0:00:02 > 0:00:05This car is in neutral, it's secured and what about my eyes and ears -
0:00:05 > 0:00:07are they in the middle of the head restraint?
0:00:07 > 0:00:08There are now, yes.
0:00:11 > 0:00:12Every year in Britain,
0:00:12 > 0:00:16over 1,500,000 young people learn to drive.
0:00:16 > 0:00:20You don't have to get on a bus or a train.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23Around 50,000 of them have a disability.
0:00:23 > 0:00:25To the toilet, going to the toilet...
0:00:25 > 0:00:26They would think, honestly,
0:00:26 > 0:00:29what's he doing slowing down when he doesn't need to?
0:00:29 > 0:00:32But this isn't stopping them.
0:00:32 > 0:00:34There will be people out there who go like,
0:00:34 > 0:00:36"Oh, 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, then!
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 > 0:00:52I feel like I want to stop now.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55- You want to stop?- Yeah.
0:00:55 > 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 > 0:01:10From first lessons...
0:01:10 > 0:01:12Wheeeee!
0:01:12 > 0:01:15- HORN HONKS - Did he just beep at me?
0:01:15 > 0:01:17- Stop!- Oh, my 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 > 0:01:26You have got your driving licence with you, haven't you?
0:01:26 > 0:01:28- I haven't.- No, 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!
0:01:47 > 0:01:51This is a ladder, which is so...
0:01:51 > 0:01:56which is so rare, it's not found in that many houses.
0:01:56 > 0:01:57What's at the top?
0:01:57 > 0:02:00Um, wait and see.
0:02:00 > 0:02:0521-year-old horticultural student Rannoch lives with his parents.
0:02:06 > 0:02:07My bedroom!
0:02:09 > 0:02:10So what's that, Rannoch?
0:02:10 > 0:02:13It's a practical driving test certificate.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18After two years and over 280 hours of lessons,
0:02:18 > 0:02:21Rannoch recently passed his driving test.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24I feel so amazed with myself.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26I'm so impressed.
0:02:26 > 0:02:31I've now passed first time, even though my mum and dad hadn't.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36When Rannoch was 11, he was diagnosed with autism,
0:02:36 > 0:02:39but he's tried not to let it hold him back in life.
0:02:39 > 0:02:44Just because I'm autistic and have difficulty talking and listening,
0:02:44 > 0:02:47it doesn't mean I'm not that popular.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49I'm really popular!
0:02:49 > 0:02:55Very popular indeed because of my humour and how friendly I am
0:02:55 > 0:02:58and how sociable I am.
0:02:58 > 0:02:59He may have passed his test,
0:02:59 > 0:03:01but he's still got some way to go
0:03:01 > 0:03:04to achieve his ambition of driving alone.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06That I've never done before, no.
0:03:06 > 0:03:12He's going to have some more lessons doing Pass Plus before he sets off
0:03:12 > 0:03:13on the road on his own.
0:03:13 > 0:03:18His parents want him to gain an additional qualification.
0:03:18 > 0:03:23On particular things like motorway driving, urban driving,
0:03:23 > 0:03:27rural roads, night driving...
0:03:27 > 0:03:30Yep, still got a lot to do. Yep.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32- Yes!- Rannoch...
0:03:32 > 0:03:34Good luck!
0:03:34 > 0:03:36- Bye.- Try not to prang it.
0:03:36 > 0:03:38Don't worry, I won't.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41The Pass Plus scheme is a series of six modules
0:03:41 > 0:03:43decided to reduce accidents for new drivers.
0:03:43 > 0:03:48Today, Rannoch is taking the first module, which is urban driving,
0:03:48 > 0:03:50with instructor John.
0:03:50 > 0:03:55He's driving his dad's car - the first time without dual controls.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57- Nervous?- Yes.- Yup.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00I'm sure he's going to turn left
0:04:00 > 0:04:02and go straight through those railings down the slope!
