0:00:02 > 0:00:04First, this car is in neutral. It's secured. And my eyes and ears?
0:00:04 > 0:00:07Are they in the middle of the head restraint?
0:00:07 > 0:00:09They 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 > 0:00:22Around 50,000 of them have a disability.
0:00:22 > 0:00:25Go to the toilet. Go to the toilet.
0:00:25 > 0:00:26They would think, "Honestly,
0:00:26 > 0:00:29"what'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'll 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 > 0:00:49'Potentially, if I twitch, I could kill someone.'
0:00:50 > 0:00:52I feel like I want to stop now.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54- You want to stop?- Yeah.
0:00:54 > 0:00:55HORN BLARES
0:00:55 > 0:00:58Passing their test will change their lives.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01I can drive to the music concert
0:01:01 > 0:01:03and I can see Boy George and...
0:01:03 > 0:01:04Dale 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 > 0:01:13CAR HORN BLASTS
0:01:13 > 0:01:14Did he just beep at me?
0:01:14 > 0:01:16Stop!
0:01:16 > 0:01:17Oh, 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 > 0:01:25You have got your driving licence with you, haven't you?
0:01:25 > 0:01:28- I haven't.- No! No!
0:01:28 > 0:01:30No! No!
0:01:30 > 0:01:33..the 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.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41BRAKES SCREECH
0:01:44 > 0:01:46Do you have sugar in your tea now, Alice?
0:01:46 > 0:01:48Yeah, three, please.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52- Three?!- Yeah.- You don't need three.
0:01:52 > 0:01:5520-year-old Alice lives at home with her mum,
0:01:55 > 0:01:57and has just started learning to drive.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01How long have you been driving, Alice?
0:02:01 > 0:02:03I think about three, four weeks now.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07- Are you going to come and have some tea?- Yeah.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11I thought that with her nerves and with her autism and Tourette's,
0:02:11 > 0:02:14I didn't think she'd be able to do it.
0:02:14 > 0:02:20I thought she would have a massive meltdown, but she hasn't.
0:02:20 > 0:02:21She's really impressed me.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25This is her. One pound four.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28Alice was born 13 weeks prematurely
0:02:28 > 0:02:32and her mum was told her new baby probably wouldn't live.
0:02:32 > 0:02:34This machine is actually breathing for her.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36I look like a little baby alien.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41Your head would fit in my hand, that's how tiny you was.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43Your head would fit in there.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45And look at you now, learning to drive.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48At the moment, I'm biking everywhere and walking
0:02:48 > 0:02:50and when it's wet weather, like it was yesterday,
0:02:50 > 0:02:53it really frustrates me cos I always look at these cars going past
0:02:53 > 0:02:56and go, "Oh, I wish I really had one at the moment."
0:02:58 > 0:03:02Today, Alice is taking her fourth driving lesson
0:03:02 > 0:03:04with instructor Graham.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07Off the brake, a little gas.
0:03:07 > 0:03:08Oh, God!
0:03:08 > 0:03:10- Just relax. - What have I done?- Just relax.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12Pull that down and then let go.
0:03:12 > 0:03:13Clutch up slowly.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16Alice wants to drive to be more independent,
0:03:16 > 0:03:20but her mum has another reason. She's seriously ill.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24When the doctor first said to me about what I'd got wrong,
0:03:24 > 0:03:28the myelofibrosis, and explained to me what it was,
0:03:28 > 0:03:30the first thing I said to him was,
0:03:30 > 0:03:33"But I've got to live for my daughter."
0:03:34 > 0:03:37And it was the first thing that comes to my mind.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39This is part of the plan, isn't it?
0:03:39 > 0:03:43To get Alice to drive and become independent.
0:03:43 > 0:03:45That is what my whole aim is, yeah.
0:03:47 > 0:03:52If the worst happens, then she can cope and manage without me.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56For Alice to pass her test and gain independence,
0:03:56 > 0:03:59she has to stop being overcautious.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01She hasn't driven over 30 yet
0:04:01 > 0:04:05and Graham wants to teach her to increase her speed.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09A little bit more gas because we're in that 40 zone we want to be.
