Dom and David Barely Legal Drivers

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

TYRES SCREECH

This programme contains some strong language

-Oh!

-Last series, 12 new drivers were let loose on the road...

Oh, my God!

..and millions of us got an instant refresher in road sense.

SHE SCREAMS

Move, mate.

Now, we're back with 12 more newbies.

-Right!

-I can't! Those signs mean you can't go right.

So, buckle up...

Bloody hell!

..because, each week, two new drivers

are taking off in a family car.

Oh, that was close!

And they don't know it,

but they'll be secretly watched by their parents.

Each rookie roadster will make three trips,

testing every aspect of their driving.

The cars are fitted with state-of-the-art cameras

and a telemetry recorder hidden in the boot to track their every move.

At the end of it all, former traffic cop Judith Roberts

and top driving instructor John Lepine

will scrutinise their skills.

I do despair, I really do.

-And, finally, if Judith doesn't like what she sees...

-Oh!

-God!

..she'll be dishing out lessons to target bad habits.

But, if the driving is good,

she'll give their parents the cash to buy them a car of their very own.

Tonight, we meet two very different characters -

Dominique, a girl who loves to live in the fast lane,

but whose world has recently been rocked by her parents' split.

HORN HONKS

And volunteer football coach David, who is desperate to fly the nest...

Thanks, mate, you tosser.

..but is kept on a tight leash by his dad Mike.

Do not do that whilst you're driving.

Will Dominique or David win the Oscar for their driving?

SHE GASPS

Dominique!

THEY SING WITH HIGH-PITCHED VOICES

Or will traffic cop Judith give them the boot?

Oh, my God!

I mean, that was just stupid.

Think, first two journeys, I'm thinking, "Oh, dear, oh, dear."

I'm dreading this, to be honest with you.

Welcome to Barely Legal Drivers.

# I love it. #

This is 19-year-old Dominique from Berkshire.

I would 100% say I'm a party girl.

She lives at home with her mum Jane, older sister Danielle

and younger brother Joe.

-Give me a kiss, then.

-No, get lost.

Dominique's recently finished a drama course.

My role model is Cameron Diaz. That's who I'd love to be.

Now, she's busy juggling three jobs,

including promotions on the door of a nightclub.

Are you all right, guys? All got your wristbands ready, yeah? Wicked!

And a hectic social life.

I probably go out about three to four times a week,

depending on when I'm working.

She definitely burns the candle at both ends.

Loud, energetic, blonde.

Loves TOWIE, loves Justin Bieber.

Loves pink.

Just sometimes I want to just say to her, "Look, slow down.

"Just stay in tonight."

Two years ago, Dominique's life was turned upside down

when her parents divorced.

My mum and dad were going through a really rough time and,

obviously, when they eventually did split,

I feel like I was kind of in the middle of it.

I think that was probably the worst time of my life.

The impact on the family was also a financial one.

When my dad left, it was quite difficult for my mum,

cos she did have to keep on paying the mortgage.

We all had to pull weight together and work and help our mum.

But now the family are about to start a new chapter,

as they finally managed to sell the house.

I love this house so much.

It's going to be a really sad time,

but throw a big house party,

say goodbye to the house. Sorted.

# I don't look for trouble, but trouble looks for me... #

Dominique passed her driving test two years ago

and her parents bought her an old car.

My car was everything to me.

But she had no less than three crashes.

Eventually, she had to give up her motor.

It got scrapped in the end, cos it practically fell apart.

With that crash history,

mum Jane's keen for an insight into Dominique's world.

I'd like to see what they get up to

when they're with all their friends,

the music's on and they're all going off out for a night out.

I'd like to see that.

TYRES SCREECH

In East London, 18-year-old David

has a special motto that he lives by.

My life motto is "Nutty geezer". I live by that every day.

Wake up, nutty geezer. It's nutty geezer o'clock, ain't it?

You know what I mean? Six o'clock, nutty geezer o'clock.

So it's nutty geezer.

David's football mad and has set his heart on

becoming a Premier League manager.

That is probably the high-end scope, but,

if you don't dream about it, then you won't achieve it.

Until he scores a job in the Premier League,

he volunteers as a coach with a local youth team.

And, to earn some cash, he works part-time in a shoe shop.

You all right?

And, on and off the shop floor, David talks the talk.

I don't know if the boys agree with this,

but I do think that I'm a heart-throb sort of thing.

-Best chat up line. Best chat up line.

-Is there an airport nearby?

Oh, no, wait, that's my heart taking off.

LAUGHTER AND GROANING

The old charm might have bagged a girlfriend,

but learning to drive has been far from smooth.

On my first driving test, I basically nearly crashed a car,

which weren't really good.

And the geezer, my driving examiner, even got out

and looked at the car and was like, "Mm-hmm." You know what I mean?

So, I was like, "Shit."

But then, finally, fourth time lucky, I prayed to God,

my mum prayed to God, and here it is.

The delight that I have.

A passed driving test.

Thank you, Kevin.

-# Said I'm living in

-# A lost generation... #

David has big dreams.

He's applied for coaching jobs in America,

so it could soon be time to say goodbye to his closest mates.

This is going to be the last time we're together

and we want to go out with a bang, like proper nutty geezer style.

TYRES SQUEAL

In Berkshire, Dominique's big sister Danielle

is whipping up a dinner.

# Nacho, nacho time. #

Yeah, baby!