0:04:06 > 0:04:10OK, so... First of all, this car is in neutral, it's secure,
0:04:10 > 0:04:11my knees are slightly bent.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14I'll just adjust this forward a bit.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16And also adjust this forward a bit.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19My eyes and ears are in the middle of the head restraints,
0:04:19 > 0:04:20- what a good thing.- Mm-hm.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24I've got slight bend in my arms for the steering wheel.
0:04:24 > 0:04:28- All looks fine.- The seat belt's flat against me.
0:04:28 > 0:04:29What about yours?
0:04:29 > 0:04:32- Well spotted. - It's flat against you?
0:04:32 > 0:04:34- All done.- Very good.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40'Although I'm autistic, I'm very safe'
0:04:40 > 0:04:45and I haven't had a single accident,
0:04:45 > 0:04:47I haven't crashed into...
0:04:47 > 0:04:49anybody else's car
0:04:49 > 0:04:53or fallen into any ditch or anything like that so far.
0:04:55 > 0:04:59So I'm more or less a very safe driver indeed.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02Keep it nice and slow for...
0:05:02 > 0:05:03- The road conditions.- Yeah.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07Today's Pass Plus lesson is measuring Rannoch's awareness
0:05:07 > 0:05:10of hazards in the city.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13- OK.- What's on your right at the moment?
0:05:13 > 0:05:16Oh, yeah - a motorcyclist, about to overtake.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18As long as you're aware of him.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20- Was he holding back?- Yeah, he was.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23OK, so what kind of hazards might you come across
0:05:23 > 0:05:27- down on the road here?- Bus stop. There's somebody waiting for a bus.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29That car's just gone that way.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33Well, I'm autistic, I've got additional needs,
0:05:33 > 0:05:36so it can be hard for me to focus sometimes.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39To keep his mind on the road,
0:05:39 > 0:05:43John has taught Rannoch to say aloud any potential hazard he sees.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46The light's been green for some time
0:05:46 > 0:05:48and there's somebody waiting at the bus stop opposite.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51'If I didn't talk, then...
0:05:51 > 0:05:54'then my mind would just go...'
0:05:54 > 0:05:56up in the clouds,
0:05:56 > 0:05:59it would... I'd end up daydreaming.
0:05:59 > 0:06:03That car, on the edge, is causing a temporary obstruction.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06Yes.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09Ooh. Yeah, yeah, yeah...
0:06:09 > 0:06:10There we go.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12OK.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15So that's the end of module one.
0:06:15 > 0:06:16- Yeah?- Four things...
0:06:16 > 0:06:21- Yeah.- ..we're assessing you on - observation, judgment and awareness,
0:06:21 > 0:06:24the consideration for vulnerable road users.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28So that's two exceeded, two achieved.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30So, well done. OK?
0:06:30 > 0:06:34Rannoch has to complete another five modules of Pass Plus
0:06:34 > 0:06:38before his parents will allow him to drive on his own.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40Soon, you'll be able to take your mum and dad out.
0:06:40 > 0:06:46Yes. If they have any alcohol and therefore can't drive,
0:06:46 > 0:06:50then I'd remain sober and drive the family instead.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53All right, love. Let's go get the cushion.
0:06:56 > 0:07:0020-year-old Helen has been learning to drive with instructor Sarah
0:07:00 > 0:07:02for three months.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04I have cushions because I'm small
0:07:04 > 0:07:07and small people need cushions and little steps!
0:07:07 > 0:07:10That's so I can actually see over the steering wheel.
0:07:10 > 0:07:12Get yourself sorted, then.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14Is your seat all OK?
0:07:14 > 0:07:17Do I look OK? Yeah, you look fine.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21Helen's main challenge whilst driving...
0:07:21 > 0:07:23- Am I too close to the kerb? - No, you're fine.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26..is keeping both hands on the wheel.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31I think it's always been connected to my autism.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35'I have, like, little twitches and little tics.'
0:07:35 > 0:07:38I get excited, I twitch.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40If I'm anxious, I twitch.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42If I'm upset, I twitch.
