0:00:02 > 0:00:04First of all, the car's in neutral, secured. And my eyes and ears?
0:00:04 > 0:00:07Are they in the middle of the head restraint?
0:00:07 > 0:00:09Er, they are now, yes.
0:00:11 > 0:00:12Every year in Britain,
0:00:12 > 0:00:16over a million and a half young people learn to drive.
0:00:16 > 0:00:20You don't have to get on the bus or a train.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23Around 50,000 of them have a disability.
0:00:23 > 0:00:25Going to the toilet, going to the toilet.
0:00:25 > 0:00:26They would think, honestly,
0:00:26 > 0:00:30what's he doing slowing down when he doesn't need to?
0:00:30 > 0:00:32But this isn't stopping them.
0:00:32 > 0:00:34There'll be people out there who go,
0:00:34 > 0:00:36"You can't do this because you're autistic."
0:00:36 > 0:00:39If they don't like it, they should stay off the road.
0:00:39 > 0:00:43But it does make things a little more challenging.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46Now would be a good time to twitch.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49Potentially, if I twitch, I could kill someone.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54- I feel like I want to stop now. - You want to stop?- Yeah.
0:00:54 > 0:00:58Passing their test will change their lives.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00I can drive to the music concert
0:01:00 > 0:01:04and I can see Boy George and Dale Winton.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08Visit every single Scottish wind turbine.
0:01:09 > 0:01:11From first lessons...
0:01:11 > 0:01:12Whee!
0:01:12 > 0:01:14- HORN BLASTS - Did they just beep at me?
0:01:14 > 0:01:16Stop!
0:01:16 > 0:01:17My God.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19- Oh, my God.- Sorry.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21That was very efficient.
0:01:21 > 0:01:23..to the day they take their test.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26- You have got your driving licence with you, haven't you?- I haven't.
0:01:26 > 0:01:28No! No!
0:01:28 > 0:01:30No! No!
0:01:30 > 0:01:33The road to success is no easy ride.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35I just need to pass.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37I hate walking.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48OK, seeing as you're doing your driving lesson,
0:01:48 > 0:01:49I brought you pictures
0:01:49 > 0:01:52of when you used to drive when you were smaller.
0:01:52 > 0:01:53- Look, that's you in Auntie's car. - Oh, yeah.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55- Do remember that one? - I remember that.
0:01:55 > 0:01:5828-year-old Cannadine wants to pass his test
0:01:58 > 0:02:00to increase his independence.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04Well, if I drive, if I pass and I could be independent, yes,
0:02:04 > 0:02:07because I don't actually want to...
0:02:09 > 0:02:12..to rely on other people. I could rely on myself, actually.
0:02:12 > 0:02:17He lives on his own, but his mum Rita comes over regularly.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20- Look at this one.- Oh, yeah. - With your pyjamas on.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23- Oh, yeah.- 'He's always loved cars.'
0:02:23 > 0:02:26- Do you remember, that car used to go backwards as well?- Yeah.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30And you used to do your three-point turn, you did a lovely job.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33Cannadine was diagnosed with autism at the age of eight.
0:02:33 > 0:02:38Now, he's determined to get his driving licence.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41I'm trying my very, very, very best to pass.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43- INTERVIEWER:- How would you feel if he passed his test?
0:02:43 > 0:02:46How would I feel? Nervous.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48Oh, my God.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51I suppose because, like my family said to me, how do you feel?
0:02:51 > 0:02:53Is this a wise thing for him to do?
0:02:53 > 0:02:55And my thing is...
0:02:56 > 0:02:59..I'm not going to take that away from him.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02I don't think it's for me to say you can't do this and you can't do that.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05Because I don't know what he will achieve.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08So I just wait and see.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11So, some of your family think he shouldn't be driving?
0:03:11 > 0:03:13Yeah. Mm-hm.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19- OK, Cannadine, how are you feeling? - I'm feeling good.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22Cannadine has been learning to drive for five years,
0:03:22 > 0:03:25but has been with instructor Eshan for the last year.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33How far should we keep from the cyclist?