0:04:09 > 0:04:11I feel like I want to stop now.
0:04:11 > 0:04:13- You want to stop?- Yeah.
0:04:13 > 0:04:15Do you feel uncomfortable?
0:04:15 > 0:04:17- Mm-hm.- Yeah?
0:04:17 > 0:04:19I think it's because I know I've got to go a bit faster.
0:04:21 > 0:04:22You can do it.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25We can do it together, can't we?
0:04:25 > 0:04:26Mm-hm.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30Then we're going to go gear number four, which is straight back.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34I don't feel good.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37You can beat that record from last lesson.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40- No, I really don't feel good. - Are you all right?
0:04:40 > 0:04:42Talk to me, sweetheart.
0:04:42 > 0:04:43I don't feel good.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47You've beaten your record, you've got up to 45,
0:04:47 > 0:04:51so you've done that without thinking about it, so you CAN do it.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54I think it's because I need someone to talk to, sort of relax me,
0:04:54 > 0:04:56- rather than sitting completely silent.- Yeah.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01Coming in to the left.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04Straightening up onto the...
0:05:04 > 0:05:06Clutch down.
0:05:06 > 0:05:07Yes.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09- That was kind of fun.- Engine off.
0:05:12 > 0:05:13Wow! Well done.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17You should be proud of that.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24KNOCK AT DOOR
0:05:24 > 0:05:26That could be Tracey.
0:05:26 > 0:05:2730-year-old Eleni...
0:05:29 > 0:05:30Hello, Tracey, are you all right?
0:05:30 > 0:05:33..has been learning to drive on and off for five years.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38Her instructor, Tracey, has arrived to take her for a lesson...
0:05:39 > 0:05:43..but before she can get in a car, she has to deal with her nerves.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45What is it you're taking?
0:05:45 > 0:05:49It's an anxiety tablet prescribed by my GP.
0:05:49 > 0:05:54Eleni was told she had a condition when she was 22.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58Asperger's syndrome is a communication difficulty on the autistic spectrum.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00That's why my brain is on the go 24/7,
0:06:00 > 0:06:02like a set of bongo drums, if I'm honest with you.
0:06:02 > 0:06:07Going 80mph as though I was doing 200mph down the M1.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10She can get very anxious when things start happening around her.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13She sometimes thinks of hazards that are not hazards,
0:06:13 > 0:06:15so she tends to get a little bit anxious when she sees
0:06:15 > 0:06:18lots of things and her mind is all over the place.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26Tracey has been teaching Eleni for the last year
0:06:26 > 0:06:30and wants to find a way to control her anxiety.
0:06:30 > 0:06:31Shut the world out.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34Eleni's driving time.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36OK? So we might need to do some deep breathing
0:06:36 > 0:06:39- as you're driving down the road. - Yes.- You and me the same.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45In through the nose, out through the mouth. OK?
0:06:48 > 0:06:51It doesn't take long for Eleni's nerves to get the better of her.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59- Are you OK?- I'll live!
0:06:59 > 0:07:00BOTH LAUGH
0:07:00 > 0:07:04- Just a couple of deep breaths. - To say the least, yes.- Deep breaths.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06Sometimes I get very anxious and stressed out
0:07:06 > 0:07:09when people aren't getting out of your way
0:07:09 > 0:07:12because when you're loaded with pedestrians on the road,
0:07:12 > 0:07:14the one thing you can't do is rush on the road
0:07:14 > 0:07:16unless you want a collision,
0:07:16 > 0:07:18in which case, thank you, but no thank you, not today.
0:07:18 > 0:07:22When Eleni gets anxious, she forgets to breathe.
0:07:24 > 0:07:25Are you OK?
0:07:25 > 0:07:28- Yes.- Yeah? Are you still doing that breathing?
0:07:28 > 0:07:30I heard you holding your breath for a second, there.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32I thought you were going to go purple on me.
0:07:34 > 0:07:35OK?
0:07:35 > 0:07:37My chest starts to hurt to begin with.
