yeah.

-Where is it?

-I don't know, I've lost it.

-I can't even find it.

-Disappeared, it's gone.

-That's why you keep it on your phone.

You can borrow this.

-Take care of it. I'll find my book.

-Now I'm champion.

I'll be fuming if I've lost that.

-It was in here.

-It's in drawers, normally.

On a serious note, has anyone seen my book?

If I've lost it, I will be fuming.

-I'm sure it's in your second drawer down.

-I've just looked in my drawer.

Some girl's pinched your book cos she wanted to be in it.

-Yeah,

-BLEEP

-Ripped it up.

If I've lost that, I will be seriously pissed off.

While a distraught James

gets everyone involved in the hunt for his book,

the ladies of Middlesbrough are carrying on without him.

Like Meg, Dawn's gone to bed.

# Somewhere over the rainbow... #

The lads, leathered,

end up going nowhere.

The next day, Dawn pops over to Ann's house

to watch James's second car trip.

Hey, you all right?

Yeah, fine.

Right, here we go.

You're a dodgy driver today, though. You are a shit driver today.

He's not a shit driver, he's doing good.

'I think I'm a really good driver.'

They're winding him up. You know what they're like, Dawn.

I get nervous when I don't know where to go.

-Bless him, I didn't know that.

-Takes after you.

-I didn't know he was like that.

-I thought he was more confident.

-Which way is it? Which way is it?

-BLEEP

-He's flapping, driving home.

-Getting stressed out.

He has everyone in his ear as well.

-I need to pull over, I'm

-BLEEP

-stressed out now.

I can tell he's stressed.

They shouldn't talk to him when he's stressed out like that.

Going to make him worse.

I think James did really well on the driving.

I think he felt under pressure.

Also he was driving somewhere that he wasn't used to.

He's not used to going to Newcastle. He's felt under pressure. He's panicking, he wants to be safe.

He was nervous and in the wrong lane.

I think he did well checking his speed all the time.

I think he was under pressure - you could see it in his face.

-Yeah, you could.

-I could.

Now it's time to see what happened last night.

Neck it all.

Oh! This is where we were all drinking.

Is this all the lads?

Go on.

-Watch this, Ann.

-Oh, my God, that's ridiculous!

Eight seconds, and he'll have a little burp.

HE BURPS

Oh, there's me!

Don't drink it fast, do you?

I think I did a little bit.

I wouldn't.

71 - when you going to dip?

How many?!

-71.

-He's unreal, him. 71.

If I've lost that, I'll be seriously pissed off.

What's he looking for?

-It's a book. He writes everything down in a book.

-What's he writing?

-Ah, look at this...

-His girlfriends?

-Yeah.

-Ah, little black book - phone numbers.

I think I was in bed at this point.

I think I was comatose.

The lads wanted me to join in with the straw thing.

But I'd had a bottle of wine before then.

-But Dawn, you don't drink.

-I know.

-Don't drink fast, I don't agree with it.

-I necked it straight down.

Judith's also been watching James's driving.

Nothing terribly major.

One or two minor things, but on the whole,

a fairly nice drive.

He's aware of what's going on around him, looking in the mirror.

Quite nice so far.

Looks like James could be cruising to success,

but it's not in the bag yet.

It's almost the end of Amy's driving week.

Today, she's taking full advantage

of her last few days with the car

and heading all the way to Liverpool

for a girls' night out on the town.

-You excited?

-I'm excited.

-I've never been to Liverpool.

-Ever?

-Never, never, never.

Nights out are meant to be really good.

Wanting to enjoy the Liverpool nightlife,

Amy has already done the sensible thing

and booked into a hotel.

At over 60 miles, it's her longest drive ever

and should take around 1½ hours.

If you've been driving for a while now,

you feel more confident now.

Amy's had trouble on the motorway

in all her drives

and now the trip to Liverpool means

she needs to take the M62

again.

-I think it's just coming on the motorway.

-Yeah.

Can she pull it off this time?

You can just help me look.

Suddenly, she's driving like a pro.

And it isn't long before the girls find themselves

in Liverpool city centre

and smoothly navigating straight to the hotel.

Fantastical.

See, that weren't stressful.

Despite looking forward to her big night out,

Amy's thoughts turn to her mum.

Having a licence since August,

and my mum's been ill since before that, so I haven't been able to...

She's been stranded and I can't do anything about it.

But this week, having the car, if she's said, "Get some milk," I've been able to.

It's really convenient to have a car.

With the car safely back at the hotel,

the girls roll up in a cab, ready for their night out.