With mum Jane, they sit down to discuss their impending house move.

So, three weeks' time, we could be out.

Are you all right with that?

-Yeah.

-And can we please go out of Woodley?

-Where do you want to go?

-Henley.

I couldn't afford anything like that!

Dominique is a dreamer.

Forget practicalities, life is all about having a good time.

Dominique likes... is a party animal.

You know, like, with working in clubs and stuff,

cos I obviously need the money and stuff.

But it's not great money, is it?

No, Dominique, it's £20.

You go out and waste your whole night for £20.

You spend half of it coming back home on a taxi.

Yeah, I know, but it's still like an extra £10.

If we moving, if we're going to have to rent...

-You're going to have to help pay.

-Oh, of course. I know that.

But then, how are you going to manage that if...

-Basically, what's going to happen is...

-..you're not working.

There's this new... A film or TV show I'm going to get...

But you can't say that, cos you don't know you're going to get it.

I know! I know. That was a bit of a joke.

-Like, obviously I'll...

-But you're not joking.

-You're actually being serious.

-You actually think that, Dom.

You think you're just going to be famous one day

and that's how you're going to get a load of money.

But you've got to be realistic.

HORNS BLARE

Over in Dagenham, aspiring football coach David is having a meal

with little brother Chris and dad Mike.

This was cooked by my very own hands, this.

Dad Mike's a retired paramedic and it's left its mark.

The thing is, in the job I've done, you see things nobody sees.

Don't you think every kid has to be like that one time.

-Get it out of their system, sort of thing, and be like...

-No.

Some of the things I've seen have been horrendous.

You think, sometimes, it's good to have

where I learn from my own mistakes, sort of thing?

But you seem to be like...

You don't let me learn from myself, sort of thing.

-I like to...

-You do it before I do the mistakes.

You know what I mean?

If I can ease that for you, then all the better.

It's always better to be overcautious with things.

Mike's entrusting David with the family car for the week.

David thinks he's getting the car

so he can have one final memorable summer of fun with his mates.

-OK, here's the keys.

-Cheers. Thank you very much.

-Be careful.

-Will do.

TfL can suck my arse. I've got this baby. You know what I mean?

It will be the first time David has driven a car

since he passed his test a month ago.

Slightly nervous, but...

What David doesn't know is that Mike will also be watching his drives.

You all right getting it out? Reversing out?

Let's go for a nutty spin.

I would take the keys off him if I did think that he was driving

not sensible and dangerous, basically.

Not looking at your eyebrows, 0K?

And do not do that whilst you're driving, either.

HORNS BLARE

With their house sale finally agreed,

Dominique think she's borrowing a car as a treat, just for the week.

-Aww, it's so cute!

-Nice, isn't it?

Mum Jane's just picked it up.

-I love it so much!

-Dom?

-Yeah?

-Promise me one thing.

-Don't crash it.

-Look after it.

It's been six months since Dominique was last behind the wheel.

-It's so cute.

-And she's completely oblivious to the fact that her

driving is going to be scrutinised by her mum and Auntie Lynn.

Love it.

Without delay, Dominique jumps in for a spin to the gym,

with the best mate Lydia.

First, she's collecting Lydia in Henley.

From there, she loops back to the gym in Caversham.

It's 15 miles in total, along narrow country lanes.

# Feels like a perfect night

# For breakfast at midnight... #

Dominique can't resist a little summertime shimmy.

MUSIC PLAYS

SHE HONKS HORN

In jumps best friend Lydia.

-My car is better. Just saying.

-All right!

-Are we good?

-Careful, cos it's a blind corner.

Stop. Stop.

Go a little but further, a little bit further.

Stop, stop, stop. Stop!

-There's nothing coming! I can hear!

-How do you know that?!

-You can't hear everything!

-Wey!

-High-five me on that one.

-Woo!

Oop... Her hands are off the wheel!

# I don't care... #

-Do you think we're good girls?

-Yeah.

Maybe, sometimes. Not. What?

SHE LAUGHS

Definitely not a goody two-shoes behind the wheel.

That's not going to help her.

Arriving at the gym, Dominique swings into a packed car park.

Weeeow!

Oh...

Oh, my days. I'm so sorry!

Sorry, I apologise! She can't drive.

Yes, I can, better than her! She passed second time, I passed first!

Time to pump all that energy somewhere a little safer -

in an abs class.

This is cool. I'm starving.

Lunchtime, and the girls sit down for a catch up.

This is so nice!

We haven't done this in ages.

When was the last time we did this?

-Cos you leave me and go off to uni.

-I leave you and go off to...

Oh, I'm really sorry.

-Really enjoyed that today.

-Yeah, the work-out.

It was different to what I was expecting it to be.

But I really quite liked it...

THEY LAUGH

With Dominique's burning ambition to succeed,

Lydia asks how far she'd go.

-Would you choose a relationship over a...

-No.

Like, if they asked you to move to America

to be in this massive big film.

I'd move to America.

And dump the love of your life?

No, cos if they loved me, they'd still be with me, no matter what.

Wey!

-That was a good answer.

-That was a very good answer.

If you want to do something, you'd say as well, you go and do it,

you won't let anything stop you from doing that.

Dominique wants to plan a midweek get-together,

a few friends for a sleepover, before they have to move out.

You need to help me.

We to go around to everyone's houses and grab all

the duvets in the houses, put them all down in my house.