0:07:37 > 0:07:41I'm a fraction shaky in my fingertips and my arms,
0:07:41 > 0:07:43but sometimes the roads are very unpredictable.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46You never know who's going to be on them,
0:07:46 > 0:07:49what the person or the dog, in some cases, is going to be doing.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51You've got vans and cars and fire engines
0:07:51 > 0:07:53in places you don't want them to be.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55Let it roll forwards a little bit.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57Gently bring it to the stop.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01Keep your feet still, handbrake, so bottom to top.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04Switch off.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06And breathe. Well done.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08- OK, how was that, then?- All right.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11I'll take another pill before I go to bed tonight, but anyway...
0:08:16 > 0:08:18You want your pan?
0:08:18 > 0:08:22Alice's mum wants to teach her daughter life skills
0:08:22 > 0:08:26in case her illness gets worse and Alice has to support herself.
0:08:26 > 0:08:27Have you washed your hands?
0:08:29 > 0:08:31MUM LAUGHS
0:08:32 > 0:08:35- INTERVIEWER:- What's it like living with your mum?
0:08:35 > 0:08:38Um...stressful at times.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40Fun, but stressful
0:08:40 > 0:08:41because we argue a lot.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45- Are you going to have a go at doing an omelette?- Yes.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47OK. You want to tip that in there.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51TIMER BLEEPS
0:08:52 > 0:08:55That's going to be disgusting.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57Why is it going to be disgusting?
0:08:57 > 0:09:00Like a pancake, you've got to do it quick. Don't tinker with it.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03No... Alice, Alice!
0:09:03 > 0:09:05You're going to burn yourself like that.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07You're going to burn yourself like that.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10There's no point getting stressed, is there, doing it?
0:09:10 > 0:09:14- Stupid!- Well, you know, there's no point getting stressed.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16- Alice.- No.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20I'll give her a few minutes, she'll calm down.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22Do you stress your mum out?
0:09:22 > 0:09:24Yeah, a lot.
0:09:25 > 0:09:26Why?
0:09:27 > 0:09:28Um...
0:09:28 > 0:09:32I think a lot of people with special needs are a lot to handle,
0:09:32 > 0:09:33more than a mainstream person.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40Come on, you can do lots of things, Alice.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43I know you can do lots of things.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50Today, they have got... Let's take a look at the date, shall we?
0:09:52 > 0:09:54They've got master data manager.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58OK, IT application management officer...
0:09:59 > 0:10:03Eleni is searching for vacancies online.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06She's been trying to get a job in IT for the last seven years
0:10:06 > 0:10:08but has found it tough going.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10So you're looking for a job?
0:10:10 > 0:10:13Yes, I'm looking to build a career in IT support.
0:10:14 > 0:10:18And I will not stop until somebody gives me a yes.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20How many job applications have you done?
0:10:20 > 0:10:22Would you like a list?
0:10:22 > 0:10:24SHE LAUGHS
0:10:25 > 0:10:29No, well, I would say a few thousand, to say the least,
0:10:29 > 0:10:31- to be honest with you. - A few thousand?
0:10:31 > 0:10:34Yes, well, I do say a few thousand is a rough estimate.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38I've actually lost count. I've had so many interviews.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41It's not just in England. I went all the way round Eastern Europe,
0:10:41 > 0:10:44so we're talking Macedonia, Romania, Czechoslovakia,
0:10:44 > 0:10:48Belarus, Russia, Romania, Ukraine...
0:10:49 > 0:10:50..Kosovo.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53Anywhere around the world that you can think of, basically,
0:10:53 > 0:10:55until somebody gave me a yes.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57Sadly, that didn't happen either.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02Eleni's learning to drive to improve her chances of employment.
0:11:02 > 0:11:06If and when I pass my test and I'm successful,
0:11:06 > 0:11:08I will be getting a job.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10- Do you think it will help? - It will help tremendously, Guy,
0:11:10 > 0:11:13yes, it will, because many employers these days, if one doesn't have
0:11:13 > 0:11:16a driving licence, one loses out on the opportunity anyway.
0:11:16 > 0:11:17Come on, then, Alice.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21- Let's go for a drive. - Have a good drive, Alice.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23- Bye, Mum.- Be careful.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31Alice is comfortable driving over 30 now
0:11:31 > 0:11:35but her next challenge is keeping her concentration when she drives.
