Rob and Rebecca Barely Legal Drivers

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

BOTH: Oh!

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

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

Move, mate.

Now, we're back with 12 more newbies...

-Right.

-I can't. You can't go right.

..so, buckle up...

Bloody hell.

..because each week, two new drivers are taking off in a family car.

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...

THEY GASP

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

But if the driving's good,

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

Tonight, two characters from opposite ends of the country.

Down south, tongue-wagging, freedom-loving Rob.

A lad who likes to do what he wants, when he wants.

-And up north, Rebecca.

-Oh, my god.

A young lady who likes to be the one making the rules.

You're not having my bedroom.

ALL: I don't care!

Will either convince our traffic cop that they have the road skills

and common sense to get a car of their very own?

So, belt up, it's Barely Legal Drivers.

This is 20-year-old Rob. A geography student raised in rural Hampshire.

Rob loves three things in life - music, football and his mates.

I'm just hugging you.

He's a dog, he's literally a small puppy.

Chuck a ball and Rob will literally run after it.

Go, Rob!

When not at university in Aberystwyth,

he lives at home with his elder brother Dave,

a music student, and his parents Mike and Joy.

Life hasn't been totally plain sailing for Rob -

he had to grow up pretty quick.

My husband hasn't always been well. That's not been easy.

He can't do as much as other people's dads can do

because of his epilepsy.

So, through the boys' childhood, Joy was the main breadwinner,

working shifts as a night nurse.

It was a tough time.

It wasn't easy for either of the boys, I don't think.

It was very, very stressful.

I wish I had been there more when they were little.

Rob weathered a few storms.

At school, his mild speech impediment made him

the butt of other boys' jokes.

I couldn't pronounce my Rs.

At the time, it upset me a lot.

I played football for two hours in my garden every day

because I was so wound up from people taking the mick out of me.

But despite, or perhaps

because of these tough times, Rob is now pretty damn self-confident

and has an adventurous streak as wide as the M25.

Spontaneity is probably what makes me tick.

I feel as free as I possibly can.

And I just enjoy being lost and not knowing where I'm going.

It's like more of an adventure.

Rob inherited an old banger from his aunt,

but it kept breaking down and he couldn't afford to keep it.

Little does he know that this week, depending how well he drives,

he could end up with the money for his very own motor.

But will his passion for freedom be his undoing?

The fact that he is a spontaneous person

means that he's unpredictable.

I hope that if he does get up to any mischief, it's legal.

300 miles, due north in the seaside town of Hartlepool

lives 18-year-old Rebecca.

Another barely legal driver desperate for her own car.

She lives with her younger brother James and her dad David.

And just like Rob, Rebecca

and her family have dealt with some serious issues.

My dad has MS

and he has got really ill as I've got older.

Because of my ill health...

I don't come off this chair unless I'm on my mobility scooter.

It had a huge effect on her growing up.

Rebecca's mum and dad Sonja and David had a difficult divorce

four years ago, and they rarely contact each other.

It left Rebecca as her dad's primary carer.

She's seen a lot as a young girl, with her dad.

In and out of hospital. Things she shouldn't have seen at her age.

I can't take that back.

And having run the home since she was 14,

it's made her a force to be reckoned with.

She likes to be in control of everything she's doing.

You all sit down. Get out the way.

She's a little cow.

Especially to her friends, so that's why I call her Becky Bitch.

And her friends agree.

She's always been in control, because of that situation, so

it just comes across as bossy to us, but we know that it's in a nice way.

But this week, her A level results are in and life may be

about to throw up another challenge if the grades are right.

Going to university is going to be the hardest thing I've ever done.

Just because I cannot not be around my dad. I'll ring him every day.

It's just going to be really difficult.

Rebecca's parents are keen to see

if she's as in control as she appears.

David used to be a driving instructor

and he thinks he knows her type.

Slightly too confident.

If you're going behind the steering wheel

and you're that sure of yourself, you're not watching.

And that's a concern.

Both Rob and Rebecca are about to undergo a unique

undercover driving test. Every gear change

and clutch down will be watched over by their parents and our experts.

Can the barely legals prove that they have what it takes

to get their own set of wheels?

Back up in Durham, Rebecca sometimes borrows her mum's car to do

the odd job for her housebound dad.

Little does she know that Mum's going to give her

the car for a week to secretly watch her driving.

-Hello, Mother.

-Hello, Becky Bitch.

-Urgh, don't.

Take your coat off, I'll make a nice cup of tea.

So, your results, Becky, Thursday, how are you feeling about that?

I worked a lot harder than usual, so I should do better than what...

I usually do, really.

I always do OK, so I should do better because I've tried.

From now until you go to uni, OK, I'm going to let you use my car.

There's my car keys.

You can use it for a bit. Drive safe.

I can replace a car, but I can't replace you.

Aw, stop being maternal.

-So you can use my car.

-Thank you.

Rebecca's got her hands on the keys to her mum's motor

and top of her to-do list is shopping for her dad.

I'm going to get James and then I'm going to go out.

-Where are you going?

-MetroCentre.