The plan is to have a really good time in Liverpool,

paint the town red.

I won't get too drunk cos I'm driving in the morning,

cos if I get too drunk the night before, I'm still drunk when I wake up.

I'll have a few drinks, like two, go back to the hotel, have a good sleep,

then drive back in the morning.

Although not strictly sticking to her two-drink limit,

Amy plans on being sane and sober

for the long drive back home tomorrow,

The next day, Amy's bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.

I'm so glad I didn't get drunk last night.

-Imagine if I had to drive home.

-You'd be a right mess.

Thought that through, didn't I?

Although she's hangover-free,

Amy's made a mistake, straight out of the blocks.

That's a one-way,

and NOT that way.

That traffic light has just turned red!

Then, five seconds later,

she's gone straight across the junction.

-BLEEP

-it's red lights.

After another drive on the hated motorway,

Amy's just a few miles from home.

But as she approaches traffic lights,

suddenly there's ten tonnes of bus heading towards her.

HORN BLARES

Instead of giving way, she illegally cuts in front of it.

What did I do wrong there?

Don't think I actually did that wrong.

Completely oblivious to her narrow escape,

Amy makes it home after her third and final car trip.

Thank God it's over!

Everyone's alive and the car hasn't even had a bump!

Yeah, glad to be home safe!

The next day brings an end to Amy's week.

Judith is going round to Auntie Amanda's house to view

the third journey with her and mum, Lisa.

I really haven't made my mind up with Amy.

She's so dangerous behind the wheel.

I'd like to see a vast improvement before I make

any final decisions.

As Judith, Amy's mum, Lisa

and Aunt Amanda sit down to watch Amy's final drive,

they're worried about seeing Amy negotiate a motorway again.

-Shall we see how she's got on?

-Yep, let's do it.

She's all right!

SHE LAUGHS

Early signs are she's definitely better.

-If I want to take her anywhere, I have that freedom now.

-Yeah, you can help her out.

Oh!

She's been stranded and I can't do anything about it.

But hearing Amy talk so candidly about her illness

proves too much for Lisa.

I just don't want her worried about me.

It just touches me that she's out and getting ready,

yet she's still thinking about me. It would make a difference. We could just get in the car.

I won't get too drunk cos I'm driving in the morning.

I think that's a really good point.

That's very responsible.

-I'm proud of her for that.

-Yeah.

Oh, no, no, no!

It's red lights!

HORN BLARES

ALL: No!

Why did she do that?

God, she was lucky there.

That bus, if it had hit her, would have flipped her over. They'd have ended up on the roof.

I don't need to tell you anything after that.

Just because she's not concentrating.

That is dreadful.

How do we feel about that?

It's a worry.

-And a shame, because she actually got there quite well.

-Yeah.

-She did.

-And the next morning...wallop!

It's a very difficult decision for me.

I understand a car would be very beneficial to you.

I'll be interested to ask Amy a few questions

to see how she feels she got on.

Meanwhile, Amy's heading over to her aunt's house.

Simply to drop the car off, or so she thinks.

She has no idea what she's about to be confronted with.

-Hi, gorgeous!

-Hello!

Got a little surprise for you.

All this week, on your nights out and driving,

-we've watched EVERYTHING.

-You haven't.

-We have.

SHE SCREAMS

AMANDA LAUGHS

-Every single thing, we've watched.

-That's not fair!

It is!

There's some one I'd really like you to meet.

-Hi. Judith Roberts.

-Hi.

I am a retired traffic police officer.

Because what you don't know is

that at the end of the process,

I will decide if you would benefit from advanced driving lessons

or from a car of your own.

Oh, my God!

I'm trying to think.

I think I did well.

Despite the shock, Amy gets comfortable to watch

herself in the driving seat.

-Ready?

-Yeah...no...maybe.

Everything's going smoothly. Don't panic. We're going the right speed.

We're going the right way.

-Can I go?

-BLEEP

-Can you get me out of here?

-This bit actually made me feel a bit sick.

-Same.

-See what you did?

-Hm.

-BLEEP

-BLEEP

-red. It's a red light. Red lights, that's why.

Couldn't see it though, because I had passed it.

I couldn't have seen the light anyway. What did I do wrong there?

When you turned in front of that bus,

I'm not sure where your thought process was.

-I think it was just...it was the last journey.

-It could've been.

-Ever. AMY LAUGHS

No, I'm being serious.

That could have been you and your passenger's last journey ever.

Having seen the evidence, Amy gets the chance to defend herself.