0:11:35 > 0:11:40When we get to the end of this road, we're going to go right, please.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44Nice houses. Got to keep my eyes on the road.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47So, you're looking at houses -
0:11:47 > 0:11:50that put your position of your car just slightly wrong,
0:11:50 > 0:11:54so you've got to keep focused on the road and your driving.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57Then we're going to take the next road...
0:11:57 > 0:12:00Alice's plan is to leave home and get her own flat.
0:12:00 > 0:12:04She's started to look at potential properties...during her lessons.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06Oh, God, hit the kerb.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08Weren't looking then, sorry.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13- Pull up on the left after this road for me, Alice, please.- All right.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15A little way just past it.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17Right, when we came out of that junction,
0:12:17 > 0:12:19you just said you weren't looking.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21What distracted you?
0:12:22 > 0:12:26The houses, the flats, I don't know. They distracted me.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28But you are driving a car,
0:12:28 > 0:12:30so where should your attention be?
0:12:30 > 0:12:33Where the road is. Could have knocked someone off the pavement.
0:12:33 > 0:12:34Yes, you're quite right.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37So I need you to learn from that,
0:12:37 > 0:12:39that when you're coming out of a road,
0:12:39 > 0:12:42you've got to be totally focused on your positioning
0:12:42 > 0:12:47and not let your eyes wander at houses and other things. Yeah?
0:12:47 > 0:12:48- Mm-hm.- OK, good girl.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53Eleni's in a catch-22.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55She needs to drive to get a job,
0:12:55 > 0:12:58but without a job, she's struggling to afford her lessons.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02So, how do you pay for your driving lessons?
0:13:02 > 0:13:04Job-seeker's.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07- Yes.- Job-seeker's?
0:13:07 > 0:13:11- How much is that? - £144 every two weeks.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16At £30 a lesson, she needs to get a job, and fast.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20When I get into full-time permanent employment with an actual company,
0:13:20 > 0:13:22then I can take more driving lessons.
0:13:24 > 0:13:29Today, Eleni's got an interview with an IT recruitment firm.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33Take a good look at that. See if you've got anything to offer me
0:13:33 > 0:13:36on a contractor basis. Anything above three months or three months,
0:13:36 > 0:13:37I'd be happy to take it on.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40Sure, OK. Do you...? I think you mentioned when you came in,
0:13:40 > 0:13:41but do you drive? Do you have a car?
0:13:41 > 0:13:43I'm learning to drive as we speak.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46So driving is one of those things where it can be really,
0:13:46 > 0:13:48really important. If you're looking for roles like this,
0:13:48 > 0:13:50it gives you a lot more opportunity.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52- Flexibility and broadness. - Absolutely.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54- Thank you very much and have a good afternoon.- You too.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56- I'm out of here. Thank you. - No worries.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59He was very pleasant. I'd say the gentleman was very helpful, I have to say.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01Do you think he can get you a job?
0:14:01 > 0:14:03Yes, and of course, as soon as I have a job,
0:14:03 > 0:14:05the sooner I can gain some more driving lessons
0:14:05 > 0:14:07and then buy myself a car as soon as possible,
0:14:07 > 0:14:09if it means getting myself into employment,
0:14:09 > 0:14:12and I can broaden my horizons and go anywhere I please to work
0:14:12 > 0:14:14rather than having to rely on public transport forevermore.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19Eleni does find some money for another lesson...
0:14:20 > 0:14:24..but the bad weather is making her extra anxious.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29I don't think I like driving in the rain.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32- What bit don't you like?- All this.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35- All of it?- It's horrible. - It's just chaotic today, isn't it?
0:14:35 > 0:14:37There's usually more cars on the road, as well,
0:14:37 > 0:14:39because people don't want to walk anywhere.
0:14:39 > 0:14:40SHE SIGHS
0:14:40 > 0:14:43What we can do here is, because we're coming to a 60 zone,
0:14:43 > 0:14:45we can do what's called a blocked gear change,
0:14:45 > 0:14:46so you can go from gear two
0:14:46 > 0:14:48straight up to gear five because of the hill.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51- So, clutch down...- OK. - ..into gear five.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53- So neutral...- Yeah.- Over to you.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56- Yeah.- Over to you. Over...