Former driving instructor Dave is already on her case.

-What are you wearing on your feet to drive?

-Nothing.

I wasn't going to take anything.

What if your feet slide off the pedals?

My feet have never slid off pedals before.

They'll be fine. I might put plimsolls on.

-Could you put plimsolls on your feet, please?

-I might.

-I'll see you in a minute.

-Love ya.

Phew, she's listened to Dad.

Rebecca's picking up mate James

and then they're off to run errands in Gateshead 35 miles away.

It should take the pair 50 minutes door to door.

Oh, that should test the suspension.

Becca's not a fan of dual carriageways -

they really stress her out.

And when she's stressed, she makes mistakes.

Oh, no.

Slip roads make me so nervous.

Middle lanes make me nervous.

Like not looking ahead.

I did not see that roundabout coming.

I was driving on thinking, "I'll go in this lane. Everyone's moving off."

I'm really sweaty.

It's cos I haven't drove in so long.

Then comes a real clanger at the lights.

-Oh, Rebecca.

-Just gone through a red light, didn't I?

-Yeah.

That's a bad roundabout cos you can't see the lights till the last second.

Why would they put the lights there? It's a bit of a stupid system.

At last, she finds the car park.

Oh, my god.

-Then she also finds the kerb.

-Oh.

And finally, let the shopping begin.

And first on the list of things for her dad.

I think that is his size.

That's a man's secret.

Errands done, time for a catch up with James

and a countdown to those life-changing A level results.

I was trying to get to sleep last night and all I was thinking was...

"..How many days?

"Five days till I get my results."

Are you not worried about leaving your dad?

Yeah, he'll miss me.

He'll pretend like it's fine, but he's openly said that to me.

He openly said, "I'm going to miss you.

"It's going to be really hard without you."

I'm more worried about my brother having to look after him.

I'm just thinking, if my dad has a bad day,

I'm just worried that emotionally he's not adult enough.

-Does James know how to deal with that?

-No.

Cos he's never been there.

We'll be OK. My dad's fine.

All he needs, I'll ring him every night to say,

"Have you took your tablets?" He'll be OK.

That evening, Sonja and David settle down to watch Rebecca's first drive

in secret. After their split, they insist on watching separately.

David brings his professional eye to the task.

She's not using her central mirror.

Rebecca, hands on the steering wheel.

-Rebecca.

-But then an unarguable mistake, or so you'd think.

Just got through that light, didn't I?

I'm not so sure you got through that light, that looked red.

That's a bad roundabout cos you can't see the lights till the last second.

Becky's always got an excuse.

She'll always blame something else but herself.

Slip roads make me so nervous.

She's doing all right. Cos that slip road, I don't like that slip road.

You can hardly see behind you.

And all of a sudden you come onto the slip road

and there's loads of vehicles.

While Mum's fairly happy with the driving,

Dad is focused on his daughter's thoughts about leaving home.

Are you not worried about leaving your dad?

I think I'm more worried about my brother having to look after him.

I'm just thinking,

if my dad has a bad day...I'm just worried he's not adult enough.

-Does James know how to deal with that?

-No, cos he's never been there.

I'm going to just pause this a second.

-Can I have five minutes, please?

-Yeah. No problem. Yeah.

Do you mind, just give me a minute.

I am emotional when it comes to my children.

The more I heard what she said,

and the fact that that's something what's on her mind

and it's a discussion she's had with a friend, which is

a discussion I want to have with her

and I probably should have had that with her by now,

because I don't want Rebecca going to university with any concerns.

I just want her to concentrate on what she's doing

and if needs be, being regular daily phone calls, whatever it is

to let her know everything is going to be fine, which it will be.

In Hampshire, Rob's tucking into Mum's grub.

But something is bothering her.

We were quite worried about you in the autumn time

when you were first up there.

It's just cos I was drunk all the time.

And the day that we went up to see you,

drove all the way up to Birmingham,

caught the train from Birmingham to Aberystwyth,

expecting you to just be coming back from a lecture,

and actually you were just getting out of bed.

Didn't do a lot for our confidence in your ability to go to lectures.

I didn't really go over the top.

I drank quite heavily. You probably say I went over the top.

Are you still doing gigs at uni?

Yeah, I play the open mics.

Are you still doing that?

Yeah, but I just... drink and play them.

That's what I do.

After being away at uni for a year,

Rob's planned a big reunion with his old school mates,

and Mum's even lending him her car,

but if he only knew why and what was at stake...

-Who wants the car keys?

-Me.

-You want the car keys?

-No, Kurt wants the car keys.

-Of course I want the car keys.

-Right, OK. Listen to me, please.

-I need my car back in one piece, please.

-Yes.

No sooner does Rob get the keys in his grasp, he makes a gaff.

-Have you got enough diesel?

-No. Oh, is it diesel?

I didn't know whether it was diesel or a petrol.

Schoolboy error from the university man.

-Drive carefully.

-Here we go, then.

And finally,

the big reunion is off for a night's camping in the New Forest.

It's a 21-mile trip to the campsite, which should take the lads

just under 40 minutes.