0:07:42 > 0:07:43I just twitch!
0:07:46 > 0:07:50Now, you're just swerving out to the middle of the road a little bit.
0:07:50 > 0:07:51- Yeah.- That's it, good.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56How have your tics been today?
0:07:57 > 0:07:59- All over the place. - All over the place?
0:07:59 > 0:08:01- All right. - SHE MOANS QUIETLY
0:08:01 > 0:08:04I do twitch, but I try not to twitch.
0:08:05 > 0:08:07Because I could kill someone!
0:08:09 > 0:08:13Helen has to limit the amount of times she tics when driving.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16Helen will need to keep her tics to an absolute minimum
0:08:16 > 0:08:20and that's with one hand still needing to be on the wheel
0:08:20 > 0:08:22and a moderate degree of attention.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24Three tics is a maximum.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29If Helen took both hands off the wheel during a test,
0:08:29 > 0:08:31she would fail instantly.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34But not if the car is stationary.
0:08:34 > 0:08:35Now would be a good time,
0:08:35 > 0:08:38if you were going to have to twitch, to twitch.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42I mean, obviously, I'm not encouraging you to do it.
0:08:42 > 0:08:43But...
0:08:43 > 0:08:46- You need to be able to keep a good eye on the...- Yeah.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48..the lights as well.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50SHE GROANS
0:08:50 > 0:08:53That's it. Wonderful.
0:08:54 > 0:08:58I think Helen needs to develop a way of controlling them
0:08:58 > 0:09:01when she's driving, which obviously she needs to do,
0:09:01 > 0:09:04otherwise she's not going to get through her test,
0:09:04 > 0:09:06- we wouldn't be able to present her for test.- No.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08SHE SIGHS
0:09:10 > 0:09:12There you go, look.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16So that's me...
0:09:17 > 0:09:20And that's my sister and that was my incubator.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24Helen was born with disadvantaged twin syndrome.
0:09:24 > 0:09:28Her sister was born healthy and she was sickly and very underweight.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31That's how small and fragile I was.
0:09:31 > 0:09:32Helen struggled at school
0:09:32 > 0:09:35and her twitching meant she was badly teased.
0:09:35 > 0:09:36They'd just put me down,
0:09:36 > 0:09:39saying "You'll never be able to do anything, you're too..."
0:09:40 > 0:09:44Well, in their words, spastic, "You're too weird, you're just...
0:09:46 > 0:09:49"You won't be able to do anything because you're too autistic."
0:09:51 > 0:09:55Passing her theory test a few years ago gave her a huge boost.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58Just thinking about it makes me smile!
0:09:58 > 0:10:01I think it's just proving to myself, and to, like,
0:10:01 > 0:10:04the people who have made fun of me and said,
0:10:04 > 0:10:07"Oh, she can't do that. Will she be able to drive?
0:10:07 > 0:10:11"Will she... Does she need help?" And it's like, no!
0:10:11 > 0:10:13I passed!
0:10:13 > 0:10:16You thought I can't live? Well, this is me living!
0:10:16 > 0:10:18This is me being independent!
0:10:18 > 0:10:22Now Helen wants to prove to the world she can pass her driving test.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26You don't need to have a mind-set of, like,
0:10:26 > 0:10:28"Oh, my God, I can't do it.
0:10:28 > 0:10:32"I've got so many problems, I'm different, I can't do it."
0:10:32 > 0:10:36Yeah, you CAN do it. You can do it.
0:10:42 > 0:10:43Right, let's go.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47I'm looking forward to the time when you drive.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49Yes!
0:10:49 > 0:10:51- What do you reckon?- Yeah, very cool!
0:10:51 > 0:10:53When you've done your Pass Plus.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57- I love you, Papa. - And I love you too, Rannoch.
0:10:57 > 0:10:58I love you, too.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01And it's getting a bit sunnier, as well!
0:11:01 > 0:11:03- It's great.- What a day!
