Since Washington, DC is such a pedestrian-friendly city and has such a vast public transportation system, many au pairs may not be required to drive for their host families.  Non- driving au pairs often ask what is the best official identification they can get since their passports and Social Security cards have to be kept safely at home and not in their wallets.  Generally, I encourage all au pairs to get a DC Drivers License so they can:

• drive in the event of an emergency;
• be more easily matched in case they go into rematch because they would be ready to drive immediately for a new host family; and
• simply to have the option to drive on road trips during their vacation and travel month.

If an au pair is convinced that driving is not for her and that she will not have to drive at all during her au pair year, then she can request a Non-Driver Identification Card also called a REAL ID Card at the DC Department of Motor Vehicles.

For more information on this topic, see http://dmv.dc.gov/service/driver-licenses