Thanks to Aaron's GPS, navigation is sorted,

although roaming Rob has other ideas.

Nah, I'm going my way.

You're making the journey ten minutes longer for no reason.

It's quicker this way. Oh, I could have gone on the motorway.

-The quicker way, you

-BLEEP

-mug!

With the sense of direction of a blind homing pigeon,

Rob's quickly in trouble.

These just aren't moving.

Go for a crawl.

Nice and slow, Rob, that's it.

-Look how fat you are.

-Kurt, it's pregnant.

-Oh, it is as well.

Easy. Nicely navigated.

It's down here on the right, apparently.

Rob's managed to confuse the satnav.

-Amazing.

-ALL: Meadow Avenue.

Leading to Meadow Court.

-He's lost. Time to go old school.

-Right, get out.

This is about as zoomed out as it could possibly be.

You could just drive around for a while until we get internet.

We're going to drive about until we find it.

Still clueless, freewheeling Rob pushes on regardless.

-And we can't ask anyone cos we're men.

-Exactly.

In the fading light of the afternoon, Rob remains unhurried.

-Why are you going in there?!

-I started going.

Idiot!

-Oh! That was it!

-You're a

-BLEEP

-idiot!

No.

Kurt, we've driven past it now.

Base camp.

It may have been a long and winding road,

but despite the detours, it was a pretty smooth trip for Rob.

With the campfire roaring, the boys reminisce about their good old,

bad old school days.

"Wob" not being able to pronounce his Rs for years.

It's "Wob."

-"Weally" having fun, aren't you?

-Yeah.

And then clocking on to the joke about two years after

you've managed to pronounce your Rs, finally.

The New Forest, the new home of witty banter.

I just love how we bullied you about if for years and didn't clock on.

And then after you managed to pronounce your Rs, "I get it now."

"I thought it was just a funny joke."

I thought it was a joke.

It was a joke, you just didn't get why.

Repressed memories, there.

So angry and depressed by everything that was taking place.

-He was "weally" angry.

-No, I'm not going to talk

if you're going to take the piss out of my impediment, then, am I?

-Sorry, what?

-BLEEP

-you.

Next morning, and while Rob tucks into a tasty breakfast,

back home, his mum is secretly about to watch his first drive

with family friend Sue.

-Does anyone know where they're going?

-They don't know, do they?

-Oh, for

-BLEEP

-sake.

-Rob, language.

Gosh, have to be so careful.

Yeah. What the forest is like, this time of year, it's all foals.

-What's he doing?

-Keep your hands on the wheel.

We have seen a lot of Fordingbridge today.

I think he had his hands off the wheel more than he should have done.

I don't think they did too badly.

He wasn't getting much help from everybody.

He was getting all sorts of ideas from the rest of the boys,

and I think, as Joy says in the end,

he went the way he thought he should go. And they got there.

Not bad.

But then Joy catches the boys' conversation around the campfire.

It's "Wob."

-"Weally" having fun, aren't you?

-Oh.

And then clocking on to the joke about two years after

you've managed to pronounce your Rs, finally.

I didn't realise he was under pressure about his speech at all.

Didn't realise that when he was growing up.

It makes you realise that there's things that go on for your kids

that you really don't know about.

They don't tell you everything, do they?

-And something like that, you'd want to be there.

-Yeah.

I didn't know.

If I had been, I think I would have...been a bit more supportive.

-Is the fire hot?

-Yes.

In the North East, Rebecca and her brother James are up and about.

Are you keeping that top on? Have you done everything else?

-Hair, teeth, clothes?

-Yes.

To take her mind off the A levels, they're going to a theme park.

Er, barefoot, are you sure about that, Rebecca?

With mates Laura and the other James on board, it's a 90-minute,

65-mile drive to Flamingo Land.

They may have the maps and GPS,

but everyone knows who is really in charge of this trip.

And we need to stay on the A19.

Laura, at the top, it'll tell you how long we need to be on the A19.

Hands on the wheel, Rebecca!

Everyone on alert - I think we have about 29 miles,

but we need to look for the "A16A".

My little tootsies are killing me.

Bet you wish you'd listened to your dad now.

Next, it's a speed check - but with her passengers!

I'm just going to ask yous - because I'm not 100% -

-it is 60 on a single road, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-It's 70 on the A2.

Then the clouds close in,

and if there's one thing Rebecca hates...

Oh, my god! I cannot see a thing.

..it's driving in torrential rain.

No, I just had a mini heart attack there.

-You know when you panic?

-Yeah.

Because I thought that was as high as the wipers went.

Brother James cuts in with a safety alert.

-Chippings!

-I thought it said chickens!

-Why would there be loose chickens?!

-I don't know!

And, finally, Rebecca and her mates reach the park

to abandon themselves to truly scary driving!

This is not a fun ride!

Time for brother James to reveal his own agenda

about Rebecca's move to university.

-You're not having my bedroom!

-I am having your bedroom.

He thinks he's having my bedroom.

-How long before you go?

-I'll be back every...