The mistakes have been pointed out, which I understand,

cos I knew I made them, but at the same time,

I passed in August and I have never, ever been in a car since.

I think you have a very responsible attitude to driving,

but I do think your ability to drive is lacking.

I am very capable.

If I did have my own car, I wouldn't make the same mistakes that I've made

but I'd gain this experience that is crucial to become a driver.

If you don't have a car, you're not going to progress.

It's time for the verdict.

Will it be a car or advanced driving lessons?

Having looked at all the footage,

I've decided...

you would benefit from an advanced driving course.

I would worry if I sanctioned a car for you and you were then to go

and have a horrible accident because you weren't quite ready.

I have to say...

I'm so sorry, but I do agree. All right, sweetie?

Having a car would have helped Amy and her mum,

but panicking on the motorway and a near miss with a bus

means that she loses out on getting a car of her own.

Amy's week is over, but James still has one more night out to go.

Despite vowing he would never return,

he's heading back to Newcastle for a night's clubbing.

But first, it's pre-drinks at Dan's.

-Will James be able to resist a bevvy?

-I don't want one.

So tonight, he's our taxi driver, he's our babysitter...

James and twin Brian normally do everything together, but tonight,

it's just Brian getting on it.

I want to see James chill out.

-Have faith in your brother.

-Go on then. Enjoy it.

-After one, sound.

-I'm fine.

James has done this journey before so it should be easy.

If he heads straight up the A19,

they should get to the club in under an hour.

The big question is, will he drink once he's there?

-OK, so necking that Bulmers did

-BLEEP

-me up.

So you can't do it and Brian has to do it, basically. Prove it.

The boys are making good time.

But maybe James isn't driving fast enough

-when there's a full bladder in the car.

-I need a proper bad

-BLEEP

-Pull up or something.

-No.

-I really need a wee-wee.

-It's all in your head.

-BLEEP

-Wow!

-I need a wee.

-Oh, Brian, so you

-BLEEP

-said.

-BLEEP

-your studs.

-I can feel it coming through.

What am I going to do?

-"City centre, left."

-My God, what am I going to do?

I'm going to wee myself. Oh, no.

If the worst comes to the worst, you'll have to use a bottle.

-I'm not being funny.

-Don't make me laugh, please.

What am I going to do?

Brian can't hold on.

Fearing for the upholstery of his mum's car, James gives in and illegally pulls over.

-Get out, Brian.

-I'm going out.

Hello, dear. How are you?

Oh, much, much better.

Oh, crisis over.

The lads hit the club and the drinks, but James wisely sticks to water.

The club is packed and it doesn't take long for twin Brian to get lucky.

Oh, it looks like mate Michael's in there too.

How is James doing? Not very well on the girls front but at least he is still on the waters.

It's not looking like his night, till Rob comes to the rescue.

-Finally, it's kicking out time.

-It was a good night.

I think I'm the only sober one but...

I didn't get pissed and I still had a good night so I'm happy. Successful.

All James has to do now is get everyone home safely.

It's 4am. The roads are empty and everyone is relaxed,

not realising that there is a taxi approaching them at breakneck speed.

-Oh!

-BLEEP

-What are you doing?!

BLEEP

James swerved and missed that car by centimetres. It was a close call.

-Jesus.

-BLEEP

-hell.

-What an absolute

-BLEEP

-Why didn't he put his

-BLEEP

-indicator on, the divvy?

-I didn't do nowt wrong there, did I?

-No.

-See the car swing back there.

-BLEEP

-swang there.

I thought I was going to tip.

Badly shaken but thankfully sober,

James gets everyone home in one piece.

Two days later, and ex-traffic cop Judith arrives for James's

final viewing with mum Dawn and her friend Ann.

They sit down together to watch James's third and final dramatic car trip.

What am I going to do? I'm going to wee myself!

-You have got this guy in distress.

-I know.

-And that is putting James under...

-Pressure.

-Yes.

-Be interesting to watch what they're like a night out.

-It isn't.

-I don't want to see.

-Well, there's Brian fixed up.

-Oh, Dan! No need for that.

-Oh, that is disgusting.

-Showing his bottom.

-His bum is hanging out.

I think sometimes it has really got him down

about not being able to work.

They have changed this last year, I think.

Didn't get pissed and I still had a good night so I'm happy. Successful.

And that is really refreshing to hear. He's had a good time.

-BLEEP

-What are you doing?

That could have been fatal.

That could have been...

That car has drifted into James's lane,

so James is driving perfectly well and he's kept his passengers safe.

