Dean and Lauri Barely Legal Drivers

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

In this series, we are following inexperienced teens to see what

they are really like behind the wheel.

Bloody hell!

Fasten your seat belts, because each week,

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

They believe we are filming a slice of modern teenage life,

but in fact, it is all about their driving.

-Oh, my God.

-Oh!

Red lights, red lights, that is why.

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.

-She is posing!

-Oh, no.

Each teen will go on three road trips geared towards testing every

aspect of their driving.

Get out of the car, now!

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. I really had 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 driving lessons.

But if they think they are good enough, we will give

the parents the cash to buy their kid a car they can call their very own.

Tonight, we meet two young adults from very different families.

Full-time student and part-time party girl Lauri, who is the apple of her parents' eye.

Oh, no! Oh, no!

And Dean, who is desperate to please his dad.

Sorry, sorry!

Will it be reward or retribution for either of these youngsters

-when their parents see them behind the wheel?

-That was really close.

-I'm going to kill him!

-It is trust, and straight away he has betrayed that trust.

Welcome to Barely Legal Drivers.

This is 20-year-old Lauri,

a graphic design student from Kingston upon Thames.

I am fun and spontaneous and a bit of a liability.

So if you want a good night I will get you out there.

Lauri is known for enjoying the good life,

rather than muddling along as a cash-strapped student.

She has quite expensive tastes. So she likes the good life.

She is very generous.

We will go out and she will be like, "I will get the drinks."

She always buy the first round, guaranteed.

It won't even be one drink, it'll be a drink, a Jaegerbomb, three shots.

When she is not studying in Bournemouth, Lauri lives

at home with her family.

Mum Jane, who is a teacher, uni lecturer dad Harry,

-and sister Iona.

-Lauri and Iona are fabulous friends.

-Me and my sister are like this.

-Like her best friend, really.

My sister especially gets on with my parents very well,

especially when she needs money.

They would bleed us dry.

They pay my rent, they pay for me to live at the moment,

they are working to support me, which I do feel guilty about

but hopefully when I am older and they need a care home I will pay for that!

Having passed her test first time,

Lauri was given her very own motor, a Ford Ka for her 18th birthday.

That is the one thing that made her feel really independent and made her feel really grown up.

It was not long before she became a driving statistic.

Had a big crash at 80mph, a huge Land Rover just spun into the side of me.

My car just literally went straight into the central reservation.

I was at work and got the phone call, "Your daughter has been

"involved in a car accident," and you are just thinking the worst.

It scared the ... out of me.

I was so scared to go back on motorways after that.

In early 2011 Lauri had a second crash.

This time, she was banned from driving for 12 months.

-She hasn't had a car since.

-It is unreal how much I miss driving.

It kills me.

Lauri has no idea what is really going on, or that Mum

and Dad will be secretly watching her week.

Both in and out of her mum's car.

I value my car, the thought of Lauri getting in it fills me

-with complete... Oh, my God.

-I think it is great!

This is 18-year-old Dean, a supermarket worker from Polegate, near Eastbourne.

I just want an honest life, an honest job. Just enjoy myself, really.

Only child Dean's parents are separated

and he lives at home with his dad, Denzil.

We get on most of the time but sometimes he can drive me to an angry stage very quickly.

Put it on a plate!

I leave one plate out on the side and he will go through the roof.

He's a nightmare for leaving everything on all the time.

Just disappearing out the door.

I thought I would stick a sign on the door and hope it works.

I haven't actually read it once, the whole way through.

Dean was a troubled teen,

and last year family relations hit breaking point.

I was going nowhere at all, I couldn't get a job,

it was horrible. It was a really dark time in my life actually.

I fell out with my dad over various things

and I got kicked out to my mum's.

We had a disagreement where I said to him,

"If you don't like it, go and look after yourself."

So with that, to my surprise, he did.

Me and my mum had a fallout as well and that left me

basically with nowhere. I managed to get in a hostel, really nasty place.

I wouldn't recommend it to my worst enemy.

Throughout this difficult time in his life,

his friends were a constant support.

He hasn't changed as a person, he is the same Dean.

But he has matured a lot. I am proud of him. We are all proud of him.

We were all worried about him, how he would take it,

but he just got on with it, really. That's what he does.

Dean stuck it out in the hostel for six months

and wouldn't come home till he'd got a job and could pay his own way.

It has done him the world of good,

he is quite a way forward from where he was, so, that is pleasing.

It is like getting blood out of a stone but I love getting my dad to say he is proud of me.

It is not easily said.

Dean hasn't been behind the wheel since his test, two months ago.

To get around this week, he is going to be driving his mum's car.

I am hoping that in the back of his mind I am there, my car!

So, he will be taking care of it.

Should he do something wrong, I will feel let down by that,

and I will have something to say.

Neither Lauri or Dean 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 is Sunday night in Polegate and Dean

and his parents are about to chow down on chow mein.

I'm hungry.

-Try some of this, have some of it.

-I will try a little bit.

-Broaden your horizons.

-I don't want none of that!

-Try a bit of it!

Just try a bit of it.