0:03:33 > 0:03:34A bit more left?
0:03:34 > 0:03:36No, more right, or something?
0:03:36 > 0:03:41You know, just about that far, like that. Or something.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45I'm not like everyone else, I just think differently, that's all.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50Going to the toilet, going to the toilet.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54Cannadine's main challenge is keeping his concentration.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57What's the maximum speed you're allowed to drive here, Cannadine?
0:03:57 > 0:03:59- 20?- What speed are we driving now?
0:03:59 > 0:04:01Check it, check the speedometer.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04- 30.- Is that right? - No, I don't think it is.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06So just ease off the gas, yeah?
0:04:06 > 0:04:08CANNADINE CHUCKLES
0:04:08 > 0:04:11Yo, Cannadine, what's so funny?
0:04:11 > 0:04:13- I'll tell you in a minute. - Oh, all right, then.
0:04:13 > 0:04:17Sometimes, Eshan might as well keep saying, "Cannadine,
0:04:17 > 0:04:21"focus, focus, focus, Cannadine, you've got to focus on something."
0:04:21 > 0:04:23That's what Eshan said.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26Bit more looking. So we are aware what's happening behind.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29That's what Eshan says, "Cannadine, focus, focus, stop."
0:04:29 > 0:04:32"You didn't see any pedestrians. No, you've got to stop.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35"No, no, Cannadine, stop, stop, stop."
0:04:35 > 0:04:37- Idiot.- Who's that?
0:04:37 > 0:04:39That guy.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42- What about using your mirrors?- I am.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44I am, I am, I am.
0:04:44 > 0:04:48During his lessons, Cannadine is continually distracted.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51- What is Billy doing there?- Sorry?
0:04:51 > 0:04:54- What is Billy doing in my road? - Oh.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56How do you think you've done today?
0:04:56 > 0:04:59- I think I've done really well, actually.- Yeah?
0:04:59 > 0:05:02What is it that you think we need to work on?
0:05:02 > 0:05:04Focusing on the driving,
0:05:04 > 0:05:09looking at the mirrors and a lot of stuff, and it's all right, actually.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12All the mirrors and the focusing, you know.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16You know, the focusing and all that other stuff.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19Just name me one thing when I see you next time
0:05:19 > 0:05:22that you will work hard and improve on.
0:05:22 > 0:05:23I can't remember.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31- Get yourself nice and comfortable. - That's good. Thank you.
0:05:31 > 0:05:3526-year-old Chris is having his first driving lesson
0:05:35 > 0:05:37with instructor Doug.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41I know that's the accelerator, but I think that's the brake. Is it?
0:05:41 > 0:05:44- Oh, that's the clutch and that's the brake.- That's the brake.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46Doing some check...
0:05:46 > 0:05:48He started learning to drive three years ago,
0:05:48 > 0:05:51but ran out of money, so had to stop his lessons.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53Good, so everything's ready.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55So, if you're happy and it's clear and safe...
0:05:55 > 0:05:57- There we go.- Good.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03I want to keep an eye out if there are pedestrians around.
0:06:03 > 0:06:07- Good.- Want to make sure I stay right in the middle.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12I am a safe driver.
0:06:12 > 0:06:17A careful...observant driver.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19OK, this has got to be trouble.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21- I have to... - Can you see that the right is clear?
0:06:21 > 0:06:24I can see the right, but I can't see the left at all.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26That's the worst bit.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29I'm worried that I could be ending up underneath a truck
0:06:29 > 0:06:34if I accidentally turned in and probably crash.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38Your life could be taken or someone else's life could be taken.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42I don't want to get into an accident or get into trouble with the law.