0:14:56 > 0:14:58Over to you. Don't panic.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00Tracey's strategy to calm Eleni down
0:15:00 > 0:15:03is to get her to concentrate on her breathing.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06- Oh, my God!- How does that feel? - Like a roller-coaster.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08You're going about 50 there, so how is it feeling?
0:15:08 > 0:15:10Do that breathing. Now back onto your gas.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13That's it, well done. Anything you don't like the feel of,
0:15:13 > 0:15:14just do your breathing for me.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18That's it, go on.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20- BOTH LAUGH - Stop it.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24Right, shall we focus again?
0:15:26 > 0:15:28Oh, dear. You do make me laugh.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30Somebody has to.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35Alice and Eleni are both desperate to take their driving test
0:15:35 > 0:15:37but there's a problem.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39You've got an hour, OK?
0:15:39 > 0:15:42Neither of them have passed their theory test yet.
0:15:43 > 0:15:48Eleni has already failed four tests and this is Alice's first attempt.
0:15:49 > 0:15:5243 out of 50 you need to get and you got 39,
0:15:52 > 0:15:54so you're four questions away from passing.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57It was literally 39 out of 43.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59I was so close.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01On Alice's third attempt...
0:16:01 > 0:16:02- Did you pass?- No!
0:16:02 > 0:16:06- What have you got?- I've got to get two more on my bloomin' video.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09But I did pass on my questions.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12She hasn't passed the hazard perception this time.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14Oh, Alice.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16And things don't go much better for Eleni.
0:16:16 > 0:16:17One point off a pass.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19Much better, but, you know...
0:16:20 > 0:16:23..I'll have to do it again. I'm not giving up. Why should I give up?
0:16:23 > 0:16:25I enjoy what I do too much to give up.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28One point. Me and one point. Come on, I can do it.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31So, it'll be seventh time lucky?
0:16:31 > 0:16:33Yes.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35Read the answer to see what it says.
0:16:35 > 0:16:36I'm reading it.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39But when you click the thing and it comes up correct,
0:16:39 > 0:16:43it gives you a bit of information telling you about the sign.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45Alice has failed her test three times
0:16:45 > 0:16:47and is giving up hope of ever passing.
0:16:47 > 0:16:4938.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51Oh, no.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55- She needs 43, is it? - 43 is the pass. 43 and above.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59- Hey, Alice, remember... - I don't care about it.- No.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02- You passed a mainstream course.- And?
0:17:02 > 0:17:05- You passed it.- And? - So you can pass driving.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08- And?- And you can pass driving.
0:17:08 > 0:17:09Yeah, and?
0:17:10 > 0:17:12I don't care.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14- Yes, you do care.- I don't care.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19Some people who haven't got problems, Alice,
0:17:19 > 0:17:22take far many more times than you've taken.
0:17:23 > 0:17:24Doesn't mean you can't do it
0:17:24 > 0:17:26just because you've failed on a few questions,
0:17:26 > 0:17:28it doesn't mean you can't do it.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31You've just got to work at it again and do it again.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36How many do you need this time?
0:17:37 > 0:17:39Two.
0:17:39 > 0:17:40She only needs two more.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47CAR STALLS
0:17:47 > 0:17:50Even though Alice hasn't passed her theory yet,
0:17:50 > 0:17:52Graham wants to see how her driving's progressing
0:17:52 > 0:17:54and gives her a mock test.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56- (What have I done?) - Knock it down again.
0:17:56 > 0:17:57That's it.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04- Sorry.- It's OK.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07Oh, my God!
0:18:07 > 0:18:09A pedestrian's walked into the road.
0:18:09 > 0:18:10(Stupid...)
0:18:11 > 0:18:13Gear.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18SHE EXHALES
0:18:19 > 0:18:20Well done.
0:18:22 > 0:18:23Don't want to kill her!
0:18:25 > 0:18:26Scared me.
0:18:31 > 0:18:32Oh!