Although Lynn and Denzil separated three years ago, they remain close

and have got together tonight because they have a surprise for Dean.

What would you say if we said we got you insured on your mum's car?

-Really?

-Really.

-The key to my car, look after it.

Because it might only be a little Fiat Punto but it is mine

-and I need it.

-We are trusting you to drive it.

-No smoking in it.

-Responsibly as well.

-No?

No smoking in it.

-Not at all?

-You can't smoke when you're driving.

-I will be fine.

-You know if I say that I mean it.

-I will be fine. Thank you.

I appreciate it.

Dean thinks he has been given the keys to his freedom.

Little does he know his parents will be watching his every move.

On the outskirts of London, Lauri is back from university

for reading week to spend quality time with her family.

-We are going rock climbing tomorrow.

-Are you going like...

dressed like that? Are you going to wear those disco pants?

Your arse going up like Bridget Jones!

Mum Jane has a generous offer.

-If you are really careful... Yes.

-You can drive my car.

What do you mean, drive your car?

Dad and I thought it is about time you got yourself back into driving.

But you're going to have to be really careful.

-Thank you. It's mine now.

-You're not going to be sassy in my car!

Keep in mind my KA

and how I looked after that and the last time you saw that.

Yes, I do!

Lauri believes that this is to give her some independence for her week back home.

She has no idea.

The next morning in Kingston, Lauri is getting ready for a day

-out with her sister Iona and a few mates.

-Going rock climbing.

But good luck for Iona because she's not feeling very well.

I'm quite keen. I would like to beat my sister up there.

Sibling rivalry aside, today will be Lauri's first drive in two years.

Mum Jane has a few handy tips on not getting lost.

Will you be able to work out from the TomTom thing how to go?

Somebody comes on, don't they? You can change whoever it is.

-Like Stephen Fry or somebody like that.

-Thanks, Mum(!)

Dressed appropriately for rock climbing,

Lauri and sister Iona set off.

Lauri is picking up old college mate Natalie who lives around the corner

then heading up to Harrow in north London to pick up uni mate Sara.

Then they're going to a local leisure centre.

It is Lauri's first drive since her last car crash.

Is she going to let nerves get the better of her?

-I don't know if I should be coming out this lane.

-That is yes, then.

Lauri picks up Natalie and rather than follow her mum's advice

-she has gone for little sister as her sat nav voice.

-Where am I going? Iona?

It is just saying, go round.

Stressed, Lauri starts making a few simple mistakes.

-Shit, have I got to be in there.

-That is what I said! Shit!

Aaah! I'm going!

Lauri may be stressed and nervous but does that make her cautious? No.

That was almost the end of Mum's car.

God, that was close, Lauri!

With Sara on board, they arrive at the leisure centre,

all looking like they're going on a night out rather than rock climbing.

-I'm going to win, probably. I am not going to lie.

-No, you're not.

I might get scouted for this, I am really sorry, but pro rock climbing.

Once inside, the girls begin to realise their fashion faux pas.

This is really not flattering. My camel toe.

We are all going to have a camel.

I am glad I am facing the wall, to be honest. I don't know what to say.

Costumes sorted, let's see how good these girls are.

I'm shaking! I don't like it! Get me down!

Not very, then!

LAUGHTER

Soon, the sisterly competitive spirit begins to kick in.

Lauri shows her baby sister how to rock climb like a...

well, like a rock climber.

18 seconds, not bad.

Next up is Iona, who gets to the top in half the time.

-I am feeling victory!

-Nine seconds! I am a little bit annoyed.

She looks so much better than me. But look how smug she is!

The girls set off and a slightly humbled Lauri now

-has the reverse journey back to south London.

-Oh, no!

The reason the bus has stopped is because of a zebra crossing.

But Lauri illegally drives right over it,

seemingly unaware there are people starting to cross it.

Soon, Lauri's human sat nav starts playing up again.

-You were going, third exit?

-Yeah, it said third exit!

You look at it then! You are meant to be controlling, you are driving! I am not a map!

Put it over there, go on, smartarse!

Oh, I'm duh!

And then, Lauri disproves once and for all the myth that all women can multitask.

Where am I going?

-Third exit!

-I can't count and drive!

-Then you should not be on the road!

One, two, three!

With the light fading, the sparring sisters are at it again.

I have just basically spelled it out. I said go up here!

Not what is needed when you should be concentrating on the road.

-You do it, go on, take it.

-I don't need it now.

Managing not to kill each other, finally,

they all make it back home in one piece.

The following day, Lauri's parents sit down for a secret glimpse

-into her first drive since her car crash two years ago.

-Ready?

This is the start of Harry and Jane's mission to

determine if Lauri deserves her own car or not.

-Shit, have I got to be in there?

-Yes.

That's what I said! Shit.

It is really important at this point to say that no-one in this house ever swears.

Aah! I'm going.

-My God, that was pretty close, Lauri.

-That was close.

I have only had two accidents and both of them were doing that.

She should have stopped the car and let those people cross the road.

-You're saying I can go...

-I said go up here!

I think the fact that they are sisters, they are feeding

off each other and actually if you or I were there...