0:11:05 > 0:11:08Rannoch and his dad like to drive to remote locations
0:11:08 > 0:11:12to indulge in their favourite hobby - wind farms.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17So far, they've seen almost 2,000 turbines.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19A very interesting way to describe me would be
0:11:19 > 0:11:24an autistic wind farm-loving unicyclist and horticulturalist!
0:11:24 > 0:11:25Right, off we go.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28Rannoch's doing his Pass Plus scheme
0:11:28 > 0:11:32so he can drive and see wind farms on his own.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36'My parents also wanted me to be able to drive a car
0:11:36 > 0:11:42'and I can go to wind farms whenever I want to,'
0:11:42 > 0:11:48whilst my dad is too busy to spend time going to wind farms with me.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50All right, Rannoch?
0:11:50 > 0:11:54'Being underneath a wind turbine is very exciting'
0:11:54 > 0:11:57in which, they're so big,
0:11:57 > 0:12:03and high, high above you are these big, moving blades.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07That's why wind farms are such a great passion of mine.
0:12:09 > 0:12:10When I'm dead and gone,
0:12:10 > 0:12:13he'll be able to come to wind farms by himself,
0:12:13 > 0:12:15but I don't want him to go without me!
0:12:16 > 0:12:18Will you miss not going to wind farms with your dad?
0:12:18 > 0:12:20Not necessarily, no.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25Um, because, also because wind farms are my favourite passion.
0:12:25 > 0:12:30I'm thrilled that it means I can go to wind farms
0:12:30 > 0:12:33even if my dad's unavailable.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42It's been six months since Helen started learning with Sarah
0:12:42 > 0:12:46and her twitches are still proving a problem during lessons.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49Whenever my emotions get the better of me, I twitch.
0:12:49 > 0:12:50It's an emotional thing.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54- Sorry.- Sh...
0:12:54 > 0:12:56Sorry!
0:12:56 > 0:12:59Did we panic then when we saw the lights changing? Leave it in gear.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03'Normal people just go through their emotions normally.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06'When I go through my emotions, I twitch.'
0:13:12 > 0:13:16So, we're going to go up to a roundabout at the end of here,
0:13:16 > 0:13:17we're going to do a right turn.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22Sarah tests Helen with tricky situations like roundabouts
0:13:22 > 0:13:26to give her practice in controlling her twitches.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29Right, so it's the third exit up here.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31Come into this right-hand lane.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38But the twitches are still making her take her hand off the wheel.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45Through her test, maybe two or three times she could do that,
0:13:45 > 0:13:46but any more than that,
0:13:46 > 0:13:48- then she's going to be... - Endangering others.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51Yeah, she's going to be at risk of putting other people in danger.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53What would you say to someone who says
0:13:53 > 0:13:55"I don't think you should be on the road?"
0:13:55 > 0:13:56That's your opinion.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58I can be safe.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02I mean, I'm not dangerous, I can...
0:14:02 > 0:14:05If I put my mind to something, I can do it.
0:14:05 > 0:14:06I can't even see her head.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09Where did you go. Helen!
0:14:09 > 0:14:12Helen grew up in the shadow of her twin sister Carina,
0:14:12 > 0:14:16who excelled at school and learned to drive in just eight weeks.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19I look at the way my sister drives and think, "Ooh, that's fun."
0:14:19 > 0:14:25I think of all the places she can go and the stuff she can do.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27- Do you want to be like your sister? - Yeah.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29There you go - twins!
0:14:29 > 0:14:31Wearing the same thing.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33I actually hated that, that because we're twins,
0:14:33 > 0:14:35we should be the same person.
0:14:35 > 0:14:39I feel like it's unfair, because liking school, liking driving,
0:14:39 > 0:14:42liking everything that I'm able to do, and Helen isn't,
0:14:42 > 0:14:44you know, it's not the same, what we can achieve.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47Why do you think Helen twitches?
0:14:47 > 0:14:49She twitches when she gets excited.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53It's like an express of energy.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57Do you think she can control them, though?