0:18:32 > 0:18:34Sorry.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37Pull up on the left, outside home.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43Did she pass?
0:18:43 > 0:18:45Unfortunately, not today.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48However, she's done some really, really good stuff.
0:18:48 > 0:18:52Something that wasn't planned was an emergency stop
0:18:52 > 0:18:55- for a pedestrian running out in front of you.- Mm-hm.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58It frightened you, didn't it? But if you can pass that theory test
0:18:58 > 0:19:01and we can get a test slot before the end of this year,
0:19:01 > 0:19:03I really think you can do it.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09Alice and her stepdad arrive
0:19:09 > 0:19:13for Alice's fifth attempt at her theory test.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17We are a little bit early, but, you know, it's OK.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19Eleni goes in for her seventh go
0:19:19 > 0:19:22and her mum's come along to give her support.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25Most people just come because they want to drive a car.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27For Eleni, it means so much more.
0:19:27 > 0:19:32It's for her own self-esteem and her own self-confidence, I think,
0:19:32 > 0:19:33that she needs to do this.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37- I passed!- Wa-hey! Let's have a look, let's have a look!
0:19:39 > 0:19:4148 out of 50. Oh, well done, babe!
0:19:42 > 0:19:45Bless you. You've tried so hard, haven't you?
0:19:49 > 0:19:52Hey? You tried so hard and it paid off.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54Look, you've got me crying now. Stop it.
0:19:54 > 0:19:55Four years of hell.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57Great, first the car, then the job.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59I'm on the go.
0:19:59 > 0:20:00Oh, a smile.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04Big, beaming smile. So?
0:20:04 > 0:20:07- I passed.- Well done!
0:20:07 > 0:20:08Am I allowed to give you a cuddle?
0:20:08 > 0:20:10Well done!
0:20:10 > 0:20:12- I've texted Mum.- You did it!
0:20:12 > 0:20:16That's brilliant. Great. Now we can move on now.
0:20:19 > 0:20:20You did it!
0:20:20 > 0:20:24I told you you could do it if you put some effort in.
0:20:26 > 0:20:27Come here.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30You did it, you did it!
0:20:33 > 0:20:35Over the next few weeks,
0:20:35 > 0:20:39Alice and Eleni work hard to become better drivers.
0:20:39 > 0:20:40Oh, shit.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43Where do you think it would help you if you were looking?
0:20:44 > 0:20:45- That way.- Yeah.
0:20:48 > 0:20:49And stop.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51- TYRES SCREECH - Ooh.
0:20:51 > 0:20:52That was very efficient.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56Graham decides to set a test for Alice
0:20:56 > 0:20:59to see if she can stop being distracted by houses.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01This is where you're hoping to be living, is it?
0:21:01 > 0:21:03- Down here somewhere?- On the right.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05We're just going to keep going past.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08- We're not actually going to go in, but this is the area, yeah?- Mm-hm.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13Good, well done. Concentrated on the driving, which is good.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16Left at the end, please.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18- TRACEY:- Take a nice deep breath in through the nose.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20BOTH INHALE
0:21:20 > 0:21:24Tracey increases Eleni's breathing exercises to help with her anxiety.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30- That feels relaxing. - Just do a few more.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34Mm. OK, let's drive.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39You're doing really well.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42- You know what? You're focusing so much, I'm not hearing... - TRACEY INHALES DEEPLY
0:21:42 > 0:21:44Yeah? Cos you're doing really well.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46You're focusing on what your car is doing.
0:21:52 > 0:21:57After a year of lessons, it's the day of Alice's driving test.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06Whee!
0:22:06 > 0:22:09And at the roundabout we're going left, please.
0:22:09 > 0:22:10So left at the roundabout.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12- That way?- Yeah.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19No, I really don't feel good.
0:22:19 > 0:22:20Are you all right?
0:22:20 > 0:22:22- Talk to me, sweetheart. - I don't feel good.
0:22:22 > 0:22:27Over the last year, Alice has overcome her fear of going over 30...
0:22:27 > 0:22:31You've beaten your record, you've got up to 45.
0:22:31 > 0:22:32..learned not to be distracted...