She is just at that sort of gobby age but that is not a good idea in the car.

I think the thing that we missed when we think back to her accident,

I think there was a bit of a knock to her confidence.

I think having that opportunity to get behind the wheel again,

she has done pretty well actually.

Lauri's parents may think she has done well, but with a lack of

concentration and dangerously driving over the zebra crossing she is going

to have to do a lot better in her next two journeys to get the car.

One and a half hours away on the south coast,

and Dean is getting ready for a day out with his mates.

It is nice that we finally get to go out and do something,

we haven't done anything in a while. It's about time we did, to be honest. Now I have a car I have more freedom.

We can do what we want.

Dean is going from his house in Polegate near Eastbourne to Brighton.

It is a journey of 21 miles involving country lanes and city streets

and should take just over half an hour.

-But first, he has to pick up mates Sophie and Tyler.

-All right, mate!

-All right, mate?

-And then Jack.

All right, mate?

Driving virgin Dean has never driven without a driving instructor

sat next to him.

How will he cope?

Not sure his mum is going to appreciate the smoking.

And it's all going surprisingly well.

Until he hits Brighton's infamous one-way system.

Are we supposed to come down here?

-Oh, no! Are you

-BLEEP

-kidding me? It is buses only.

Ignoring all of the many signs,

Dean is slap bang in the middle of a buses-only route and that will cost him 60 smackers.

Sophie, no! What have you done?

People are nodding their heads at us.

Then Dean spends almost an hour looking for a car park.

I need someone to watch that bollard. I know, I'm watching it. I'll just leave it like that.

Look, they have a baby.

Trust me, I have done this before. It just takes ages.

-Took us an hour and a half.

-Never again.

Finally, having taken half an hour to park,

everyone hits Brighton seafront and talk turns to future trips.

-Let's drive to Amsterdam.

-You don't want to drive there.

And what day to the seaside would be complete without

a trip to the pub? Dean must drive everyone back. Will he have a drink?

Nope, he is having a Coke.

I'm not tempted to have a drink. I'm sensible like that.

They are my mates and they are my responsibility in my car so I will make sure they are safe.

I don't want to be responsible for crashing with them in it.

It is an attitude that should please notoriously hard-to-please dad Denzil.

Denzil is a bit intimidating sometimes.

Nicest bloke. Wouldn't want to cross them.

He's not horrible, not the sort of person it would be easy to cross.

-Most people are.

-He's not short tempered, either.

Not with other people. But with me, he is. Obviously that is different.

-I am quite close to my mum and dad.

-I think we all are.

-When I was younger, I didn't get on with him.

-No, I remember.

-Recently he has been all right.

-He has changed quite a lot, your dad. He is nicer now.

As long as you get on with him at the end of the day that is what matters.

As the sun sets, Dean makes the vital preparations for the journey home.

-Shit, I haven't got my headlights on. No, that's full beam. How do I get them

-BLEEP

-normal?

I think they are on now.

Stressed, Dean ignores his mum's big rule and lights up again.

Now, as long as he keeps out of bus lanes...

-Bus lane, for

-BLEEP

-sake! You dickhead!

-Oh, dear!

-That is £120 in fines, now.

Someone needs to give me directions.

-I'm just going to pull over somewhere in a minute because I am not driving home. I am a

-BLEEP

-idiot.

Once out of Brighton, Dean takes his eye off the speedometer.

If the police stopped him now going just over 40 in a 30 zone,

Dean could get points on his licence.

Thankfully, Dean slows down and gets his passengers home safely.

See you, Sophie. See you in a bit, mate.

-Hiya!

-How are you?

-Yeah, all right.

The following day, Lynn has come round to Denzil's house to

watch their son's first drive since he passed his test.

My dad did say he would be so disappointed if we all smoked in the car.

What is he doing? He is smoking a fag in my car!

Did I not say really clearly,

you and your mates are not smoking in my car?

Are you all right, yeah?

I am responsible for you lot.

-That is good.

-Brilliant. I like that.

-I'm proud of that.

-Are you

-BLEEP

-kidding me? It's buses only, Sophie!

I'm going to kill him!

He is starting to panic because he has realised he's made a mistake.

Which is good.

Not impressed with the speeding at all.

It is difficult for me.

I am Dean's harshest critic and I am probably the one

person that he would like to sort of try and impress if he can.

It is nice to see him

taking responsibility for the people in the car. And being aware of that.

That is really important. That is nice to see.

Dean's parents may have been pleased with his responsible attitude

towards his passengers, but speeding and driving in a bus lane means

the trip to Brighton has rocked his chances of getting the car.

Coming up - Lauri tunes up.

# Scaramouche, Scaramouche will you do the fandango? #

And Dean has a breakdown.

-BLEEP

-hell, man! I will stop, I will stop it.

Up in the big smoke and it is almost halfway through Lauri's week.

She is at home planning her night on the town.

I will pick up Natalie and then drive up into Soho

and meet Charlotte and Sophie for some dinner.

I am looking to find where to park,

because you know what it is like in London.

Lauri is going from her house to pick up Natalie

and then drive into Soho. It's a distance of 13 miles.