You need to get on your Facebook and you need to create an event and

tell peeps, and that's probably the best way to communicate to people.

Wooo!

-I'm excited now.

-Yeah.

Without Dominique knowing, the next day,

Jane goes to her sister Lynn's house to watch Dom's first drive.

MUSIC PLAYS

-She's got her hands off the steering wheel!

-Dominique!

She took her hands off the steering wheel.

Oh, no, Dominique! You keep your hands on that steering wheel.

Weeeow! Right, so...

-Oh, my goodness!

-It's...

-It's the music, isn't it?

It's not looking around you as to what's going on

while you're driving that car.

The less you've been in an accident, you don't appreciate that.

-She's had three.

-Three accidents?

-She's had three crashes.

-But into another car?

-Mmm.

-Going into another car?

-Yeah.

So, with Dominique treating the car like a nightclub,

she's going to have to choreograph a much better second drive

to stand a chance of getting her own car.

TYRES SCREECH

In Dagenham, David's getting ready for work.

He's about to drive for the first time ever on his own

and in some of London's heaviest traffic.

Look smart?

-Sell smart.

-Now, that's a confident attitude.

But will he be the same with his driving?

-Give us a phone call when you get there to make sure you're OK.

-OK.

-All right, then. But do drive carefully.

-All right.

-OK, see you later.

-See you later. Bye.

He might have his driving licence, but David's a complete novice.

It's only six miles to the shopping centre,

but he's joining the congested streets of the capital.

Ahead of him are busy A roads all the way to Stratford.

Thanks, mate, you tosser.

On the phone, as well.

Pick a lane, any lane.

Oh, that was close!

A nervy first drive. But he's made it into the multistorey unscathed.

All he has to do now is park.

METAL TAPS

-Oh, that'll do.

-That will do, yeah!

I'm going to reverse back.

Happy days. Done.

Just happy to be parked,

David abandons the family motor at a jaunty angle.

Shift over, and David's off.

-BANG

-Ooh!

Oh, just move it forward, gently, gently.

Watch the one at the front...

Ooh!

Hello, Dad. Problem.

I kind of went back into a car.

There's no-one in there, it was parked up, right.

It's literally a scratch.

The people wouldn't even notice it.

On Dad's advice, he writes down his details.

But, as he returns to the scene of the accident, so does the owner.

I was reversing out, right,

and I accidentally scratched a bit of your car.

Aargh! Where?

Just here.

Just there.

David's done the honest thing

and now he's got to let his folks at home know why he's running late.

I'm stuck on the Docklands motorway on A13.

Back home, finally.

As David's mum is camera shy,

Dad Mike will be watching the drives with family friend Angela.

She's known David since he was small.

-Are you ready?

-Let's go for it.

Oh, David.

I mean, it's just experience, isn't it?

It's such a busy road.

-'Oh, that'll do.'

-Oh! I bet that's easy done, though.

Oh, absolutely. I wouldn't knock him for that.

BANG

David's parking is shocking, really.

In that car park, that was really...

-It was a bit skewwhiff, wasn't it?

-Just a bit, just a bit.

I think he's got a little bit more practice on parking.

So, quite a bumpy ride.

But rookie driver David is trying to do the right thing.

TYRES SCREECH

-Dominique's back from a last-minute job as a TV extra.

-Hello!

-Mummy.

-Hello, girl. How are you? How did you get on?

Yeah, it was brilliant.

It's a fight scene, so there are two girls coming together.

So I had to the old...

facial expression. And the director was like, "Brilliant.

"That's fine, don't need any more takes on her. So, good."

The lady was like, "You're available for next week?"

And I was like, "Yeah." That's Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

So, you're going to do filming at the weekend,

-then you're going to go out doing your nightclub promotion.

-Yeah.

Why don't you see if you can get yourself into more of

a daytime, routine job?

I know. But I enjoy working the nights, Mum.

Yeah, but you're tired and you're doing it for next to nothing.

Dom.

-I will.

-Promise?

-Promise. Pinkie it.

TYRES SCREECH

David and his mates are enjoying what promises to be their last

summer together in Dagenham.

Tonight, everyone is coming round for a barbecue.

Vigilant as ever, Mike's never too far away.

Who put the coals on there?

-Rian.

-The coals should have gone on this.

What they'll do is burn through the barbecue.

-What do you want to do?

-Too late now.

-So what?

-It's going to go through the bottom?

-It may do.

-You're joking.

-No.

-I really do think you can just lift it up.

-No, you can't. It's too hot.

Too much of a risk. Health and safety.

Health and safety?

Let me just try it, please!

-You can't do it. It won't work.

-Look.

There you go.

Who's the man? Call me daddy. I'm covered.

-If I need you, I'll call you.

-What about...

-Barbecue's fine.

I've got Connor here, so he can sort it out.

All right? See you later.

-Hello, boys.

-Oi oi! Got a few beers in.

-Hello.

-You all right?

-Hello, mate. Yeah, I'm all right.

Yeah, with a beer bong,

it only takes three seconds to drink a lager.

Party in full swing,

but Mike can't help checking on the barbecue inferno.

# Makes me feel alive

# Lately I been, I been losing sleep

# Dreaming about the things that we could be... #

Oh, my God!

# Take that money Watch it burn

# Sink in the river The lessons I learned. #

CHEERING

Over in Berkshire, Dom's friends Lydia and Seb

are back briefly from uni.