0:06:42 > 0:06:47I mean, this is not something you just go to a theme park and ride
0:06:47 > 0:06:50a go-kart or bumper cars, for Christ's sake,
0:06:50 > 0:06:52it's nothing like that at all.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55I can see it's clear on my side.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58Chris has Asperger's syndrome.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01There are so many blind spots, like these junctions here.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04And he tends to worry about the unexpected.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06The moment you're on the road
0:07:06 > 0:07:09is the moment you will face unpredictability.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11When you make one turn,
0:07:11 > 0:07:14you could end up in traffic because of roadworks.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16You could end up in a flood,
0:07:16 > 0:07:20just literally so deep, the front of your car will be dipping in.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24Chris is so concerned about safety...
0:07:24 > 0:07:26Probably just go quickly into one.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29..he's reluctant to get into second gear.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32Ooh! I'm going to stay in first gear cos I can see a cyclist.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35OK, potentially, but we can maybe get ourselves into second
0:07:35 > 0:07:38cos you can see her, so whether you're in first or second gear,
0:07:38 > 0:07:42you know she's there and you're not going to run her over.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45What do you think we might do regarding these cyclists?
0:07:45 > 0:07:48Well, I just keep away - about three car spaces?
0:07:48 > 0:07:51OK, would you like to get beyond the cyclists?
0:07:51 > 0:07:54Do you think we can go faster than the cyclists?
0:07:54 > 0:07:56Not while I can see parked cars on the other side.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59I could overtake, but I'm not overtaking like this.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03It's actually a...life or death
0:08:03 > 0:08:05if you don't...
0:08:05 > 0:08:07if you don't drive right.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09So, how did you feel that went?
0:08:09 > 0:08:12I thought that went great.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15- Good.- I was still a bit cautious with junctions, though.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17Yes, that's fine. It showed.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20I mean, yeah, we were driving like a learner.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22But is driving like a learner a problem at this point?
0:08:22 > 0:08:24No. One, because I'm relearning.
0:08:24 > 0:08:28- And two, I'm just making sure I drive safely.- Absolutely right.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34There's an important reason for Chris to pass his driving test.
0:08:39 > 0:08:40Several times a week,
0:08:40 > 0:08:44Chris makes an 11-mile trip to meet up with his girlfriend.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47As you see, I have to catch buses.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49There's only two within the hour.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52Even just one on Sundays.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56For me to see Michelle is even difficult on a Sunday.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02I have to study bus timetables, routes, all of it.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08I still find a way to reach her.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11- Hello.- Hiya.- Happy to see you again.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14Chris met Michelle two years ago at college.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17She also has a learning disability.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20- Are you both in love?- Yes.
0:09:20 > 0:09:21Indeed.
0:09:21 > 0:09:26- Yes, we still keep holding tight. - We are.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29Michelle's fed up of relying on public transport.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32All we've been doing for the last couple of months now, Chris, is
0:09:32 > 0:09:33bussing here and bussing there.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36And buses actually drive me insane.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38When I pass my test,
0:09:38 > 0:09:42we could go anywhere without worrying about getting home by bus.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46If Christopher passes it, I'll be so chuffed, I'll be so over the moon.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49If you say, "Where do you fancy going, Michelle?"
0:09:49 > 0:09:50I'll just say here and there.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53And you can pick me up whenever you like from my house
0:09:53 > 0:09:57and then take me out places where we always dreamed of.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00Just got to press on and I will.
0:10:00 > 0:10:01HE GROANS
0:10:01 > 0:10:03Buses are also an issue
0:10:03 > 0:10:06for Cannadine, but for a different reason.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08See? London Suburban Buses.
0:10:10 > 0:10:11I hate them.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14These are all the ones that I don't like.
0:10:14 > 0:10:18Because of the moving, and that the sound is disgusting.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21- What, does it hurt your ears? - Yeah, it does.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23- Oh, OK.- It hurts my ears.- OK.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27- ENGINE ROARS - Hear that sound?
0:10:27 > 0:10:29Hear it?
0:10:29 > 0:10:30What's wrong with it?
0:10:32 > 0:10:33Can't you hear it?
0:10:35 > 0:10:39It goes...rrr-rrr! Like a baby mouse or whatever.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43It's like a part-mouse part-baby, it's disgusting.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46Hear it?