It is not far but central London, one of the most congested cities in

the world at night, is no picnic for an already nervous driver.

Tonight is also Lauri's first time as designated driver in over two years.

With Nat on board, the next stop is Soho.

-Where am I going?

-Just round.

-No point in saying left or right, you don't know your left and right.

-I do know it now.

Not concentrating, Lauri slams on her brakes at some traffic lights.

My life flashed before my eyes just then.

-Breathe in, girls.

-Oh!

-Sweet Jesus.

-OK, go.

-Keep going!

-I am letting him go.

-Yes, but you can't stop in there.

With her sensible preplanned parking, the girls arrive

at the restaurant and sit down with uni mates Charlotte and Sophie.

-What do you want to drink? Wine?

-What is Lauri going to drink?

-Bitter lemonade.

-Bitter lemonade, very sensible.

I haven't been a designated driver for years.

Soon, the topic of Lauri's unique understanding of student budgeting comes up.

You eat out a lot, don't you, at uni?

Me and Sara eat out, like, all the time.

She's first one to the bar when we get in a club, like.

No hanging about, it's straight to the bar.

When she got drunk on Thursday, she thought she was a millionaire

and just got litres of sambuca. Let's get four each!

-Let's just get slaughtered!

-You don't have to queue again.

I was going to get all the rounds in now, just do a massive round.

Don't you think, like, when we graduate, out of all of us,

Lauri's going to marry like the richest man?

-Really?

-Yeah. You'll be a little WAG

and your little pretty children will all trot through.

Thank you, cheers.

With that endorsement ringing in her ears, it's time for a very

sober Lauri to get out of central London and go back home.

That's if she can get out of the car park.

Oh, sweet Jesus!

Lauri hasn't noticed

but she launches herself into the street without her lights on.

Within minutes, though, another driver warns her.

I haven't got my lights on.

Thank you.

Quite proud that we've got all the way back from central with no sat nav.

Oh! My IQ just raised from ten to thousands.

-What is an IQ level?

-Intelligence questionnaire?

Intelligence...

Yeah, I think you'll find it's intelligence quotient.

Before the girls start on the meaning of life,

Nat's dropped off and Lauri gets home safe and sound.

Another night and another night out for Lauri.

This time, she's leaving the car at home

and going into the West End by cab with Iona, Natalie and Sara.

All wired up and they're going to just look like pants at the back.

Luckily, Mum's on hand to make sure there's not too much flesh on show.

-It's just a bit like you've got a T-shirt.

-Yeah, but it's not.

-Just pull it down.

-Yeah.

At least your bra isn't hanging out, Lauri.

An hour later and these four poor students make it to the club.

Cash-strapped or not, it isn't long before all the girls

are living the lifestyle to which Lauri has become accustomed.

So, what's the secret to Lauri living the good life

whilst on a student budget?

If you're a group of girls, you sort of don't have to pay for anything.

-It's really good, so...

-Yeah, men are nice and generous!

-All the time.

-We're having a good time. Always have a good time.

Yeah.

Fuelled by very expensive alcohol the girls didn't buy themselves,

the night comes to an end.

The following day near Kingston, Lauri's parents settle down for

a front-row seat into the private life of their eldest daughter.

Hit the button.

First up, her second drive into Soho for dinner.

Oh! Ooh!

It's like 7ft. Ooh!

-Keep going.

-Got to say that, that is one up on mum!

She's actually gone through a yellow box and got out the other side.

Lauri's going to marry like the richest man.

-Really?

-That's a really good idea!

Bitter lemonade.

That's really, really good, I think, from Lauri's perspective,

that she's just not even considering drinking, driving.

And then her night out clubbing.

-They're having a good time.

-No, that's how I think they would be.

They'd just be having a laugh, they'd be having a dance.

It's not a question of having expensive taste.

She just knows what she likes and what she doesn't like.

-What about that?

-She's a lot more confident

and she seems to be handling the car a lot better.

It doesn't seem to be so jerky.

I was genuinely expecting her to drive...slightly worse,

or make more mistakes, but I think she's doing really well.

But Harry and Jane won't be alone in deciding

whether Lauri's performance warrants a car or advanced driving lessons.

Former traffic cop Judith Roberts has also been casting

a critical eye on Lauri's driving.

With 20 years' experience on the force,

Judith's job is to help and advise Lauri's parents.

Going into London, she was a bit anxious.

I'm seeing a pattern here of lack of concentration, she's not looking

ahead, she's not planning, she's not aware of what's going on around her.

All in all, I think

she would probably benefit from some advanced driving lessons.

Just to give her back her self-confidence.

Lauri's got one more journey to turn things around,

otherwise she won't have a chance of getting the car.

We're in Polegate, near Eastbourne, and Dean,

who has plans to join the Army, is going paintballing with some mates.

When do you get the chance to shoot each other?

I don't know why, but you get some weird satisfaction

when you shoot someone else.

Obviously, they're paintballs, but... Yeah, it's a good laugh.

Dean is driving near to Burgess Hill,

a distance of only 25 miles, which should take him 40 minutes,

provided he can navigate there correctly along the A roads.