Woo!

And Dom's determined to make the most of it.

They've planned a sleepover.

# And party and party and party! #

Dominique's driving to Lydia's house in Henley to pick up the bedding.

Then it's over to a supermarket to get the food and drinks,

before driving back home.

DANCE MUSIC PLAYS

Wo-hoy!

Wait, she's dancing with the car across the other lane!

Not sensible with oncoming cars.

We need to get duvets.

Yeah, duvets, and I just need someone to bring around a load of CDs.

PHONE BEEPS

What is she looking down at?

Ah, yes, she can't resist checking her phone.

So, duvets on board.

Here you go. Have a little nap, honey.

Right, guys, we're going to go through the ford. Prepare yourselves.

It's not very... Not very...

Woo! Fa...

Oh, shit! That was tidal wave.

That was tidal wave.

One more time! Can we go through it again?

Test your brakes, test your brakes. You'll have water in them.

That was so good, wasn't it?

Woo!

She's navigated narrow lanes and a ford

and made it to the supermarkets in one piece.

Woo! Straight in, boys.

Party mixers, check.

There's no time to hang around, so it's snacks on the go.

Thanks, darling! Mmm!

Nicest iced coffee ever.

Hands off the wheel again, Dom.

Now she's back on her phone.

This time, texting.

A quarter of young drivers' accidents

are caused by distractions, but Dom's oblivious.

Get the house ready, bitches!

Wooo!

On the home straight now, literally,

and Dom's not holding back.

SHE HONKS HORN

-Let's get this party started, bitch!

-Yeah, bitch!

MUSIC: "Superman Theme" by John Williams

LAUGHTER

-Ta-da!

-Is this Lois Lane?

-Do you love it?

-Hello, sexy!

-Ready, Lyds?

-No, no!

House ready, it's time for a few last-minute touches.

Oh, my God, Lydia!

-You're an absolute nightmare, you are.

-Sorry, me?!

Sun down and her guests have arrived.

One, two, three, go!

Even though some have forgotten their PJs,

for party girl Dominique, there's always a simple solution.

-Do you guys just want to go out tonight? Just go out?

-Yeah!

-Let's go, let's go!

-Just go out, might as well...

Even when the party is at her house,

Dominique can't resist going out.

The next day, Dom and Lydia soothe their sore heads in Henley.

Now, her parents have split,

Dominique has to contribute financially to the family.

You know, when I'm doing, like, eight till four, eight till six,

whatever, and then I have my break

and then I'll jump on the train and go into Reading

and work my club nights, my mum is like,

"I think you need to stop doing that and maybe get more of a daytime job."

I think that's probably one of the best things you could do.

Also because clubbing, promotions, it's really fun,

but it's actually not that good money. Sometimes it really isn't.

And the fact that you need to have a stable income

if you want to try and get somewhere.

You're saying exactly what my mum said. This is weird.

Because I am your mum.

OK? Your mum is wise.

Lydia's parents have also broken up, and, for now,

neither of the girls see their dads.

I think how me and you properly clicked was when...

Remember we had that conversation about...

I won't be able to talk about that cos I'll burst into tears.

I haven't got over it yet.

How do you feel about it now?

For me to say that I haven't got a dad is, like, disgusting,

-do you know what I mean?

-I don't have one either.

-I know.

Sometimes I just wonder how people deal with it.

And it's hard. You know what I mean?

I completely understand.

If anyone, I get you so much.

And we have the best mums in the world, so who fucking needs dads?

I also think we've grown closer to our mums because of it.

The next morning, and mum Jane has once again secretly nipped off

to his sister Lynn's house to watch Dominique's second drive.

THEY GASP

-Dominique!

-She's on her phone. That... That's bad.

She's reading her messages there, isn't she?

-It's too busy going on.

-Yeah.

-She's even texting there, look.

-Yeah.

She could hit anything, couldn't she?

-Whoo!

-It's 25.

-Speed 50...

-51.

-..in a... Oh, my goodness.

She knows how dangerous that road is.

It's just total lack of concentration.

She's too busy wrapped up in...

Don't think the drive that she had on that clip

was as good as the one on the first one.

Now Jane hears Dom's conversation about her dad.

If anyone, you can talk to me about it.

-I've gone through it. So much.

-Yeah, I know.

I know. I do feel that.

Like, for me to say that I haven't got a dad is disgusting.

-I don't have one either.

-I know.

-Yeah.

That's why I sometimes wonder why she does what she does,

because she's trying to prove to Sid that she can do it without him.

What I think is really sad is she says

she'll never talk to her dad ever again.

I 100% know she loves him deep down and she just craves...

-And he loves her.

-Yeah, but...

It's just, things are caught up, and the way things have gone.

Hopefully in time, their relationship will...

-For both their sakes, really.

-Yeah.

Whether Dominique gets a car or more lessons

is down to former traffic cop, Judith Roberts.

With 20 years on the job, she'll be making the final call.

But helping her make the decision will be John Lepine MBE

one of the country's leading driving experts.

# Oh, yeah, yeah

# Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah... #

-I'm not impressed at all.

-She's just so off with the fairies.

She just is not in control.

Next up, Dominique's second journey.

-Oh, my God.

-Sorry.

-Stop.

-Whoo!

-It's 25.

-Oh, dear.

-Wow. 51mph is really not acceptable.

-Whoo!

-Whoosh.

-Straight in, boys.