0:14:57 > 0:15:00You can't control a subconscious behaviour.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02Unless you sought, um...
0:15:04 > 0:15:07..help that went into the subconscious,
0:15:07 > 0:15:09so like hypnotherapy or...
0:15:09 > 0:15:12You know, my mum had hypnotherapy to stop her smoking and it worked.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15You know? Maybe look at hypnotherapy to stop Helen twitching?
0:15:15 > 0:15:19- Maybe, yeah. - Worth looking at, though.- Yeah.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27OK, what do you need to be doing here?
0:15:27 > 0:15:30Building up speed to similar on the motorway.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32Rannoch is carrying on with Pass Plus
0:15:32 > 0:15:36and it's his first time driving on a motorway.
0:15:36 > 0:15:37What speed are you doing?
0:15:37 > 0:15:40- 70.- That's fine.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42What's coming up round the corner?
0:15:42 > 0:15:44A lorry.
0:15:44 > 0:15:45Because of the speed,
0:15:45 > 0:15:49John gets Rannoch to spot dangers a long way ahead.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52Oh, yeah, oh, er...a slip road.
0:15:52 > 0:15:53Yeah, good.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56Now, what about for the off slip?
0:15:56 > 0:15:58Does it look OK? Yes, it does.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00No, it doesn't.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03- Keep back a bit.- Right.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05That's fine. And then back on the gas again.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08So it looks as though that Royal Mail van will hold me up.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11- Does it look OK?- Yes, it does.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15Oh, yeah. Can't see round the bend far down there.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17I can see both its headlights.
0:16:20 > 0:16:21That's good.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31- The joining, leaving...- Mm-hm.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34I would now put that as an exceed.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36- Really?- Yeah. OK?
0:16:37 > 0:16:41- OK.- That's what we wanted to achieve on that lesson.- Yes.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43You've done it. Well done. OK?
0:16:45 > 0:16:48I'm Debbie, nice to meet you. We're going to be going down there.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50Helen's followed her sister's suggestion
0:16:50 > 0:16:52and found a hypnotherapist.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54Take a seat wherever you want.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57- Oh, that one's got my name on it, that one!- Lovely.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59I feel relaxed already!
0:17:01 > 0:17:04Debbie will try to help Helen control her twitches.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06So...
0:17:06 > 0:17:09When you're thinking about taking your test,
0:17:09 > 0:17:11- how does that make you feel? - Oh, God...
0:17:11 > 0:17:12DEBBIE LAUGHS
0:17:12 > 0:17:14Like, ugh!
0:17:16 > 0:17:19Hypnotherapy works by entering the subconscious
0:17:19 > 0:17:22and changing people's patterns of behaviour.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24- SOFT, SINGSONG VOICE: - Close your eyes now...
0:17:24 > 0:17:29As you begin to feel very relaxed.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33I would like you now
0:17:33 > 0:17:39to imagine that you are driving a car
0:17:39 > 0:17:44and every time you hear the sound of the engine...
0:17:46 > 0:17:49..you become a confident...
0:17:50 > 0:17:56..calm and very successful driver.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58- BRIGHTLY:- Eyes open now.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00Wide awake.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04Now just give yourself some time to adjust.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06You did really, really well.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09I could tell you were nice and relaxed
0:18:09 > 0:18:13because your breathing changed, but also, do you know what stopped?
0:18:13 > 0:18:15- What?- The noises stopped.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18- I didn't notice that. - And the twitching stopped.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22That shows us that if we can get you feeling nice and calm and relaxed
0:18:22 > 0:18:24when you're in a car,
0:18:24 > 0:18:26there's going to be less twitching
0:18:26 > 0:18:28and less potentially dangerous movements.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31I'd be amazed, actually.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33From what I've seen today,
0:18:33 > 0:18:37I am hopeful that we can either reduce it
0:18:37 > 0:18:38or stop that behaviour.