Shut the door behind you, obviously.

He's taking Jack, Sophie, Ginge and Harry.

With even more passengers than last time,

this will really test Dean's motor skills.

As well as his mum's car's suspension.

Shit!

Sorry, sorry.

-Yes!

-Yay(!)

Embarrassment over, they're off.

Dean's remembered the basics - mirror, cigarette, manoeuvre.

-It's nicer driving when you have a fag.

-Yeah.

Mum's not going to be impressed.

This may look like fun,

but aquaplaning is a common cause of accidents in wet weather.

Not that Dean seems to care.

Test your brakes when going through water.

Then, the route to the paintballing goes a little

bit off the beaten track.

Sorry, Mum. Car's going to get a bit muddy.

-Ooh!

-BLEEP

-What was that crunch?

-My mum's going to

-BLEEP

-hate me.

CLUNK

Ooh!

Goodbye, exhaust.

Your exhaust, mate, it's over there!

Dean has got everyone there in one piece, unlike Mum's car.

It's time for paintballing.

And nothing says friendship like a shot to the face.

With ammunition finished, a truce is called and the conversation

naturally comes round to Dean wanting to join the Army.

The main people I'd want to be proud of me would be Mum and Dad.

Mum's going to be a bit harder to convince, obviously.

She despises the idea, that's the only way to put it. She hates it.

My dad's like, "Yeah, go for it."

I'm sure your mum... It's more of a self-sense of achievement as well.

I don't want to be known as Dean who works at the supermarket

all his life. That's not where I see my life going. Not at all.

With the exhaust still attached to his mum's car,

Dean drives his squadron back to base with no casualties.

Plenty of room to get out.

The next day in Eastbourne, Dean meets up with Jack for lunch.

He's one of the friends who stood by Dean during his six months

living in the hostel.

I went there and said I'm not coming home until I've got a job

-and sorted myself out and I can look after myself.

-And you've done that.

-I did it. It took me six months.

-You did it.

-But I did it.

-I wouldn't want to do it again.

-No.

But it's done you good more than bad.

-Yeah, at least I get on with my dad now.

-Yeah, that's true.

Now I'm paying rent and stuff. Yeah, it's nice.

He's looking at you as a man now, not as a boy.

I wouldn't go that far.

-In a way, they do treat me like I'm 16 still, sort of thing.

-Yeah.

Like rules and stuff like that.

It's as if they're doing that for the fact they don't trust me.

-It's just gaining that trust, that's the hard part.

-Yeah.

Don't lose it either.

Exactly.

Lovely, thank you, mate.

Later on that day, Dean heads out for a night in Eastbourne.

But he's decided to forgo the booze and play taxi driver to Jack

and Ginge.

I'll drive tonight. That's why I'm not drinking now.

I've got to get the car home tonight.

Respect to Dean as well, for not drinking.

Ah, the spirits are strong but the flesh is weak.

Basically, they decided to trap me into having a drink.

-I've had a bit of a drink, as you can probably

-BLEEP

-tell.

I'm a bit mashed right now.

I'm not driving home whatsoever.

I'm going to take them home in the morning, or the afternoon,

whatever 12 hours works out as.

Oh, shit.

No, because obviously I promised my dad 12 hours bottle to throttle.

I've dropped my fag again.

And as long as I keep to my dad's golden rules, I can't annoy him.

I can't.

After wisely abandoning the car,

Dean and his mates wander off into the night.

The following evening, Dean's parents meet up secretly

to watch him out and about.

-Hiya. All right?

-Yeah, you?

-Not too bad.

First up, the second drive, to paintballing.

Who's brave enough to press the start button then?

-Want me to?

-Yeah.

One, two, three...five.

So that's three in the back of my car.

Probably won't get it off the driveway!

Another cigarette being lit there.

It's almost like he's done it to wind you up.

I'm not sure I want to watch any more. Disappointed.

He's clearly got no clue about aquaplaning, has he?

-That looked really dangerous to me.

-He wasn't slowing down.

No, he didn't slow down. There's a car coming towards him.

Not impressed at all.

The main people I want to be proud of me are Mum and Dad.

Mum's going to be a bit harder to convince, obviously.

She despises the idea, that's the only way to put it.

-I've got my mind set on the Army now.

-Can we stop?

It's that Army rubbish again.

As long as he's doing something good, something honest

and is working, I'll support him whatever he wants to do.

I wouldn't want him

going in the Army purely cos active service all the time and he's

ever so young and I'm a parent, so I think any parent would be concerned.

Then the lunch with Jack.

They do treat me like I'm 16 still, sort of thing.

-Yeah.

-like rules and stuff like that.

It's as if they're doing that for the fact that they don't trust me.

He says we don't trust him but then, you know, prime example,

don't smoke in the car. It's trust.

And straight away, he's betrayed that trust.

And finally, the night out in Eastbourne.

Yeah!

-Oh,

-BLEEP

-. I dropped my fag again.

That's quite amusing.

What a divvy!

I'm not driving home whatsoever.

I promised my dad 12 hours bottle to throttle.