See, whilst we sit here and think, "Whoa," that was perfect.

She swung in there at a speed I wouldn't like to do.

Wallop. "I'm in. I've arrived."

See all this stuff, you know, changing gear and all that -

it's all very smooth.

She has got the ability to be really, really good.

See, every time you think she's doing really well...

Thought for a minute then she was driving along

with two hands on the wheel, but then, oh, she's got the mobile phone in her hand.

She is driving a motor car clearly reading a text message.

I mean, that's really frightening.

We've got two mobile phones going, a laptop going.

-I don't know what the chap in the back's doing.

-But it's a car!

-I know!

-She doesn't run into things, she doesn't run over things.

I don't know how you're going to feel about the third journey,

but it's going to have to be the most fantastic drive

ever demonstrated in order for you to give her a car, I think.

I mean, it is possible that Dominique can suddenly think,

"Actually, I shouldn't be using my phone,

"and I shouldn't be doing this, that and the other,"

and the third drive, she shows me that she has got what it takes,

and she will prove to me that she is a good driver.

It's not gone well for Dom.

She was very distracted, and using her mobile phone didn't help.

She has it all to do on her final road trip.

CENTRAL LOCKING BEEPS

7.00am, and in Dagenham, David's up already.

This morning, he's rounding up the boys

for an adrenaline-fuelled day

as part of their final big week together.

Going to pick up a few of the boys today

and then we're going to head off to Brentwood go-karting.

Have a nutty one out there.

David's picking up mouthy mates Reegan, Connor and Sean.

The karting is just 12 miles away,

but now he will have a carload to content with.

Reegan's the first to be picked up.

Say what you want,

but there's nothing like a bit of East End hospitality.

CAR HORN BLARES

Fucking idiot.

-Is there any cars in front of you?

-It says "slow" on the road!

Just take it slow. A to B, easy. I want to get there in one piece.

Reegan's still got his L-plates, but that's not stopping him

doling out the advice like a veteran.

Mate, you're allowed to cross your arms over.

You're not doing a test.

-Still drive like what they teach you to drive?

-Exactly.

-Just drive like...

-Better safe than sorry. Sorry.

-That's harder to drive with.

-What, being safer?

Fair point.

-Why are you braking?

-Because there's a car there.

I don't want to scratch it even more than I already have.

In jumps Connor and Sean.

-Just keep going! You've got to go.

-Why can't we go straight?

-No, no.

Go, go, go, go! Go, go, go!

Was that light on amber or red?

It's 60mph. Go on. Floor it!

It's 60, mate.

-I'm going to go the speed I want to go.

-All right, mate.

-If you want to walk...

-All right.

-..get out and walk.

David's completed his first drive with the boys,

and fortunately for David, this time, the car park's empty.

No seat belt, is there?

Hi, guys. I have our results.

-Who do you think won?

-100% me.

I won. I've won.

Third, and already on the podium, fastest lap was 39.6,

so really over a second quicker, this is nutty geezer David.

Yes!

David didn't win, but at least he made it to the podium.

David sensibly drops the car off

and goes to the pub, where the boys discuss the plan

for the rest of the week.

You went camping at V-Fest, didn't you?

-Has anyone got a tent?

-I've got a tent.

-I've got a two-man tent.

-How big's your four-man tent?

-It's a four-man tent.

-Oh, yeah, shit.

So, yeah, we're going to be heading to Clapton. Leave.

I'm hoping to get there at lunch time. So you've got a four-man tent.

I've got a two-man tent. We'll get the food at Romford.

I've never set up a tent before in my life.

-It can't be that hard.

-You put it in the ground.

It's not hard. It's harder to get out.

Sorted.

And as David makes plans, dad, Mike,

makes sneaky tracks to Angela's to watch his second drive.

-Drive like what they teach.

-Exactly.

-That's good. That's really good.

-Go, go, go! Go, go, go!

He shouldn't have listened to him there, should he?

-It was still amber, wasn't it?

-It was still amber, yeah.

So what did you think of his driving?

Uh...

There's still room for improvement.

CENTRAL LOCKING BEEPS

Time for former traffic cop Judith

and top driving instructor John Lepine

to look at David behind the wheel.

Oooh! God, did you see that?

Look at the positives. He's got both hands on the wheel.

His driving position is brilliant.

-Oooh.

-CAR SCRAPES

-Perhaps he hit the car in front again.

-Ohhh!

-But, I mean, a lot of that is really just inexperience.

-I know, I know.

-The rest of it's pretty good. His observation...

-Yep.

That's good. He's parked up to make a phone call.

He's looking in his mirrors.

Obviously his biggest misdemeanour is the car park.

And that, as you say, is down to inexperience

and not looking around himself.

Now, David's second journey.

Can he convince them he's ready for his own car?

-What are you braking for?

-Because there's a car there.

I don't want to scratch it even more than I have.

-He's done that well.

-Yeah. You know.

-Doing the right thing.

-Yeah.

Go, go, go, go! Go, go, go!

-It's amber as he's going over.

-Yeah.

-So that's...

-Just about OK.

-Just about OK.

-It's 60mph. Go on. Floor it!

-JOHN:

-Good passage.

He's concentrating. Looking where he's going.

That was nicely past the push-bike.

The lad displays all the characteristics of a good driver.

-He's not waving his arms about.

-No.

-He's not dancing. He's not eating.

-He's not using his mobile phone.