0:10:47 > 0:10:49I wish they'd all get destroyed.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53And I'll laugh my head off.
0:10:56 > 0:11:01Rita has decided to see for herself how he's getting on.
0:11:01 > 0:11:02Welcome, Rita.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04- Thank you.- Nice to see you.- Yeah.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14First time you're driving your mum today, Cannadine.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16- Yeah.- Lovely.- Yeah.- Yeah?
0:11:16 > 0:11:18It is, isn't it?
0:11:19 > 0:11:21Oh, my God.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25- Right?- Yeah.- You've got to be very aware what's happening behind.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27And if they do that, what shall we do?
0:11:27 > 0:11:29Keep going fast.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31Keep checking the mirrors, yeah?
0:11:34 > 0:11:35Eshan's plan for the lesson
0:11:35 > 0:11:39is to work on improving Cannadine's concentration.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42- HE SIGHS - This is really doing my head in.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44- What's that?- Oh, it's a long story.
0:11:44 > 0:11:45OK.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51# Da-da-da, da-da, da-da-da
0:11:51 > 0:11:53# Da-da-da. #
0:11:55 > 0:11:58Eshan has been teaching Cannadine how to spot hazards.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01What were you looking for there, Cannadine?
0:12:01 > 0:12:04- I was looking for some people there. - To do what?
0:12:04 > 0:12:06Just in case they run over or something.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08- That was good, wasn't it, Cannadine? - Yeah.- I really like that.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10Yeah.
0:12:10 > 0:12:11Good awareness, you know?
0:12:11 > 0:12:14Hazard anticipation.
0:12:16 > 0:12:18Astaghfirullah!
0:12:18 > 0:12:22But then a pedestrian runs across the road and Cannadine accelerates.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25Just be careful here, be careful of the speed.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28The speed was a bit too fast there. Why did you accelerate like that?
0:12:28 > 0:12:29- I don't know. - Keep to the left, please.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31- There was no need at all, yeah?- OK.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34- Especially with that person. - Yeah.- All right?
0:12:34 > 0:12:38That last person who crossed the road suddenly, mmm? Yeah?
0:12:38 > 0:12:41- Dangerous in front of us.- Mm-hmm.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44Suddenly we decided to accelerate.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47- Why?- I just forgot, you know.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49- Forgot what?- Forgot to stop.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52- You know...- You need to stop. - Yeah.- Didn't need to accelerate.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54Yeah, all right. Yeah.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57- Agree?- I quite agree with that, yeah.- Yeah?
0:12:57 > 0:13:00- Yeah.- A bit more focusing on the driving, OK?
0:13:00 > 0:13:04There's a reason why Cannadine is distracted.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07Memories of being bullied at primary school
0:13:07 > 0:13:09often surface when he's driving.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13- There's a couple of people that I didn't like.- OK.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15He used to keep hitting me.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18- Did he?- Throwing pencil cases at me. - He's talking about years ago.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22- Not now? OK, OK.- You've got to focus on the good, not the bad.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25- Yeah?- Yeah, exactly, that's the way you'll move forward.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28- Yeah.- Because in the past some horrible people
0:13:28 > 0:13:31- do some horrible things to you. - Yeah.- That's gone, finished.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33- Like ginger pubes.- Ah, ah!
0:13:33 > 0:13:34- ESHAN LAUGHS - That's not nice.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37- I'm glad it's not nice. - I know, but it's not nice.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40- You don't say that.- Yeah.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42"Ginger pubes"!
0:13:42 > 0:13:45One of them just hit me, punched me up the back,
0:13:45 > 0:13:50kicked me, pushed me, hit me in the head and then they said,
0:13:50 > 0:13:52"Call me that one more time and I'll smack you in the face."
0:13:54 > 0:13:58He continues to have problems focusing on the drive.
0:13:59 > 0:14:03Yeah, so that's a massive problem. I mean...
0:14:03 > 0:14:04INTERVIEWER: Will he ever overcome it?