He's saying I get the cupboard room. It's not happening.

My going to university doesn't mean I should be punished.

You've left the family home.

-I'm not being moved into the shed.

-Happens to the best of us.

-No!

Next day, Sonja and David prepare to see Rebecca's second drive.

Straight off, David sees his bug-bear.

I'm a bit frustrated - the fact she's telling me now that

she is wearing them, but she's not wearing them.

Nothing on her feet again, but she's got shoes in her hand.

-And in the back of a car they go.

-It is 60 on a single road, isn't it?

It's 70 on the A2.

There's a speed sign there, and she's missing them.

She's the driver.

She needs to get them from A to B, so it's about her driving

and watching where she's going.

Overall, I'm pleased with her driving.

But, yeah, I think she did that better this time.

BEEP BEEP

Luckily, Rebecca's parents David and Sonja don't have the final call

on whether Rebecca gets her own car - or lessons.

That decision is down to ex-traffic cop Judith Roberts.

Inspecting the footage with Judith is John Lepine MBE,

one of the country's top driving instructors.

If anyone can spot a barely legal driver, it's John.

This road is making me so nervous.

Keep both hands on the wheel, that would be a good start.

-Oh, no!

-Oh!

Crikey!

Then some real gaffes.

I did not see that roundabout coming.

How can she not see a roundabout coming?

-That looks like a red light to me.

-That's awfully dangerous.

Can I ask you, because I'm not 100%. It is 60...

"I'm just going to ask you, because I'm not sure."

It is a bit worrying, isn't it?

I haven't seen her look in a mirror at all!

She is there, but only at the guys in the back, not at the traffic.

No, she's looking at James.

She's not looking ahead. She's not planning.

She's not seeing stuff until they're thrown at her,

and, of course, she's chat chat chat chat chat the whole time!

But the actual driving task is not too bad.

If she would just concentrate on what she's doing.

She seems to have the necessary skills.

While her general driving is not too bad,

Rebecca's poor mirror use

and lack of planning ahead needs improving.

So, if she can focus and keep checking those mirrors,

she might still be in with a chance of getting that car.

CAR HORN BLAST

Coming up: Rob and the boys jump around in the car.

BOYS WHOOP

And Rebecca and her mates hit the shots.

# I don't care

# I love him. #

It's A level results day and Rebecca has got some news for her dad.

I got two Bs and a D.

D in Maths.

Like, I know I was trying for a C, but I didn't do as well as I thought.

This is what I'm really not happy with myself about.

I told you, I was basically guaranteed an A in Business,

and I only got a C in the exam.

I thought you would've got higher grades than that.

I think you're capable of getting higher grades than that.

But you got what you needed,

and ultimately that's what counts.

I'm just... This is how I feel. Urrrh!

You know the way I look.

-I always look at the pint glass as half full, not half empty.

-I know.

So, as far as I'm concerned, you've got a full pint.

You're going to uni.

My health gives me a different point of view on things.

I'm not going to dwell.

She's disappointed - I'm not dwelling on her disappointment.

She needs to be happy with what she's got, and move on from it.

She wanted better, but she's got what she needed,

and that's all what counts as far as I'm concerned.

So, I'm really, really proud of what she's achieved.

I'm happy.

CAR HORN BLAST

Back in North Baddesley, the boys are stuck to the sofa.

But not Rob. The open road is calling him.

I'm going to just go for a drive

and just aim for the sea.

-I want a beach.

-Yeah, let's go to a beach. For a swim.

-I want to push Kurt in the sea.

-I want fish and chips.

Right, let's go.

It's just a case of dragging everyone with him.

Where are we even going?

Without a care...

or a clue, Rob's out on the road again,

and this map is useless

as he has no idea where he's going or how long it'll take him.

The fun is we don't use maps.

Fine, we won't tell you.

We don't need maps. Yeah...!

Rob's off on one.

# I had a wheelbarrow

# The wheel fell off

# Counting! Counting! #

What is it about that song?

I don't know.

Now, I do not know where I am going.

Going towards Bournemouth.

Yeah, but that goes back.

Rob's knackered. Not good.

Then, back-seat inspiration.

-So, let's go to Weymouth.

-So, Weymouth it is.

Weymouth, that one! Go left, go left, left, left!

-Oh,

-BLEEP

-sake!

-Go round the roundabout!

-All the way round!

-Jesus...!

How long did it take you to move over?

Then a chancer cuts Rob up.

Phew! That was close.

I didn't think Weymouth was this far.

Rob's not thought this through.

He's not a natural-born long-distance driver,

and being sleepy behind the wheel is serious.

It causes 25% of most smash-ups.

Before Rob slips into a coma,

they see the sea.

Weymouth, which means two things - beach, fish and chips.

Oh, that's three things. And it's dark.

BOYS LAUGH

Rob reclines, and the boys go to work.

I'll make you a little pillow.

-Put your head down.

-Piss off!

Nice pillow!

Make me boobs.

Boobs and a massive willy!

All the ladies are going to want you after they see this willy, Rob.

There we go!

How does that one look?

That's one for...Instagram.