0:18:38 > 0:18:43For the first time in her life, for a few moments,
0:18:43 > 0:18:45Helen stopped her twitches.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47I might actually be able to drive without twitching.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49Apparently, I can control it.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51There you go, there's my revelation.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54I didn't know I can control it. But I can control it!
0:19:00 > 0:19:04Over the next few weeks, Rannoch and Helen hone their driving skills.
0:19:06 > 0:19:10Hmph. Uh-oh, I'm straddling some of the lines.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12Pop yourself in...
0:19:12 > 0:19:15Debbie the hypnotherapist comes to observe Helen
0:19:15 > 0:19:18to see how she is getting on.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20Now go, squeeze - big squeeze.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22Follow it all the way round...
0:19:22 > 0:19:25- You're going to hit the kerb.- Ooh! - Keep on following round.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28'It was really useful for me to see what was happening and when,'
0:19:28 > 0:19:30so I just need to give her some new strategies to help her
0:19:30 > 0:19:32stay nice and calm in those situations.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35So, for example, if she is waiting somewhere,
0:19:35 > 0:19:39rather than seeing it as a time to get nervous, actually,
0:19:39 > 0:19:41it's time for her to have a breather
0:19:41 > 0:19:43and focus and really see what she's going to do next.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48- Are you in neutral, Rannoch? - I'm in first.
0:19:48 > 0:19:49I don't think you should be in first
0:19:49 > 0:19:52when you're sitting in a traffic jam, should you?
0:19:52 > 0:19:54- John, you're being a back-seat driver.- The worst.
0:19:54 > 0:19:59You're... Well, if I were you, I would not be.
0:19:59 > 0:20:00No. We're just going to relax, Rannoch.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03Rannoch's parents finally feel confident enough
0:20:03 > 0:20:05to let him drive them around.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07It couldn't be a nicer day.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09I think the sun's come out because you're driving.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12No, we have no control over the weather!
0:20:12 > 0:20:14The weather controls itself naturally!
0:20:14 > 0:20:15I know, that's true.
0:20:19 > 0:20:21Just get belted up.
0:20:21 > 0:20:22After three months,
0:20:22 > 0:20:26Rannoch has reached the final module of his Pass Plus.
0:20:27 > 0:20:28If he passes night driving,
0:20:28 > 0:20:32his parents will finally allow him to drive on his own.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34We're now looking at the...
0:20:34 > 0:20:36Night-time driving.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39The sky is getting darker and darker.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42Now, that brings us to the question...
0:20:42 > 0:20:45When should you put headlights on?
0:20:45 > 0:20:47When it gets to about... this dark.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52Wall of school kids, must be a school nearby.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55Footlights not flashing, it's definitely not school time.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57Anything happening in this road?
0:20:57 > 0:20:59No. What about the road opposite? No.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03Pass Plus students need to show an understanding
0:21:03 > 0:21:07of how night-time driving can affect visibility.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09Ooh, another thing occurred to me, John.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11Because the lights,
0:21:11 > 0:21:16you could easily recognise anybody coming from any side roads.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19- Excellent.- Oh, yes - a man out for a run.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23I can see him because he's wearing a fluorescent T-shirt.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25Good.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29But driving at night tests Rannoch's skills to the limit.
0:21:29 > 0:21:30- CRUNCH - Ooh!
0:21:30 > 0:21:32Sorry about that.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34I was a bit too close.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36Oh, no - I've ruined this.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42Rannoch is going to meet his parents at a village pub
0:21:42 > 0:21:45to find out if he's achieved his Pass Plus.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51The friends and family have gathered to find out the result.
0:21:51 > 0:21:52Right.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56- Engine off.- Engine off.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58Right. We'll talk about it outside.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01Hello, Rannoch!
0:22:01 > 0:22:03- Hiya, Mama!- How you doing?
0:22:03 > 0:22:06- I'm good. - Shall we go inside, Rannoch?
0:22:06 > 0:22:07You bet!
0:22:08 > 0:22:10Shall I go in first?
0:22:10 > 0:22:11OK.