As long as I keep to my dad's golden rules I can't annoy him.

My classic line to him is if you've ever had any alcohol at all,

12 hours bottle to throttle. He has remembered it.

So everything that I heard there makes me proud.

It looks as though Dean is slowly winning his dad's approval.

But it's Judith, not Denzil, who will decide

whether Dean deserves a car of his own or advanced driving lessons.

He's showing to me that he's a nervous driver.

He's not sure, he's not planning, he's not looking ahead.

At the moment, he's heading for an accident, I think,

because he's just not concentrating.

He's going to have some serious chats with me.

However, he has a very good attitude that the

people in his car are his responsibility.

Dean's responsible attitude to driving is good,

but his nervousness is letting him down massively.

He has one more road trip to prove himself.

Lauri's week is almost up

and she only has two days before she has to hand back her mum's car keys.

Today, she's heading back to her university

town of Bournemouth for another big night out.

How does her wallet handle it?

I love it down in Bournemouth, I've got all my friends down there,

my own house down there now, it's really nice.

Bournemouth is 105 miles from Kingston.

They'll be travelling round the M25

and then down the M3 before taking the M27 through the New Forest.

She'll be accompanied by sister Iona and mate Natalie.

Lauri's had a little sunbed.

I've had a little spray tan, I'm not going to lie. But, hello!

A little bit of an accident!

This is the very stretch of motorway where Lauri had one

of her two crashes. How will her nerves cope?

-Speed limit?

-The national average, 70.

And that is what I'm sitting at.

Remarkably well, as it turns out.

The girls arrive at Lauri's student digs in good time to get

ready for another night out.

-Everyone's single.

-Ready to pringle!

I'm away from home now, ain't I?

So...no-one's got to worry about waking their mum

and dad up coming in or anything like that.

We've got our own house, which is quite nice.

Let's go.

Once in the club, true to form,

Lauri is the first to get the shots in.

It isn't long before the girls have boys

hovering like bees around honey.

-The boys are fit!

-Yeah, the boys are fit tonight.

It's the whole uni as well. They're all around our age.

The guys, they're fit.

And little sister Iona looks like she's pulled.

Until big sister gives the international sign for no chance.

Finally, all of the girls leave the club empty-handed.

Back at the house, with Lauri passed out,

Iona and Nat make an interesting discovery.

I got with him a year... No, like, last year.

And then Lauri got with him like three...two months ago.

-And you got with him just now.

-How awkward.

And on that bombshell, the night ends.

The next morning in Bournemouth, Iona is a little bitter that

big sis cramped her style last night.

-It is quite frustrating.

-She's trying to crack on!

Working on my social skills with a male of the opposite sex

and Lauri bites my head off.

It's a big sister thing, I think.

-I don't know, I'm just really protective of her.

-Ah, that's sweet.

By mid-afternoon, Lauri makes the journey home to Kingston,

but while it may be safe to drive,

the conversation gets into dangerous territory.

Who do you think we've all got with?

-I don't want to have this conversation.

-I do. I do.

We all got with Billy. We've all got with Billy!

Ah, there's nothing like keeping it in the family.

At the start of the week,

being on a dual carriageway would have terrified Lauri, but now...

# Doo-doo doo-doo... #

# Ba-da ba-da

# Scaramouche, Scaramouche will you do the fandango?

# Very, very frightening...

# Galileo, Figaro

# Galileo, Galileo

# Oh, oh, oh... #

She's so relaxed that she even takes a coffee break,

which, whilst not illegal, could result in a careless driving charge.

I've been trying so hard to cover the fact that we don't

like each other, and trying to be nice.

No. I love you.

No, I do. I love you.

And she gets the girls back home safe and sound.

The next day brings Lauri's week behind the wheel to its conclusion,

and Judith is driving to Lauri's parents' house near Kingston.

The underlying problem for me is her inability to look ahead

and plan on the approach to hazards,

but each time she gets behind the wheel,

she becomes a little more relaxed,

a little bit more comfortable, a bit more confident.

-Judith Roberts.

-Pleased to meet you.

Together they will watch Lauri's final journey and decide

whether she gets the car or advanced driving lessons.

Shall we have a look at her third drive?

Hello!

She's hands off the wheel, showing off her new nails.

Perhaps she's starting to become a little bit too relaxed.

My money!

We all got with Billy. We've all got with Billy!

They're conversations I'd rather not hear, as a dad.

My main concern is her vision.

I think she's got a bit of work to do there.

-We'll have a chat when she gets here.

-Yeah.

Lauri's home just to drop off her mum's car keys - or so she thinks.

She has no idea what lies in wait for her.

Hi, Lauri.

We have watched and seen everything you've done over the past week.

Driving, going out.

We've seen the lot.

-No.

-Yes!

This is Judith.

Are you all right? Nice to meet you.

She's an ex-traffic police officer,

who's also been watching with us.

The whole process, this whole week that you've been

travelling around in the car, it's been all about the driving.

There is a little bit of a twist.

There is a reward. What's on offer is advanced driving course.

Mm-hmm.

If I think you're safe enough then we would finance a second-hand car

for you and it's down to me to decide

whether you would be safe enough to be out there on your own.