After a beach nap,

Rob's recharged and ready to get back on the road.

The next day, Joy and Sue reconvene for Rob's latest adventure.

-Oh, he is tired! Oh, Rob!

-Stay awake, Rob.

-Yeah.

Put your hand on the wheel.

Ooh, a motorbike! Rob!

Watch his eye level. He's constantly watching his speedo which is good.

I think he's reasonably safe.

I do think he was very tired.

He was aware of what was going on.

He was aware that it was important to stick within the speed limit.

Lovely to see him exploring and out with the guys, really.

SQUEALING TYRES

Mum's on Rob side, but the bike incident

and all that yawning scupper his chances with judges Judith and John.

Looks very confident behind the wheel.

-What's he doing with his left hand?

-Hand on the steering wheel!

-'Left, left, left, left.

-Oh,

-BLEEP

-sake.

-'Go round the roundabout.

-Jesus...!'

That was very good, there.

They got in the wrong lane, but he's gonna go round the roundabout

and attack it from a safer angle.

-Oh!

-Oh!

They looked a bit tight there - that motorbike.

That's not down to him - I think that's down to the motorbike.

CHATTER AND LAUGHTER

Not too bad so far, I don't think.

I'd like to see him use his mirrors a few times more.

But overall, I think Rob did very well.

The boy's done good.

But there's still one big road trip to go,

and knowing Rob, that could be to anywhere.

CAR HORN BLAST

In Hartlepool, Mum's away

and with a free house, Rebecca's making the most of it.

Do you know what I think we should do, though -

sort out like a smoking station.

You know that green thing that you usually put

your tabs out in? Well, you put it somewhere secluded

so you're not smoking on top of everyone.

We'll make it known. When they come in, you can tell them...

-Put a sign on?

-A little purple sign, Smokers here. Smokers welcome.

What no-one can prepare for are James's dance moves.

Has someone spiked him, because he's so drunk.

It's me, what do you expect?

A disaster, darling!

Shots slipped down, music goes up - dream combo.

# I don't care!

# I love him!

# I don't care! #

True to form, Rebecca still manages to stay in control of things.

I've told everyone off, because they've all been a bit loud.

And there's a baby next door,

so I've told them repeatedly to stop screaming

and everyone seems ridiculously drunk.

I think it's the shots.

I'm a good actor! I play really sober when, in fact,

inside I'm, like, oh, I can feel the hangover already.

It's hitting me.

BEEP BEEP

Back in Hampshire, Rob's cajoled his brother Dave

to play for mates at the local.

He prepares for his performance

by getting the beers in,

and he's already on number three.

Are you ready for this gig tonight?

-No.

-Can Dave sing?

-Yeah, he can, actually.

-So what is the point of you being involved?

-I don't really know.

Sometimes I sit there and go, "Why am I here?"

-I thought you were my number one fan?

-No.

ROB LAUGHS

All Rob needs now is another beer.

Thankfully, the boys get to the boozer on foot,

and like a true pro, Rob has another beer.

Dave finally arrives - professional and sober.

If Rob is as drunk as we think he is, Dave will...save it.

-Dave will save it.

-Dave will save the day.

The music won't seem that bad, cos Dave will just carry the team.

Rob's turning into a one-man beer festival.

What could possibly go wrong, you know? It'll be fine.

Beer seven...

and ten minutes to the gig.

This is going to go well.

It seems Rob's incapable of tuning his own guitar,

so Dave steps in.

How much have you had?

Six beers, one pint.

-Has anyone ever told you that you're a

-BLEEP?

I'll be fine, I'll wake it up.

I'll wake it up.

# Now, will you take me

# Down to the marquee

# Where we...

# ..can fall in love

# You say that that's not good enough. #

Despite the booze-a-thon,

Rob doesn't pluck up.

What a lucky plucker.

CAR HORN BLAST

In Hartlepool, Rebecca and James

are getting ready for a big post-results party in Leeds.

You will drink loads. This is the issue.

I am really excited, but at the same time, I know it's going to end in...

-someone...

-Throwing up?

By "someone" I mean you.

Or...me and Laura just hugely celebrating.

Rebecca is off to pick up mates Laura, Rhys and Robyn,

then it's an 80-mile journey south for motorway-virgin Rebecca.

They were going to get preloaded,

but James has left the booze in the boot

and Rebecca is in no mood to pull over.

One job,

and he can't even do that!

Honestly!

Becca moves into the middle lane...

and stays there...

and stays there.

Why's everyone hating on me?

Stop overtaking me, I'm doing 70.

It's not like a personal dig at you.

Cos you're committing the cardinal sin of motorway driving -

hogging the middle lane!

The speed has not changed, has it, anyone?

No, guys, I'm just pointing out, it did say 30, didn't it,

but no-one's, like...!

Hitting the city, they look for the car park.

-We want to be there.

-Is that the big building?

-Yeah, yeah.

-The white thing?

-Yeah.

So we're just need to look for a way to get there.

Rebecca knows where it is, she just can't quite get there.

Will yous try and tell me as we get to the actual thing?