0:22:14 > 0:22:15Hello, everyone.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19Now, wait a minute - here's the formal...
0:22:20 > 0:22:24- The formal results! - The formal results, yes!
0:22:24 > 0:22:26Rannoch has passed his Pass Plus...
0:22:26 > 0:22:28CHEERING
0:22:37 > 0:22:40Thank you so much for gathering here, everybody,
0:22:40 > 0:22:43to celebrate this wonderful occasion.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46And, er... Thanks to this...
0:22:47 > 0:22:49..wonderful man over here, John,
0:22:49 > 0:22:53who has taught me very well how to drive safely,
0:22:53 > 0:22:55I've learnt a lot from him.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58Thanks to him, who's been such a good driver,
0:22:58 > 0:23:01I have developed wonderful driving skills!
0:23:08 > 0:23:11Rannoch, can I buy you a drink?
0:23:11 > 0:23:13- Yes, please!- You're not doing any more driving tonight?
0:23:13 > 0:23:16No! Not now! So I can just...have a drink.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20Maybe something alcoholic, I can then walk home!
0:23:20 > 0:23:22I can then walk home full of pleasure!
0:23:22 > 0:23:24THEY LAUGH
0:23:24 > 0:23:26- DIRECTOR:- So, how are you feeling, Rannoch?
0:23:26 > 0:23:29Oh, I'm feeling mega-proud of myself!
0:23:29 > 0:23:33I'm now such a fully qualified driver...
0:23:34 > 0:23:35Oh, I just can't believe it.
0:23:35 > 0:23:39This Guinness beer is a worthy reward!
0:23:39 > 0:23:41Is he ready now to go and drive on his own?
0:23:41 > 0:23:43Absolutely. Yeah.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45APPLAUSE
0:23:49 > 0:23:53- DEBBIE ON TAPE: - 'Whenever you are going to brake
0:23:53 > 0:23:55'or stop somewhere,
0:23:56 > 0:23:59'you remember your mirror checks...'
0:23:59 > 0:24:02It's the day of Helen's mock test.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06She's listening to a recording by Debbie, her hypnotherapist.
0:24:08 > 0:24:12'It calms me down, it just mellows me out.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15'I don't twitch as much and I'm more focused.'
0:24:20 > 0:24:22It's a case of making sure
0:24:22 > 0:24:25she's making the right progress with the hypnotherapist
0:24:25 > 0:24:27and reducing the amount of tics that she's doing.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30- I'm going to shut the door, all right?- Yeah.
0:24:30 > 0:24:31For the mock test,
0:24:31 > 0:24:35Sarah wants to see both hands on the wheel at all times
0:24:35 > 0:24:37unless the car is stationary,
0:24:37 > 0:24:40something Helen has never managed before.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42I'm going to be making notes of when you...
0:24:42 > 0:24:44when you actually tic,
0:24:44 > 0:24:48because obviously one of the big concerns is we want to make sure...
0:24:48 > 0:24:50I do it as less as possible.
0:24:50 > 0:24:54Yeah, you really only want to be doing two tics like that.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01OK. When the car is secured, and stopped. All right?
0:25:01 > 0:25:04Right, then. Off we go, Helen.
0:25:04 > 0:25:05Mm-hm.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07Don't take any notice of what I'm writing.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09Mm-hm.
0:25:09 > 0:25:11Turn right at the end of the road.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13That's left.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15I knew that.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26SHE CLEARS HER THROAT
0:25:26 > 0:25:28Helen takes her hand off the wheel.
0:25:29 > 0:25:30But it's just a cough.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40Sarah takes Helen to a roundabout where she normally twitches.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44This time, she controls them.
0:25:51 > 0:25:55Helen even controls her twitches when the car is stationary.
0:25:56 > 0:26:00After 45 minutes, the mock test is over.
0:26:00 > 0:26:01So, how do you think it went?
0:26:02 > 0:26:04I think I made one mistake.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06Generally speaking, that was...