Now it's time for Lauri to see herself in the driving seat.

You went in a bus lane.

I think I saw two other people that went in it

but I don't think I realise I'm in it.

These people here are clearly on the crossing,

they're halfway across the crossing but you just didn't see them.

No. I was oblivious.

Oh, sweet Jesus!

This is like... I do 84 turns!

INDISTINCT ARGUING

I said go up and right!

You're shouting and looking at your sister.

As far as being in control of a lethal weapon,

you weren't concentrating on the road ahead.

Yeah.

The viewing is over, and it's a chance for Lauri to plead her case.

That's all right.

No, obviously the first bit when we drove to Harrow,

but that was the first time I'd been in a car for two years.

I thought I really got better as the week went on, but at the beginning

of the week, I was actually really quite nervous getting in the car.

It's time for the moment of truth.

Throughout your drive, I've seen a pattern of not looking ahead,

not noticing the potential dangers.

Mm-hmm.

After careful consideration

and weighing up how you started your journeys

and how you've got to today, it has been a really difficult decision

for me cos I've got to look at safety,

but I think in this instance,

I think you'd be OK with your own car.

You're joking. Don't!

Thank you. I'm so excited, thank you.

Do you understand?

-I think I'm going to cry.

-Why?

If you've got your own car and you go out on your own,

and you start telling yourself what's ahead, road's going round

to the right, traffic lights coming up, zebra crossing's coming.

What's really important is that you learn from this.

You will be a really good driver but you've still got a way to go.

Lauri's shown over the week that after being initially rusty,

her driving has improved.

She's now ready to get behind the wheel of her own car.

I'm ecstatic, literally. It feels unreal, like.

It feels, like, I'm so excited.

I'm really pleased for Lauri.

I think she knows there was no way she was ever going to get

a car from us again.

Not until she's about 35!

Driving this week, I've really got my confidence back.

At the beginning, I was really nervous in the car

but now I feel I can just get in and go.

Lauri's week may be over but Dean still has a couple of days left

before he has to hand back the keys to his mum's car.

Tonight he's got a reunion planned,

to visit his oldest friend Marcus in south London.

I see him more like a brother than a best friend or anything

because that's just what we're like together.

And he's taking mates Harry, Jack and Tyler along for the ride.

Love you lots like jelly tots.

-See you, Mum!

-Love you lot too!

Stop chatting my mum up!

LAUGHTER

Eastbourne to south London is 64 miles

and Dean will mainly be driving on A-roads,

with a brief stint on the M25 -

Dean's first ever time on a motorway.

To add to the pressure, the weather's terrible

and Dean's got a car full of boisterous lads.

Distracted, he doesn't notice the car joining the motorway.

That's where you use your horn, mate.

That was close.

Fortunately they all arrive in London safely.

The lads check into a hotel so they can meet up with Marcus

and get on the beers.

Hello, mate!

Hello, mate. How are you doing?

-I'm good, man. You?

-I'm sweet.

It's always good to see Marcus.

You too. It's always good.

Friends reunited.

Dean is larging it with the mates that have stuck by him

through thick and thin.

# Because we are your friends

# You'll never be alone again. #

Basically, my friends mean the world to me.

At the end of the day, they're not just my lads,

they're my brothers as well.

I thought it was two in the morning, it's now four in the morning.

I'm not even pissed. I'd say I'm...tipsy.

All I've got to remember is 12 hours.

As soon as I finish a drink I have to remember the time, 12 hours.

The morning after and it's time to check out of the hotel,

but Dean is going nowhere fast.

Just open the door, Dean.

With his dad's rule about leaving 12 hours between bottle to throttle

ringing in his ears,

Dean decides to wait out his time in the underground car park.

We could have made a bit more out of the day,

done a bit more better things with our time

but we're too tired and skint so we've just been chilling

in the car, literally for a good hour and a bit.

Just sitting here! We could've been home by now.

But when the 12 hours are over

and the boys are finally ready to go home, there's a problem.

Well, the battery's dead. So...

Cos we were listening to the radio all day.

I don't know what we're going to do.

Surely if one of us starts pushing the car, doesn't that start it?

Go, go, go.

-What are you doing? Stop!

-BLEEP

-hell, man.

I will stop it, I will stop it.

# P-push it real good. #

We are waiting for Green Flag to come and start the car again.

It's completely gone.

My lucky pants aren't working today.

No, I don't think they are, mate.

After another hour of waiting, the mechanic comes to their rescue.

How do we pop the hood again?

Dean's dad wanted him to leave at least 12 hours from bottle to throttle,

but it's now been a good 16 hours.

Yay!

-On the road again!

-On the road again!

Finally, Dean gets everyone home safely.

Two days later and Dean's week behind the wheel has come to an end.

Judith is on her way for the final viewing with parents

Denzil and Lynn.

Dean's driving is causing me a lot of concern.

It's a very, very difficult decision for me to make, whether I reward

this very inexperienced, young driver with his own vehicle or whether

I think he would benefit actually from some advanced driving lessons.

-Hello.

-Denzil?