0:22:32 > 0:22:34We're just going to keep going past.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39Good, well done. Concentrated on the driving, which is good.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41..and mastered her manoeuvres.
0:22:41 > 0:22:42Take your time. Don't rush.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44Remember, lots of looking around.
0:22:50 > 0:22:51Oh...
0:22:52 > 0:22:53Well done.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58Has Alice done enough to pass her driving test?
0:23:01 > 0:23:03- INTERVIEWER:- Well?- I failed.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05- You failed?- Yeah, failed.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09It was one junction, one poor decision on the day...
0:23:10 > 0:23:12..and that's all that caused her to fail.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14- So you're going to book it again? - Yeah.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20Eleni would love to take her driving test too,
0:23:20 > 0:23:23but her lessons have come to a stop because she's run out of money.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25INTERCOM BUZZES
0:23:25 > 0:23:27- Are you Shona?- Yes.- Hello, Shona.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30- Nice to meet you. - Do you want to come on through?- Yes.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33Today, she's got an interview with an energy company.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36She needs the job to start driving again.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38Tell me a bit about yourself.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40What do you do in your spare time, for instance?
0:23:40 > 0:23:41I enjoy keeping fit predominantly.
0:23:41 > 0:23:45- OK.- I enjoy swimming above anything else because it relieves stress,
0:23:45 > 0:23:47as many of you might have discovered.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49The more you lap, the less stressed you get.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53- Yes.- In the swimming pool. - It can get quite loud and busy,
0:23:53 > 0:23:54so do you think you'd be able to...?
0:23:54 > 0:23:56With all of that going on in the background,
0:23:56 > 0:23:58that you're able to concentrate?
0:23:58 > 0:24:01I'd have to be able to concentrate, to be honest with you.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04Because if I'm dealing with information, I have to be...
0:24:04 > 0:24:06Because I'm partially deaf in my left ear, you see...
0:24:06 > 0:24:09This ear is fine, but if people are blah-blah-blah,
0:24:09 > 0:24:12you know, all around me, it would be difficult for me to concentrate,
0:24:12 > 0:24:14- if I'm being honest.- Thank you.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18- Thank you very much.- Thank you. - Thank you very much.
0:24:18 > 0:24:20Right. I will walk out with you.
0:24:20 > 0:24:21OK.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27Eleni has spent the last seven years struggling to find a full-time job.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29She was ever such a happy kid, you know.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32Really was, really happy, cheerful.
0:24:32 > 0:24:33Yeah, look.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36That's when she was with her sister.
0:24:36 > 0:24:40Eleni's mum knows how hard it's been for her daughter to find work.
0:24:40 > 0:24:48I just wish and hope that eventually somebody will realise her potential
0:24:48 > 0:24:51and actually give her a job, I really do.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53- Yes.- Has it been tough for her?
0:24:53 > 0:24:54It's been horrendous.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56I've had hell, let alone tough.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58Hell. Get your words right.
0:24:58 > 0:25:02I'm so proud of her because she has never given in.
0:25:02 > 0:25:03You've tried so hard, haven't you?
0:25:03 > 0:25:05- Yes.- Really, really hard.
0:25:05 > 0:25:09And I refuse to stop because I have a human right.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13- And... Yeah, you do. You do have a human right to go and work.- Yes.
0:25:18 > 0:25:24A few weeks after failing her first driving test, Alice has another go.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28Well, this is it, Alice.
0:25:28 > 0:25:30Yeah, shoot me.
0:25:30 > 0:25:32OK. We will get out.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34Remember the keys.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37You have got your driving licence with you, haven't you?
0:25:38 > 0:25:40- Don't tell me you haven't, Alice. - Uh-uh.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42- I haven't.- No!
0:25:42 > 0:25:44- That's the one I forgot.- No!
0:25:44 > 0:25:47- You keep it in here. - No, that's my bus pass.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49Oh, Alice!
0:25:49 > 0:25:53No, no, no, no!
0:25:53 > 0:25:54My fault.
0:25:54 > 0:25:58My fault. I should have asked you.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00You keep it in there.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03I totally forgot. It's in my mum's house.