0:14:04 > 0:14:05Well, erm...
0:14:07 > 0:14:09I am not 100% sure.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16I've been living here for three years now.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19I decided to live independently.
0:14:19 > 0:14:23Chris lives on his own in a studio flat in Bournemouth.
0:14:23 > 0:14:262007...
0:14:26 > 0:14:28..is when my mum died.
0:14:28 > 0:14:29That was a sudden shock.
0:14:31 > 0:14:32No-one expected that.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37And then there's Dad,
0:14:37 > 0:14:38who died recently.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42So they're both gone.
0:14:42 > 0:14:47When they died, it just felt like someone grabbed
0:14:47 > 0:14:50a hammer and smashed my life like a window.
0:14:52 > 0:14:58I just want my independence so I can make my mum and dad proud and...
0:15:00 > 0:15:04..show everyone that, without bragging about it, that I can do it.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10Chris has been learning for three months now
0:15:10 > 0:15:14but he's still very worried about potential hazards on the road.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16I can see traffic lights on red.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19- Not the nearest one cos that's still green.- OK.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22So when are we going to have to deal with them?
0:15:22 > 0:15:25Erm... I would say just slow down, be ready.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27But when were you going to do that?
0:15:27 > 0:15:30- When you get closer to them or...? - When we get close enough.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34Yeah. So, yeah, what we're looking at is when you see the hazard or
0:15:34 > 0:15:35when you see the potential hazard,
0:15:35 > 0:15:39we're thinking about the things we might potentially have to do
0:15:39 > 0:15:41when we get to it, rather than seeing a potential hazard
0:15:41 > 0:15:43and almost overreacting.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50As well as driving, Doug has been helping Chris with his theory test.
0:15:50 > 0:15:55And at the end of today's lesson, Doug drops him at the test centre.
0:15:55 > 0:15:56- Here we are. - This is it, the moment.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58The time is now. So, good luck.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00Thank you so much and I'll let you know when I come out.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04- Give me a call, let me know later. - Chris's sister's there for support.
0:16:04 > 0:16:05Whatever happens here, if I don't pass,
0:16:05 > 0:16:08- I'll be ready for the next one straightaway.- Yeah, exactly.
0:16:08 > 0:16:09Now I know I've got the practice.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11Exactly, just don't be disappointed.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14It's another step for you to learn from this
0:16:14 > 0:16:17- and put it all into practice. - After you.- Thank you.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29Oh, my God.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32Moment of truth, shall we see how you did?
0:16:32 > 0:16:33Yeah.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37- You scored 44.- Yeah, I scored 44.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39Oh, my God.
0:16:39 > 0:16:40- You've passed.- No, no.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44Oh, no. Read it again. I swear... That's...
0:16:44 > 0:16:45I swear, this cannot be it.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48- I passed! - HE LAUGHS
0:16:48 > 0:16:50- Yes!- You did it, well done.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56Yes, I passed! Yeah!
0:16:57 > 0:16:58That's fantastic.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00Well done. High five.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04I can't even... I can't even keep hold of it!
0:17:04 > 0:17:06Well done, I'm so proud of you.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08Michelle...
0:17:09 > 0:17:10..I passed.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13Oh!
0:17:13 > 0:17:15Oh, well done, Chris.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17I'm so proud of you, Chris.
0:17:18 > 0:17:22- I can't thank you enough, either. - I'm so proud. Well done.- Look.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24- Sorry! - SHE LAUGHS
0:17:24 > 0:17:28- She's so happy.- I'm so happy for you, Chris. I knew you could do it.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31Imagine what you're going to be like when he actually passes
0:17:31 > 0:17:34- his driving test. - Yeah, I'll be very happy, Chris.
0:17:34 > 0:17:35You'll be like, "Christopher,
0:17:35 > 0:17:39"could you please pick me up from so-and-so, please?"
0:17:39 > 0:17:40"Be right there."