Missed it.

Shit, I should've went down there, shouldn't I?

Look ahead, Rebecca. Car park on the right.

-Just try and tell me as we get to the actual thing!

-We can see it!

Ooh, God!

Pulling into the multi-storey, they can finally grab their booze

and get the party started.

GLASS SHATTERS GIRL SHRIEKS

Drink it, don't wear it!

Laura, Laura, Laura.

They've booked a hotel for the night, so get the drinks in...

You knock drinks down people, you're terrible.

..and the make-up on.

James is loving it.

James being involved makes him feel good cos he feels like a girl.

Not that he wants to feel like a girl, but you know what I mean.

-James is female.

-James is one of the girls, so...

I was looking at him in my rear view mirror and I was thinking,

"One of his eyebrows is about half a centimetre thicker than

the other one, but it was...

See, you just keep on, work, like...

They hit the bars, but it seems Rebecca is still on duty.

They're going to go out, they're going to get drunk,

and I'm going to have to look after everyone.

Ah, let your hair down, Rebecca, you've earned it.

Shorts and shots downed, the booze starts to kick in.

Midday.

Time for tired party girls and boy to go home.

As each unit of alcohol takes roughly one hour to leave the system,

the film crew steps in to check she's left enough time.

Right, I'm going to just check...

-OK.

-..that you're not over the limit, OK?

Rebecca has to be under 35 micrograms

to be legally able to drive.

-Good, so you're clear to drive.

-Yep. Thank God.

See, I had a sensible night.

It's 24 hours later,

and the seven days of Rebecca's secret driving test are up.

She's had no idea she's been under surveillance by her mum and dad,

but they're not the ones making the call on

whether or not she gets her own car.

That decision is down to ex-traffic cop Judith.

For her to be awarded a car,

I've got to see her, er, knowledge improve.

I've got to see her vision, her planning improve,

and certainly her reactions improve,

so I'm very much on the fence at the moment.

A few minutes later and Rebecca arrives at home,

totally unaware of what's waiting for her.

-Whoa! Bloody Nora.

-Surprise!

You think that we've been watching you and your friends having

-a good time, but actually we've been spying on you.

-Oh, no!

My hand is actually, like, really shaking.

-You're fine.

-You know I don't like surprises.

And I've been brought in to have a look at your driving, er,

with a view to perhaps giving you your own second hand car,

or if I feel you would benefit from further lessons,

build on what you've already learnt,

then obviously that's going to be my decision.

It's time for mum Sonja and Judith to watch the final drive.

Dad David will also be watching separately.

Rebecca will be waiting outside.

OK, Sonja, so we're going to look at Rebecca's third journey.

How are you feeling about that?

Erm, quite excited, because Rebecca hasn't

drove on a motorway before and she hasn't been around a one-way system.

-Oh.

-So, yeah, er, I'm quite looking forward to it.

-OK.

All right, let's have a look, then.

Going to deliberately try not to think about what I could get

because as soon as you say it, you think,

"Yeah, but what if I don't?" So I'm just...

not even focusing on that right now.

I'm more interested to see what they say,

cos I'm always on at them, telling them I'm a good driver,

so, I'm quite interested to see what she has to say.

I want to just point out, it did say 30, didn't it, but no-one's, like...

She's very unsure about speed limits.

The speed has not changed, has it, anyone?

And it all boils down to her low vision.

She's not looking far enough ahead.

-Shit, I should have went down there, shouldn't I?

-Yeah.

Erm, she's not thinking about what's coming up.

Simple things like lane discipline,

-and if she was looking further ahead and planning...

-Mm-hm.

..she would deal with it more.

Oh, no.

Now Rebecca gets a chance to see how she really drives.

My little tootsies are killing me.

Tights, sweaty feet slipping off pedals...

-Yeah, I know.

-Bad.

Everyone on alert. I think we have about 29 miles.

-Yes.

-But we do...

-God, you're so bossy.

-I know.

-Right hand down here.

-Yeah.

-Left hand?

-Yeah, I know.

-Doing the royal...

-It's way too... I know.

'Oh, my god.'

See, especially, absolutely especially,

when you get a layer of water between the tarmac and the tyre,

and the car can go everywhere,

you need to settle down and think,

"Right, this steering wheel is all I've got."

That's where you went through the red light.

-Yeah.

-Going round the roundabout.

As ever, Rebecca's determined to fight her corner.

Because, obviously, I got lost at this point,

I was getting flustered, and I know I was getting so worked up.

That's a bad roundabout,

cos you can't see the lights till the last second.

You didn't see the traffic light

because you weren't concentrating and you weren't looking for them.

You know, as you're going around the roundabout bit,

sometimes you can't always see because you've got your panel...

That's what I'm...

You've got to raise your vision right the way up there

and out, and head turning all the time, looking to see.

I've never been anywhere, this is my first trip.

I was mortified, I didn't know what to do with myself.

-It is 60 on a single road, isn't it?

-Really?

My mam tells me off for this. I don't actually...

Are you asking yourself?

Yeah, you know when you just like to ask for the sake of asking?