0:26:03 > 0:26:05HE SIGHS
0:26:09 > 0:26:11Eleni didn't get the job with the energy company,
0:26:11 > 0:26:14but she's had some unexpected news.
0:26:14 > 0:26:18Out of the blue, she's had a phone call from an IT company in Greece
0:26:18 > 0:26:20offering her a job.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22This is just me finishing my packing now.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25- So you're going to go and live in Greece?- Yes, I am.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27What's that going to be like?
0:26:27 > 0:26:29I'll find out when I get there.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32It'll be a nice and different experience of me gaining
0:26:32 > 0:26:35some world experience of what it's like to stand on your own two feet
0:26:35 > 0:26:38and become more independent, but in a foreign country.
0:26:38 > 0:26:39And I can't wait.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42Take the risk while it's there or regret it for the rest of your life.
0:26:42 > 0:26:44So, are you going to give up on your driving?
0:26:44 > 0:26:46No, I'm not going to give up on my driving at all,
0:26:46 > 0:26:49to be honest with you, no. I'll never do that.
0:26:49 > 0:26:53And there are possibilities of physically passing my test
0:26:53 > 0:26:56in Greece in the future if I can do that.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59I hope this is not too heavy. Have you got everything in there?
0:27:00 > 0:27:04It'll be at the airport, that's when it'll actually hit me
0:27:04 > 0:27:06that she's not going to be at home.
0:27:12 > 0:27:13HE CHUCKLES
0:27:15 > 0:27:18I just want you to be happy.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20You'll be fine, you'll be fine.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23- I'm always fine, me.- Yeah. - Always was, always will be.
0:27:23 > 0:27:24You will. You'll be fine.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28- Come on, then.- See you soon, Dad.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30- Take care.- See you soon.
0:27:30 > 0:27:31OK, take care. Look after yourself.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33- Be strong. OK?- Yeah.
0:27:51 > 0:27:53Just remember, go slow.
0:27:53 > 0:27:55You got everything? Have you got your licence?
0:27:55 > 0:27:57- Yes!- Right.
0:27:57 > 0:27:58Bye, Mum.
0:27:58 > 0:28:00- See you later.- Bye.- Bye.
0:28:00 > 0:28:02- Good luck!- Thank you.
0:28:05 > 0:28:09It's Alice's third attempt at her driving test.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16- Well, Alice. This is it.- Mm-hm.
0:28:16 > 0:28:17I wish you good luck.
0:28:17 > 0:28:21- Thank you. - Take your time, drive smoothly
0:28:21 > 0:28:23and you will do it.
0:28:23 > 0:28:25OK, engine off.
0:28:30 > 0:28:32Alice begins her test.
0:28:46 > 0:28:49With the test over, Alice returns home.
0:28:56 > 0:28:58Wonder what she's going to say...
0:29:04 > 0:29:05Mum, bad news.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08I passed!
0:29:08 > 0:29:10SHE SQUEALS WITH DELIGHT
0:29:10 > 0:29:12I'm so proud of you!
0:29:12 > 0:29:15Oh, Alice, I'm so proud of you!
0:29:15 > 0:29:17Oh, God! I'm so...
0:29:18 > 0:29:21- You've shown everyone that you can do it.- Mm-hm.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24It doesn't matter what problems you've got, you can do anything,
0:29:24 > 0:29:26- can't you?- Mm-hm.
0:29:26 > 0:29:28Oh, you must be so happy.
0:29:28 > 0:29:30- He's going to start crying now. - I am.
0:29:30 > 0:29:32LAUGHTER
0:29:32 > 0:29:33- It's wonderful.- Yeah.
0:29:33 > 0:29:35This is what I do the job for.
0:29:37 > 0:29:39I like to give back...
0:29:40 > 0:29:42..and...
0:29:42 > 0:29:44she's done it.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47INTERVIEWER: How does it make you feel to pass?
0:29:47 > 0:29:51Like I'm a normal person and now I've got my independence
0:29:51 > 0:29:53and I'm not feeling different now.
0:29:53 > 0:29:55Now I can drive everywhere now.
0:29:55 > 0:29:57Now, I can get my car.
0:29:57 > 0:29:59CORK POPS