0:17:43 > 0:17:45Over the next few months,
0:17:45 > 0:17:49our learner drivers work hard to improve their driving skills.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57How do we feel the position's going?
0:17:57 > 0:17:59Erm... Wrong.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01HE LAUGHS
0:18:01 > 0:18:03Stop.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06Chris is becoming a far more confident driver and stops
0:18:06 > 0:18:08overreacting to danger...
0:18:08 > 0:18:10- Oh, I can see a hazard. - There we go. Good.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14Yeah, in other words, I can point out the possible hazards
0:18:14 > 0:18:15but not actual hazards.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18..while Cannadine is starting to focus more
0:18:18 > 0:18:21and learning to control his speed.
0:18:21 > 0:18:25See how you, normally, how you use the gas lightly, look at that.
0:18:25 > 0:18:26Yeah?
0:18:29 > 0:18:31When he first started, to what he's doing now,
0:18:31 > 0:18:34it's a massive improvement, but it took a long time.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39The use of the controls - absolutely superb.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44The problem with him is, one week
0:18:44 > 0:18:46it's not too bad but the next week he could go back.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50It all depends on his concentration
0:18:50 > 0:18:53and that's where we're having problems.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58Today Chris is taking his mock driving test.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00OK, so when you're ready you can drive away.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02- HE COUGHS - Sorry about the coughing.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04That's quite all right. It's not a fault.
0:19:04 > 0:19:09If he can prove to Doug that he's overcome his extreme cautiousness,
0:19:09 > 0:19:12then Doug will let him book the real thing.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14Drive past and stop.
0:19:14 > 0:19:15Reverse back into the side road,
0:19:15 > 0:19:18keeping yourself reasonably close to your left-hand kerb.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20When you're ready.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26OK, that'll do. That's absolutely fine.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31OK, when we get to the traffic lights,
0:19:31 > 0:19:33it'll be the right turn that we want.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35OK, right turn.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45Down the bottom of the hill here, we want to go ahead
0:19:45 > 0:19:47- at the roundabout, taking the second exit.- OK.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53HORN BLARES
0:19:59 > 0:20:01- We finish where we started.- OK.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04There were some bits and pieces we'll pick up on, though.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06You may remember when we came down to the big roundabout
0:20:06 > 0:20:07at the bottom of the hill.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10As you came out, that was quite close to that car that was
0:20:10 > 0:20:12coming from the right-hand side. What was the good thing,
0:20:12 > 0:20:14what saved you was once you got going, you got going.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16Yeah, you got out there and you put your foot down,
0:20:16 > 0:20:19cos had we been a bit sort of slow and sluggish as we had
0:20:19 > 0:20:21come out there and he'd been braking because of us as
0:20:21 > 0:20:24we came round and that would then have fallen under the serious fault.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26- OK.- So, drumroll. Do you think you've passed
0:20:26 > 0:20:27or do you think you've failed?
0:20:27 > 0:20:30- It feels so close to passing. - Good.- Yeah. So close.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34Yeah. That would have been a pass. So, yeah, so well done.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39Well, for the first lesson I'd ever taken, I was overcautious,
0:20:39 > 0:20:42then I was trying to be not as cautious as I was,
0:20:42 > 0:20:46but that meant I was too much less cautious.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48- INTERVIEWER:- Were you scared on the roundabout?
0:20:48 > 0:20:52I'm not scared. Can't scare me - I'm a driving instructor!
0:20:52 > 0:20:55- Nice to see you. - It's nice to see you, too.- Right.
0:20:58 > 0:21:02- No stress today?- Not really. - Nothing at all?- No.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05- So you can focus on the drive today, can't you?- Yeah.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07- Yeah. Nobody upset you.- No.