I don't want anyone to answer me.

-Well, clearly nobody was going to.

-I know!

Why's everyone hating on me? Stop overtaking me, I'm doing 70!

-You deal with the motorway very well.

-Yeah.

You look quite confident, you sound quite confident.

But you are a hogger.

That journey wasn't too bad,

-but there weren't too many hazards for you to negotiate.

-Yeah.

And you had a rough idea of where to go.

Shit, I should've went down there, shouldn't I?

-You're a relatively new driver.

-Yeah.

-Sadly, you've picked up a lot of bad habits.

-Yeah.

-You're too busy in the car.

-Yeah.

The telemetry report shows that Rebecca hasn't sped,

so, now, armed with all the evidence for and against, it's decision time.

It's obviously now down to me to decide where we go with you.

And it's not easy for me to decide, because there are lots of times

when you are very confident behind the wheel...

-Yeah.

-..but other times you're scared to death.

-I know.

So I think on this particular occasion...

..I'm going to recommend that you have lessons.

-Why?

-Because I think you would benefit from being taught

-how to drive properly.

-Right.

But how is a lesson in something that...?

Right, admittedly, yeah, my hand was off a lot, and I accept the whole...

Right, I don't look in my rear view mirror enough at all,

but the thing is, they're things that you learn from driving, not things

that I'm going to learn from another person sitting down

and telling me to do it.

You need someone to teach you hazard perception.

Well, I still completely disagree, but...

I think I deserved it, but I'm not bothered.

Like I said, I'm going to university anyway,

so I'm not going to need a car in the middle of a city,

so it's just...

what it is, leave it at that.

Regrettably, her lack of overall awareness and road knowledge means

Rebecca will have to settle for driving lessons.

It's nearly the end of Rob's week of freedom.

The Hampshire massive, Rob, Kurt, Court, Arran,

plus birthday boy Spud, are off to Eastbourne

for some seaside celebrations.

LAUGHTER AND SHOUTING

That was my drink!

In car cans are go!

BOISTEROUS LAUGHTER AND CHAT

Normally it's a 90-mile, two-hour trip,

but with random Rob, who knows?

It's minutes before Rob decides he knows a better way.

We've literally gone in such a roundabout way.

No, it's because we were going to go...

No, we've gone a stupid way.

We were going to go down through Eastleigh past ASDA, but then...

Stupid way. Stupid way.

Just feel the acceleration!

Rob's gone one-handed and the boys have gone old-school.

-Bum!

-Bum!

MUSIC: "Jump Around" by House of Pain

-A-agh!

-Banging my head.

-Oh, yeah!

-I've got to answer.

And then Spud segues into a lovely ode to the speed camera.

-SPUD SINGS

-# Speed camera

# Speed camera

# Speed camera

# Speed camera. #

HE SINGS GIBBERISH

Oh, guys, guys, tunnel game.

Another motoring fave, when entering a tunnel,

take a deep breath and hold.

THEY GASP FOR BREATH

And Eastbourne beckons.

Sensibly, Rob and his mates are booked into a hotel, which means

the lads can get on the beers without worrying about the wheels.

All checked in, and Rob removes the last thing between him

and total freedom.

His clothes.

Take your top off.

And Kurt becomes a human cocktail shaker.

Put your thumb up when you want me to stop.

OK, OK? Now?

Open your mouth.

Switch.

LAUGHTER

It's only a matter of time before everyone bundles Kurt.

Then Eastbourne's answer to One Direction,

No Direction,

are ready.

Nearly.

Spud, how are you fitting into those jeans?

LAUGHTER

-Harsh, man.

-Bit rude, man.

-Yeah!

I'm just saying, though.

Even though the boys are tanked up,

the bond between the old schoolmates is still as strong.

Yeah, Kurt gets picked on usually

with the whole drinking games and everything.

It's usually me or him that takes the brunt of the jokes.

We all know each other's breaking point and we all know

when each other get annoyed to a point where we need to stop.

In 33 minutes, we have to bundle Spud for his birthday, so, no matter

where it is, he's getting bundled on midnight, so that's the rule.

-Everyone's on him.

-Thank you!

Drink, drink and more drink,

and then, bong!

It's bundle time!

Then it's into another club to amp up the night.

Morning.

And what happens in Eastbourne hopefully stays in Eastbourne.

I really don't know what happened. I was in Court's room.

I tried to sleep in the, er, I went in the cupboard.

I was in the cupboard for a bit.

Then I went from the cupboard back to my room,

and then I ended up on the window ledge, yeah.

It was actually surprisingly spacious.

I'm feeling pretty tender, to be honest.

I need to get some food in me to sober up properly.

Feeling pretty... pretty bad right now.

After beach and brekky, it's home time for the boys.

Even though Rob's left several hours between bottle and throttle,

the film crew double check he's fit to drive,

cos over 50% of all drunk driving arrests are made

the morning after the night before.

OK, stop.

-You are good to drive.

-Cheers.

-Below the limit, well done.

The boys are good to go,

so the strangely quiet car makes its way back to Hampshire.