-If he'd even had one drink, his reactions...

-Reactions...

..would have been much slower.

That could have been a completely different scenario.

That has shaken them because that was really close.

On the whole, I think they did really, really well.

I'm proud that he hasn't drank.

The way he handled the situation with the car pulling into his lane.

I'm really chuffed with him.

I know that issue is ultimately mine

so I can be the bad guy or I can be the good guy,

-so we'll see what happens when we have a chat with him.

-OK.

James arrives back at the house,

thinking he's just dropping the keys off to his mum.

He's totally unaware about what's lying in store for him when he walks in.

Hello, James. What it is... I have a little confession.

Right.

What's been happening is while you have been doing this,

me and Ann have been watching things on...everything, really.

We have had to comment on different things.

-Is it a bad thing? Her face...

-It's not a bad thing.

It is just certain things that we need to maybe talk about with you.

This is Judith. I would like to introduce Judith.

What Judith is, James, she is an ex-police traffic officer

-and she'd like to talk to you about certain things.

-Should I be worried?

No. Not necessarily.

I've been watching, really, to give

some input into what you've done right and what you've done wrong.

There is a slight twist.

If I think that you could benefit from advanced driving lessons,

then you would gone on an advanced driving course.

If I think that you are driving OK,

and I think that you would benefit of having

a car of your own, then that's something that you would be given.

-What, my own car?

-Yes. How do you feel about that?

-Do you think you would benefit from your own car?

-Yeah.

Or do you think you would benefit from doing

-an advanced driving course?

-I think my driving's good, me.

I think it is good. I wasn't expecting this. But yeah.

I'd love it, yeah.

James now gets to see his driving for himself.

Talk me through this bit.

Couldn't see, obviously, out of the back window,

so I was having Brian looking out of the side window and stuff like that.

But, yeah, it fogs up quite quick. The glass.

Most accidents happen within 100 yards of home.

It is little things but these little things mount up to,

potentially, quite serious things.

-'Yes.

-BLEEP

-and

-BLEEP

I was so drunk then!

44 years and I have never been that drunk in my life.

-'Ohhh!'

-BLEEP

Yeah, the taxi didn't indicate.

-You told us about this, James.

-Yeah.

-But listen to this.

-If you'd had one drink,

your reactions would have been a lot slower

and you or your four passengers could have been killed.

-It was horrible. I was shook up for like, five minutes.

-We could tell.

-It all went quiet.

-And there's one final shock.

In the car, there's a little telemetry box which I don't know that you know about.

It records all your speed and everything when we're not filming.

And actually, the data on that has come back. You've done very well.

It's decision time.

So, on this occasion, I think you would deserve the car.

-Oh, my God!

-He's in shock.

-Cheers.

-Bless you. You take care in it.

So I've got my own car?

I got the biggest shock when I walked through there and you came up with your speech

and you were sat there and I thought, what have I done?

What has happened here? I am shaking now. Good little twist to end the show!

You got me there. I am over the moon.

James has got the car that should really help in his hunt for a job.

And who's the first person he wants to tell? Twin Brian, of course.

They have given me my own car with insurance and MOT and tax.

Swear down, honestly. They have given me my own car.

I'm not flying, mate. I'm being serious. Bye.

If I'm lying, I'm going to get hit in the face.

A few weeks later,

it's time for James to pick up the keys to his new car.

Thanks a lot, mate.

As Brian is at work, mate Jeff has come along for the ride.

I'm more than happy with it. I love it.

See, it makes inks easier as well. Me and Brian. The whole sharing a car situation.

Especially if I get a job as well

and he stays at the Fire Brigade and I get my own little job.

And I've got my car as well so, happy days.

James drives happily off in a car that will hopefully be

the first step in turning his life around.

The day has also arrived for Amy's advanced driving course.

Wonderful.

-Well done.

-I have really, really enjoyed today.

It has been so much more fun than I thought it would we.

Far too much.

This experience is, like, invaluable and even if it just

stops me from one hazard, that could save someone's life.

And Amy's mum has made a decision.

I wanted her to get driving as soon as possible.

Because I can't drive at the moment.

So we managed to get her a car

and she is absolutely thrilled to bits with that. So we're happy.

I feel much happier for Amy to have her own car

and I personally think all young drivers should do this.

Next time on Barely Legal Drivers we meet two very different teenagers.

Whoa! Oh, my gosh! Indicate, you idiot!

-Ha-ha!

-Give it a push.

Six shots for a fiver.

Oh!

-Do we look like wankers?

-Oh!

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