0:21:07 > 0:21:11Cannadine's driving has been improving so much
0:21:11 > 0:21:14that today Eshan wants to set him a target
0:21:14 > 0:21:19and see if he can go a whole lesson without being distracted.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23Cannadine, we will now turn the car round to face the opposite way.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25- All right, all right. - Yeah?- Yeah.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27SENSOR BEEPS
0:21:29 > 0:21:33- Look behind again before you move, yeah? See that person?- Yeah.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36Wait for him to go. It's got to be clear.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39- Now, before you move, where should we look?- That way and this way.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41- That's it.- Yes.- OK?- Yeah.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47We're just going to pull up on the right here.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51Successful three-point turn completed, they pull over.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54But it's outside Cannadine's old school.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57- I just want to get out of here. - Where?- Here.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00- You don't like the school? - No, I don't like the school but...
0:22:00 > 0:22:03- Is that upsetting you because we are near the school?- Yes.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06- Are you remembering what happened?- Yes.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08OK, let's forget all about that, focus on the drive.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10Move off when ready.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14It's broken his concentration.
0:22:20 > 0:22:24- I couldn't see you look left at all there.- Yeah.- Why didn't you look?
0:22:24 > 0:22:27- I just forgot. - You forgot to look.- Yeah.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29So how can we drive safely like that?
0:22:29 > 0:22:31- I don't know.- Huh? - I don't know, really.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33Cos you said to me you're going to make an effort.
0:22:33 > 0:22:37I am trying my best to make an effort, Eshan.
0:22:37 > 0:22:38- OK.- Yeah.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41'Cannadine continues to struggle.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43'He always comes up with issues,
0:22:43 > 0:22:46'most of the time during the school time when he had a problem,
0:22:46 > 0:22:49'then he loses concentration completely.'
0:22:49 > 0:22:52There will be a point where he either tries
0:22:52 > 0:22:55a bit harder to show me that he is actually improving,
0:22:55 > 0:22:58otherwise we'll just have to stop there.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04It's the day of Chris's driving test
0:23:04 > 0:23:07and they're on their way to the test centre.
0:23:07 > 0:23:12Learning how to drive and getting a car is so important to me because
0:23:12 > 0:23:15I will have that freedom of choice,
0:23:15 > 0:23:18no worries about trains, no worries about taxis,
0:23:18 > 0:23:19no worries about buses.
0:23:19 > 0:23:23So many opportunities I will get once I pass this.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27But Chris isn't just doing it for himself -
0:23:27 > 0:23:29he's thinking of his parents.
0:23:29 > 0:23:35They would be very proud that I'm so close to driving independently.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39A proper free man.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44Over the last six months,
0:23:44 > 0:23:48Chris has tried to overcome his fear of the unpredictable...
0:23:48 > 0:23:51- Do you think we can go faster than the cyclists?- I could overtake.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53..and become a confident driver.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56So, do we need to slow down before we get to this crossing?
0:23:56 > 0:23:58- No, but be ready to. - But be ready to.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01But maybe a bit too confident.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03HORN BLARES
0:24:03 > 0:24:08This driving test, this will also be...to tell everyone that...
0:24:10 > 0:24:13..I accomplished something.
0:24:13 > 0:24:15If I can accomplish this...
0:24:16 > 0:24:19..then I can accomplish other things, too.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22Chris's test is over
0:24:22 > 0:24:25and Michelle is desperate to know if he's passed.
0:24:25 > 0:24:30'I really need to know, Chris, cos I'm actually getting anxious.'
0:24:30 > 0:24:32But he wants to tell her in person.
0:24:36 > 0:24:40- Hello. You all right?- Yes.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42I'll show you.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50- You've actually done it?- I passed.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54Oh, well done, Chris.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58- I'm so pleased.- Thank you.
0:24:58 > 0:24:59Oh, my gosh.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04I'm so proud of you, Chris. Well done.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06Thank you so much.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11- Where do you want him to take you? - Anywhere. Anywhere.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14Anywhere like Timbuktu, really.
0:25:14 > 0:25:16INTERCOM RINGS
0:25:17 > 0:25:19After five years
0:25:19 > 0:25:21and over 100 lessons,
0:25:21 > 0:25:24it's time for Cannadine and his mum to make a difficult decision.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27- All right, thank you. And you? - Yeah, not bad.