-No.

But it's a question of, really,

has he'd done enough to convince you,

or is he still not really ready?

Journey three, really, for me, will be the decider.

David started off well in control, but he still made mistakes.

Though as any footballer will tell you,

it's all about preparing for the next challenge.

And for David, journey three is make-or-break.

CAR HORNS BLARE

It's the weekend, and even though the sun's not shining,

it won't dampen Dom's spirits.

She and Lydia are heading for the sea.

Dominique and Lydia are driving from Henley to the south coast.

It's 86 miles to Poole, mostly on the motorway.

And another five miles to Bournemouth,

where they'll stay overnight.

# Hey, you, jump in this ride

# It's real nice, and slippery inside

# Rise, guy, come get this pie... #

Dominique's rapidly redefining the meaning of a mobile disco.

So excited. I couldn't sleep last night.

It felt like Christmas to me.

One hand off the wheel - getting better.

LYDIA LIP SYNCHS

# Hey, stranger, over there

# I'm really liking the way

# You whip it, whip it. #

Speed up!

Come on, car!

-Oh, no.

-What?

INDISTINCT

That scared me, then. What was I doing that for?

Keep those eyes on the road, Dominique.

I'm a sick bay parker.

-Right...here.

-Yeah?

-Yeah.

On the beach, the girls grab a spot of dinner.

I always find sausages so funny. Do you know why?

-Because they remind you of penises?

-SHE LAUGHS

I think that's probably really immature to say. Is it not?

I am immature, though, I think.

I can be mature, but I think I'm more immature than mature.

As the sun sets and the beach empties,

Dom reflects on her mum's advice about slowing down in her life.

I am so lucky to have friends like you and family like I do.

We'll never have this specific time, place. Do you know what I mean?

Not doing what we're doing.

Appreciate what lifestyle we have as well.

-Can I have a hug, then, please?

-Two secs.

I want a hug first. Please.

LYDIA SIGHS

DOM LAUGHS

Anybody back here? Dom?

Back in the Bournemouth hotel,

the pre-drink glasses are charged,

and sister Daniela's joined them.

I smell delicious!

-Right, let's go.

-Ready?

-Ready? Who are we?

-MUSIC: "Crazy Kids" by Keha

# And we are, we are, we are

# We are, we are the crazy kids

# Them crazy, them crazy kids

# And we are, we are, we are

# We are, we are the crazy kids

# We are the

# We are the crazy people. #

SHE LAUGHS

I think we need a few more shots.

Shot! Shot!

# Shot, shot, shot-shot, shot...

# Everybody! #

BOTH IMITATE SONG

And with that insightful comment, they head back for more.

In Dagenham, David's all set and ready

to take the boys off for an Essex weekender in Clacton.

-All right, Dad.

-Give us a ring when you get there.

-I'm off.

-Drive safely.

-Give us a ring when you get there.

-Will do.

As usual, Mike's reluctantly letting David go off in the car with mates.

It's hard, but... Yeah, I'm sure it will be fine.

Do you hear another voice when you sing?

-Yeah. I think I'm so good.

-Do you think you're sick?

I think I sound good as well.

# You are so beautiful... #

Basically, the fact is that you're not.

-But that sounds perfect to me.

-All right, listen.

# You are so beautiful to me. #

That sounds amazing. It sounds husky, a little manly.

No, it's not, man. It's not.

This time he stopped at the lights. Well done.

-You've got to be aware.

-You scare me!

But the biggest challenge is getting 6'5" and 18-stone Charlie

into the reasonably priced car.

Whoa!

Once David's picked up the boys,

he'll be looking for the quickest route out of east London.

He joins the A12 at Romford, past Chelmsford,

and once around Colchester,

the dual carriageway goes all the way to the sea.

As David hits the A12,

he reaches the maximum 70mph for the first time in his life.

Dave, Dave, get back over a bit.

Dave, get back over the other way! Get out of the way!

HE MOANS

Calm down. Why are you shouting at me?

Fucking hell, Dave, you're in the middle of two lanes.

-It doesn't help with you shouting at me.

-That was a close shave.

David misjudged his speed against the other cars as he joined the road.

What's the facilities... at the campsite?

-Do you know?

-Are you bored now?

No, I'm just concentrating on driving, mate.

-What, you can't talk?

-I'm concentrating.

I will try and talk when I can.

I mean, there will be moments when I think, yeah, I can talk,

but now, after that little blip there...

-Well done, geezer. Better concentration.

-Look at his face.

He's concentrating so much.

There we go. Clacton-on-Sea, boys. We're here.

We've made it!

Serious, your parking style is diagonal, Dave.

-At least we're in one piece.

-Least we got here.

-Happy about that.

Looking like they're dealing with hurricane-strength winds,

it doesn't help that none of the boys know how to put up a tent.

Yeah, go on. That's it.

Having forgotten the mallet, they're improvising.

It's a nightmare.

-You haven't got any straight pegs.

-They're all bent.

What the hell are these? Where are these meant to go?

-You mean the tent poles, Sean?

-Did anyone bring instructions?

It takes an hour, but they figure it out,

and David mulls over the rewards of struggle.

I think my dad knows everything.

Even though he's never been camping before, he would know what to do.

It's just a bit shit, really, but we're the boys,

and we can turn this shit into something memorable.

Sundown, and as the summer draws to a close for the lads,

it's time for one final blow-out.