-I am, yes.

-Judith Roberts.

-Pleased to meet you.

-Hi.

They all sit down to watch Dean's third and final journey.

We've got a common smoking theme.

We said no smoking in the car.

Him or his mates.

For two reasons. One, it's not his car and two,

whichever way you look at it, it's a distraction.

I'm not even pissed. I'd say I'm tipsy.

LAUGHTER

Oh, dear. No battery.

My poor little car.

'I will stop it. I will stop it.'

It's a very difficult decision for me to make

because he's done some really good things and he's done

some not so good things so we'll wait till he gets here.

Right, OK.

Dean thinks he's returning the keys to his mum's car.

He has no idea what he's about to be confronted with.

-Hello.

-Hello.

-You all right?

-Yeah.

This is a bit strange.

Yeah. We've been watching everything.

I'm sorry, I don't know what to say. I don't know what's going on.

We've been seeing what you've been getting up to the last week.

Yeah?

Well, nothing illegal so don't worry!

-Dean, this is Judith.

-Hello.

Nice to meet you, Judith.

And Judith is an ex-police officer.

Great(!)

I've been asked to come in to have a look at your driving.

As a reward for your doing what you've been doing,

we'll either offer you some money towards your own car or,

if I don't think you're quite ready,

a course of advanced driving lessons.

-Oh,

-BLEEP

-.

Time for Dean to watch his week behind the wheel.

Oh, no!

It was stressful, it was so stressful.

Are we supposed to come down here?

-You're

-BLEEP

-kidding me, it's buses only, Sophie.

I had no idea I'd even gone over the limit by ten miles an hour.

Let alone 12.3.

I did think, shall I avoid that,

but I thought I'd probably have to go out into the road more.

You needed to have slowed down.

Tyson pushing the car!

I'm not sure what you're doing there.

Anything we could. We wanted to go home!

Having seen the evidence, it's time to hear Dean's defence.

The speed aspect is my main concern.

How can you convince me that you will change?

Concentration.

Seeing this actually on the screen, actually seeing it,

has given me a better view of it. Like, I know now what my errors are.

I know what I've got to do now, what I've got to improve on.

I just hope you realise that at all times throughout all of it,

everyone's safety was my main concern.

That's exactly what we said. That's exactly what we said.

And as long as you've acknowledged that, to me,

get the lessons or the car or whatever, that's all that matters.

It's decision time.

Having looked at your whole drive, not just the bits

but all three drives, you've done some good things

and you've done some bad things.

So whilst it's been a really difficult decision,

I do think that at this moment that you would benefit from your own car.

Ah, sweet!

That's so good!

You made it out like I was going to be really bad!

I've been really tense for ages!

No, I'm happy with that.

I'm really happy. Not on camera!

I love you, darling.

It's nice to see that you listened to what I said,

you acknowledged what I said, you weren't afraid to acknowledge it in

front of other people and I've got a lot of respect for you for that.

-I'm proud of you.

-I'm quite happy with that actually.

I'm really happy with that.

Despite not always paying attention

and speeding on his first journey, Dean's overall attitude

and his willingness to learn from his mistakes means Judith believes

he's ready for his own car.

I'm over the moon. I'm really pleased that they saw how I've been driving

cos now they'll actually acknowledge that I am a grown-up.

Satisfaction.

Winning the car and my dad being proud of me -

I'm just as happy with both. Trust me.

That's how much it means to me to hear him say that. It means a lot.

In Kingston, it's been three weeks since Lauri got the thumbs-up

and she's here to pick up her car.

You all right?

'Having a car of my own, it's like I've got my freedom back.

'I can do what I want, go where I want.'

Thank you so much.

I am literally buzzing to get in my car and drive it.

I can't wait to go and get Sara and Natalie.

It feels like it's Christmas and my birthday in one. I love it.

It's my own. It's my own little car.

Lauri's got a car to be proud of.

Let's hope she takes better care of this one.

I gave Lauri the car because having watched her across the whole week,

she's actually a good little driver.

Yes, she made a mistake by failing to notice somebody on the crossing

but after that, she settled down.

She's a very safe, consistent driver.

A few weeks later and it's also time for Dean to pick up his new car.

Proud dad Denzil has come along to oversee proceedings.

There you go, Dean.

It's just a wicked feeling getting the car.

Absolutely amazing. Finally got my own car. Happy with it though.

Having a new car means a lot to me.

It means I can go out with my friends a lot more,

I can do things that we don't normally get to do.

Dean drives off having finally got his much-sought-after independence.

Everybody makes mistakes.

Dean made a huge mistake when he exceeded the speed limit.

We've talked about it. He's mortified.

It was a momentary lapse in his concentration

but across the whole week, that's the only thing that I could see

he did wrong and I genuinely believe

that he will make a very good, very safe driver with his own car.

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

SHOUTING

Scaring the hell out of me!

Oh, my God!

# And when we drink with George She downs it all. #

-Christ!

-Go, go, go.

Oh, my God.

I'm not leaving him though.

I think he's had a bit too much.

It's horrible.

CRASHING

I just scratched the wall.

Scratched the wall?!

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