The next day, it's the end of Rob's week with the car.

Judge Judith's on her way

to see how Random Rob's got on with his week behind the wheel.

I'd like to see in Journey Three

a bit more thought going into his driving, a bit more planning,

and I'd like to see him

really appreciate the fact that he's behind a lethal weapon.

He has got to take responsibility of that,

and he's got to know where he's going.

She's clearly never met Rob.

-Hello. Judith Roberts, you must be Julie.

-Oh, hello!

-Hi.

-Hello. Come in.

-Thank you.

When Rob rocks up, he's got no idea

who or what is waiting for him.

Well, it's an ex-cop, his mum and her mate Sue.

-Hello, mate.

-Hello.

-Hello.

-Hey.

-You think that you've been out with your mates all week?

-Yes.

We've been secretly spying on you.

You think it's all about you and your mates.

-In actual fact, it's all about you and your driving.

-Mm.

So, this is Judith.

-I've been brought in to have a look at your driving.

-Yeah.

Erm, the good bits and the bad bits.

If I feel you deserve a car then you get your own second hand car.

But if I think you need to go back to driving school

then you get a set of basic driving lessons.

How d'you feel about that?

-It's fine.

-It's fine?

-Yeah.

THEY LAUGH

The ladies gather round the lappy.

In the other room,

Rob tries to remember how he's been behind the wheel.

I think I did OK. I mean, like, I was... I was...

I don't think that I actually, erm, I drove over the speed limit much.

-He has a lazy boy attitude to the steering wheel.

-Right.

-One hand on the steering wheel, one hand on the gear lever.

-Mm.

This is the third drive now, and I'm seeing it more and more.

First two drives, he wasn't using his mirror anywhere near enough.

But I have seen him start to use the wing mirrors.

With the cat out of the bag,

Rob now gets to see how he really operates in the motor.

-Generally, you've got a very, very good driving position.

-Yeah.

You look the part.

You look confident, a little bit overconfident sometimes.

Tell me what you think is wrong about this picture.

-My eyes are down?

-No.

Your hands, when you approach a hazard,

seem to drop onto the gear lever and they stay there.

So you've got one hand on the steering wheel and one hand on the

gear lever, and I'm sure that's not how you've been taught.

Oh, I know what you mean. Yeah, happens a lot.

-Because it happens a lot.

-Yeah.

-OK?

This I actually thought you dealt with really well.

You saw the horses. You slowed right down. You've moved out.

I would have perhaps liked to have seen a signal there.

I was more focused on, like,

the horses themselves than my actual indication.

You dealt with that perfectly.

You slowed right down, you've taken the gear,

you've moved right away from them.

-Go left, go left, go left.

-This, actually, was in your favour.

-Yeah.

You were in the right hand lane,

they were trying to tell you to move across to the left...

-I had no time to brake, to be honest.

-..which would have been dangerous.

-So what you did was perfect.

-Yeah.

You went round the roundabout and then you took your left turn.

What's your gut feeling? How do you feel?

I didn't realise I had the habit of the left hand on the gear stick.

-That's something I need to change really.

-Yep.

I really wasn't aware that I did it that much.

-That steering wheel is your only contact with the wheels.

-Yeah.

And it's the wheels that is the only contact with the road.

-So anything happens, you need to be in proper control.

-I understand.

-Listen to what Judith's saying.

-I understand this advice.

I understand the advice and I'll take it on board.

In the car there's a telemetry box which records your speed,

and obviously the data that's been downloaded from that shows

that pretty much you were within the speed limits.

Erm, there was only one occasion when, er, on the motorway,

-you were doing 72.

-Excellent.

-Which is very slightly over.

-Well done.

But, overall, out of all the miles that you did,

-your speed was pretty spot on.

-OK.

It's now crunch time.

Will the flappy hand let Rob down?

I think on this occasion, having seen everything,

chatted to your mum, chatted to you...

..I think you would benefit from your own car.

Wahey!

THEY LAUGH

-Don't do that. Why would you do that? Give us a hug, Sue!

-Well done, mate.

-So, Mum, how do you feel about that?

-Oh, fantastic, fantastic.

THEY LAUGH

-Do you think he deserves his own car?

-Yes, I think so.

-Good.

I think so. But he needs to put his hand on the steering wheel.

I didn't realise I did that, to be honest.

-You'd be happy with him out...?

-Yes.

-On his own, late at night?

-Yes.

Result. Rob's free to go where he wants when he wants,

and he's chuffed to pieces.

Really happy.

Freedom! I get freedom finally, like, actually being able to go somewhere,

and I can actually go and explore and just be...

just be free to do whatever I want.

In the end, Rebecca decided not to take the free driving lessons,

but is loving her independent life at uni.

And Rob is about to become the proud owner of his very own motor.

I'm really happy with it. It's a good little runner, I think,

so, by far the cleanest thing I've ever driven.

Been waiting for a while for this now,

so, going to actually get out and get on the road.

Going to be a good time, I guess.

And, typically, as soon as he had the keys in his hand, he was off.

But goodness knows where!