CHEERING

-Oh, my God.

-LAUGHS

I feel fucking wet now. I feel fucking cold now.

I tell you that now.

Next morning, and David has a confession to make.

You know last night, right, when you said, "Oh, drink the vodka," right?

What's the reason why it went all over me?

-Did you pour it over yourself?

-Because I didn't want to drink it.

-Why'd you do it, then?

-What do you mean?

I told you why I didn't want to do it.

And you were like, "Go on, David, just do it, just do it".

If I don't want to drink, I won't drink, so I didn't drink it.

Why are you shouting for?

People shouldn't just give in to peer pressure like that, you know what I mean?

Have fun, but I'm not going to get absolutely pissed

the night before I'm going to have a long drive, you know what I mean?

Yeah, you're sensible.

I'm think I'm always going to have that sort of side about me

where I'm always going to think before the next day sort of thing.

-Cautious and sensible.

-Yeah. I think that's not a bad thing,

I just think that's just the way I am sort of thing.

I've just been brought up that way.

CAR HORN BLARES

It's the end of the week in Berkshire,

and ex-copper Judith's driving to watch Dominique's final road trip.

Journeys one and two I think she was very much playing up

for her friends, showing off.

In fact, she's bordering on dangerous at the moment.

I'm hopeful that in journey three,

she puts all that behind her

and starts to concentrate on the road ahead.

KNOCK AT DOOR

-Hi there.

-Hello.

-Come in.

-This is my sister, Lynn.

-Hello, Lynn. Judith Roberts.

-Hello. Nice to meet you.

Dominique arrives home.

And she has no idea what's waiting for her.

Yo, yo!

-Hey, man!

-Hello!

-Hello!

We've actually got something to tell you.

-We've actually been spying on you.

-LYNN:

-No, it's about your driving.

-Oh, my driving?

-Yeah, your driving, Dominique.

This lady here is Judith Roberts,

and she's an ex-traffic police officer.

It's my decision whether or not to award you

with your own car by the end of it.

-What?

-Or...

I just heard, like... I could get my own car?

-Oh, my God.

-Well, it might not be.

How do you think you are behind the wheel?

I know I drive too fast and now I'm, like, killing myself,

because if I could get my own car, like...

..it would just be unbelievable.

Time for Judith, Jane and Lynn to watch Dominique's final drive

while Dominique considers what's at stake.

I drive fast. I know that.

Like, doesn't everybody? Like, come on.

Everyone... I mean, OK,

older people and stuff will always obey the speed limit,

but most people drive over the speed limit.

And I know that I do. I will be honest with myself about that.

And thinking about it now, I know I do dancing in the car and stuff,

and I know I can be a bit crazy, but I do think that I'm a good driver.

What are your thoughts, Jane?

-I'm dreading this, to be honest with you?

-Really?

-Yeah.

I'm not looking forward to it at all.

I'm hoping that she's going to be a bit more sensible

and not on her phone.

Like, tonight, I'm working 9.00 to 3.00,

and tomorrow, I'm working 8.00 to 8.00,

so just being able to have something to get me around, like,

it would just be unbelievable.

I know that it would just help me out so much, and it's just...

OK.

# Hey, you, jump in this ride

# It's real nice and slippery inside. #

That's something I don't like. It's the no hands on the steering wheel.

Speed up! Come on, car!

-Oh, no!

-She's looking in the mirrors.

-She's seen him behind her, hasn't she?

-Yes.

-See, if she concentrates, she's...

-I know, I know.

-..so much better.

Here, that's perfect.

She's signalled, manoeuvres, she's seen the traffic joining,

so she's thinking, "Right, I'll move out". Jane.

Well, I thought that was so much better. She didn't touch her phone.

-I feel better watching that.

-Yeah. I do.

I agree with you.

I think the first two journeys, I'm thinking, "Oh, dear, oh, dear."

You know. But big improvement there,

which shows she can do it if she wants to.

Now Dominique gets her chance to watch how she really drives.

SHE LAUGHS

Oh, no.

-Indication would have been nice.

-Did I not indicate?

Oh, no. He shouldn't have been...

He should have been on the side. Sorry.

-Whoo! Straight in, boys.

-This impressed me.

First time you did it, I thought, fluke.

Then when I saw this the second time,

and subsequently a third time, I thought, "That's pretty good".

There is no reason for you to change lanes,

but you've changed lanes because...?

-Those people can get on.

-Exactly.

You've completely taken control.

Signal, out you've gone,

and left it completely clear for all those cars joining.

I thought that was really good.

You're driving with your phone in your hand.

-That is a three-point offence.

-I'm not using it.

I was just having a look at the message.

I would never, ever text when I drive.

Talk me through your driving.

That MINI had pulled out of that side road -

you were looking down here on the phone.

And you wouldn't have seen them. It would have been awful, awful.

51 in a 40. You're looking at three points, minimum.

For me, there's things that I do that I need to stop.

So it's not driving so fast, it's, yeah, the phone,

and to be fair, I don't know

why I was actually doing it a second time,

because I never really use my phone.

I think all in all, I know what I'm doing.

Judith has watched all three road trips

and checked the telemetry recorder for speeding.

It's time for her to make a decision.

It is hugely difficult for me.

There is something in you,

and I can see that when it's drawn out,

you will be a good driver.

I know you want the car.

I think on this occasion,

you would benefit

from some more lessons.