0:25:27 > 0:25:31- So how is he getting on with driving?- Yeah, so...
0:25:31 > 0:25:34- driving is not for everyone.- No.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37- When Cannadine is driving...- Yeah. - ..he's focusing...- Yeah.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39..but not enough.
0:25:39 > 0:25:43- In other words, his driving is not safe.- Right.
0:25:43 > 0:25:49I know you enjoy the actual experience, yeah?
0:25:49 > 0:25:51So...
0:25:51 > 0:25:55do you still want to have driving lessons?
0:25:55 > 0:25:58- I still want to have driving lessons, yes. I want to.- Right.
0:25:58 > 0:26:02- And I don't want to give up on it. - Right, OK.
0:26:02 > 0:26:04- And I don't actually want to quit anyway.- Mm-hm.
0:26:04 > 0:26:08I still want to keep on doing it and doing it and doing it and doing it.
0:26:08 > 0:26:10And there is no point, you know,
0:26:10 > 0:26:12anyone taking the test if they're not ready.
0:26:12 > 0:26:14I completely understand that.
0:26:14 > 0:26:19But I am quite happy for him to still have lessons.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22He is enjoying the whole experience
0:26:22 > 0:26:25and, to me, that means more than him passing or not passing,
0:26:25 > 0:26:27enjoying the experience. Yeah?
0:26:27 > 0:26:31INTERVIEWER: Do you think one day Cannadine can take a test?
0:26:31 > 0:26:34- Who knows? Who knows? - This is it.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37- Never say never. - Never. I wouldn't say never.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40I never give up on driving.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42- INTERVIEWER:- Why?
0:26:42 > 0:26:44Because I still want to drive. That's why.
0:26:47 > 0:26:48- Are you ready?- Nope.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52I can't believe I'm about to do this.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54I'm feeling really nervous.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57A few weeks later,
0:26:57 > 0:27:00Chris takes Michelle out for the first time in his new car.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03- Off we go.- Off we go.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06- Jesus.- She didn't look.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10You're going left.
0:27:10 > 0:27:14'Of course there will always be people who say you can't do things.'
0:27:14 > 0:27:16There'll be people out there who go, like,
0:27:16 > 0:27:19"Oh, you can do this because you're autistic."
0:27:21 > 0:27:24There's always going to be people like that.
0:27:24 > 0:27:26They don't even...
0:27:26 > 0:27:29They're probably the people that don't even try, themselves.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31But I did.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39Now I've got my independence,
0:27:39 > 0:27:43there's no limits to where we can go to.
0:27:43 > 0:27:47I wouldn't have believed how huge this achievement could be.
0:27:47 > 0:27:49All the hard work has paid off.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52- INTERVIEWER:- How would your parents feel now?
0:27:52 > 0:27:54- They would be proud.- Absolutely.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56- They would be proud.- Like I am.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59I still wish they were here though,
0:27:59 > 0:28:03so I could see they're actually proud, but all I can do is feel it.
0:28:03 > 0:28:07I feel they're proud, and that's all I need to know.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11And I've just got to make them proud
0:28:11 > 0:28:14by staying as a careful, decent driver.
0:28:34 > 0:28:38That car on the edge is causing a temporary obstruction.
0:28:38 > 0:28:41..Rannoch keeps a careful eye on the road...
0:28:41 > 0:28:43Yes.
0:28:43 > 0:28:44Oh, yeah. A motorcyclist.
0:28:44 > 0:28:47There's somebody waiting for a bus.
0:28:47 > 0:28:49'Although I'm autistic, I'm very safe.'
0:28:49 > 0:28:50HE TUTS
0:28:50 > 0:28:55I haven't fallen into any ditch or anything like that so far.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58..and Helen struggles to keep her hands on the wheel.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01I do twitch but I try not to twitch...
0:29:02 > 0:29:04..cos I could kill someone.
0:29:04 > 0:29:08Now would be a good time if you were going to have to twitch, to twitch.