0:26:06 > 0:26:08You did a good drive.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11Tic-wise, I think I did really well.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14You did do very well, actually. I was very impressed.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16I had a few flinches, but I didn't take my hands off the wheel,
0:26:16 > 0:26:19so I'm hoping that that was OK.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22But you did really well, so it was a big improvement,
0:26:22 > 0:26:24big, big improvement with that.
0:26:24 > 0:26:26I was thinking, don't touch my face!
0:26:26 > 0:26:29- My God, my face got so itchy at one point.- I know!
0:26:34 > 0:26:35Winner! Guess what?
0:26:35 > 0:26:38- What?- I didn't twitch!
0:26:38 > 0:26:39Oh, Melly!
0:26:39 > 0:26:40Oh!
0:26:42 > 0:26:43Oh, my little melon.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46- DIRECTOR:- Does that mean you can take your test, Helen?
0:26:46 > 0:26:47Yeah!
0:26:47 > 0:26:49I didn't twitch!
0:26:49 > 0:26:52I'm proud! I'm really proud!
0:26:52 > 0:26:54I always knew she could do it, like...
0:26:54 > 0:26:56I have no problem believing in her.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59I believe that whatever she puts her mind to, she can do.
0:26:59 > 0:27:00That's a massive achievement.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02Yeah!
0:27:02 > 0:27:05So why aren't you, like, so excited about it?
0:27:05 > 0:27:07I'm having a mini-party inside!
0:27:08 > 0:27:12- Dancing!- Yeah! Cuddle up.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17Are you going to go to wind farms on your own, now?
0:27:18 > 0:27:19I think I probably will.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22Because now I can drive,
0:27:22 > 0:27:26and I'm insured and that way,
0:27:26 > 0:27:33I can enjoy my best passion any time I want to, really.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36Bye-bye, Rannoch. Can I have a hug before you go?
0:27:36 > 0:27:37Yes, you may.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43- Good luck. Good luck.- Bye!
0:27:44 > 0:27:46Oof!
0:27:46 > 0:27:47I can see him doing
0:27:47 > 0:27:50all his preliminary preparations, looking around.
0:27:50 > 0:27:54An independent young man, 21 years old and...
0:27:55 > 0:27:58..driving for the first time in his life. And...
0:28:00 > 0:28:02Huh... What a moment.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06What a moment for his mum and for me.
0:28:06 > 0:28:07Bye!
0:28:11 > 0:28:12Cheerio!
0:28:16 > 0:28:18OK, so it's a 20 zone...
0:28:20 > 0:28:21People waiting for a bus there.
0:28:21 > 0:28:23People waiting at a bus stop opposite.
0:28:23 > 0:28:27Cyclist, lady running.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29I'll just allow those people to get across.
0:28:31 > 0:28:33This road's nice and straight for a change.
0:28:56 > 0:29:01I'm feeling very happy that I've now arrived here all by myself
0:29:01 > 0:29:06and I'm right under my favourite things...
0:29:07 > 0:29:11..for the first time, all by myself.
0:29:11 > 0:29:13Just proud of myself now.
0:29:40 > 0:29:43Eleni tries to overcome her nerves when she drives.
0:29:45 > 0:29:47In through the nose, out through the mouth.
0:29:47 > 0:29:50Sometimes I get very anxious and stressed out
0:29:50 > 0:29:52when people aren't getting out of your way.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57That's why my brain is on the go 24/7, like a set of bongo drums,
0:29:57 > 0:29:58if I'm being honest with you.
0:29:58 > 0:30:01While Alice puts her reflexes to the test...
0:30:03 > 0:30:05- BRAKES SQUEAL - Oh, my God.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08..and tries to make her mother proud.
0:30:08 > 0:30:10Then pass your test, Alice.
0:30:10 > 0:30:13- All right, then.- Right. Show us someone with autism,
0:30:13 > 0:30:16Tourette's and ADHD can past their driving test.
0:30:16 > 0:30:19- Show us. - You're stressing me out, now.