More than anything, I'd hate to get a phone call

to say you'd been in an accident.

I'd actually hate that. You know that.

Yeah, but, I know that I'm a good driver, Mum. I know I am.

-I know there's things I do that are stupid.

-I knew you are as well.

But it does only take split-seconds to have an accident.

-Sorry.

-I'm proud of you anyway.

-I just want...

-I know.

You don't understand.

It's dangerous, darling.

Come on. You didn't have it in the first place.

You didn't have it to lose anyway.

I'm absolutely gutted.

Because being able to have my own car,

I genuinely feel that I deserve that more than anyone.

Like, I have not got the money to get a new car. Like, I work 27...

..24/7, and it would've just absolutely been the best thing

that's ever happened to me.

It actually would've been the best thing that's happened to me.

With Dominique off to driving school,

it's almost the final whistle for David.

His future is still in the balance.

For me, this whole exercise is whether or not he's safe.

My decision not to reward Dominique with the car was easy.

Hands off the wheel, dancing, drinking, eating,

using a mobile phone -

she was a serious accident waiting to happen.

David, on the other hand, hasn't displayed any signs

of dangerous driving,

but he's still making mistakes

that really perhaps he shouldn't be doing.

My final decision really does rest on David's final drive.

If he can give me a good, comfortable, competent drive,

then my decision will be made.

After his first ever week behind the wheel,

David is on his way home,

completely unaware that his driving has been secretly scrutinised.

-All right, mate?

-All right, David? Just come inside.

-Oh, what's this about?

-Do you want to take a seat, David?

-Do you want to take a seat?

-Oh, I knew this would happen.

-Do you want to take a seat, David? David.

-I knew this would be it.

Annoyed at everyone's deception, David takes time out to calm down.

Back inside, Judith, Mike and Angela watch the final drive.

Good. When I saw journey two,

David actually - he went over on amber.

I think he's learned by that mistake,

and this time, he's been able to stop.

Dave, Dave, get back over a bit!

You or I would have put our foot down and gone.

-That's just lack of experience.

-Absolutely. I totally agree.

-I'm just concentrating on driving, mate.

-Good boy.

-What, you can't talk?

-Now, after that little blip there...

-He's taken on board what's happened.

He won't be doing that again.

Gosh, so...

I'm quite impressed, actually.

Maybe I'm a bit biased. I don't know.

But all I see with David is a sensible lad.

He's not reckless by all means. He's not one of these boy racers.

Obviously now I have to sit back and think what I've seen,

have a chat with David, and see where his head is.

Persuaded to come back,

David is prepared to listen to what Judith has to say.

-What have you done?

-What have YOU done?

HE LAUGHS

What happened there?

That van, I should have just waited and let that van go.

At that point, I know you're going to hit that car.

-BANG

-Wallop.

It's 60mph. Go on. Put your foot on it!

That is a really great attitude.

In fact, the telemetry recordings show David didn't speed once.

Never ever listen to a passenger.

How do you think you did over the three drives?

That little scratch on the car affected me quite badly actually.

Over the days, progressing, I felt more comfortable driving,

so I think it got better.

It's my unenviable position, obviously, to make a decision

whether or not I feel, at the moment,

you're safe to go out there in your own car,

or if I don't think you're quite there yet

and that you would benefit from some instructor sitting with you,

then obviously that's what I would recommend.

You don't seem to have any dangerous pattern,

but you do odd sporadic things that a tutor may point out to you,

and you would then recognise the next time that you're driving.

Quite often, I give a decision that I think is right

and you probably won't.

I really think that in this situation, um...

you would probably benefit...

-..from your own car.

-Yes!

Oh, brilliant.

I'm absolutely buzzing!

It's a good opportunity, even though

I wasn't so happy at the beginning of it,

but then I've got a car out of it.

That's all I can say,

so I'm absolutely thrilled and buzzing and, yes!

Can't wait.

Really want to wrap him up in cotton wool,

but you can't - you've got to let him go at some stage.

It goes so quick.

It flies past.

He was...

When he was that small, just learning to walk

and now he's learning to drive and got a car.

As long as they're happy - happy and healthy, that's the main thing.

A week later, and David's about to become the proud

new owner of his very first motor.

-Excited.

-Yeah.

-This is proper nice, innit?

-It's yours.

-No, I know.

-Freedom!

-Freedom.

Deserved it. Done well.

And already, having a car has had a positive impact on David's life.

I've been offered a job in football coaching and without this car,

I probably wouldn't have got it.

Yeah, I can only see things going forward.

He may not have been a natural,

but he was a safe driver with the right attitude.

Dad, see you later.

And now David has a car,

he can put everything he's learned into practice.

Dominique's bad driving habits have been targeted

on her very own driving course.

First up, the consequences of using her mobile behind the wheel.

Oh, that's horrible. So horrible.

Thinking that could be a real person, like,

your life would just change for ever, it really would.

And it just goes to show - don't be an idiot whilst you're driving,

like, don't do a Dominique and look at your phone.

Next time on Barely Legal Drivers...

I stalled.

Oh, it's cos I'm not putting the handbrake down.

THEY LAUGH

No, no - left, left, left!

-What's wrong with you?!

-Crikey!

She rang me three times.

I feel like you don't have to go to church on a Sunday.

You do need to go to church every Sunday, Mr!

-Oh, my gosh.

-Oh, no!

Shit!

That was horrendous!