Tag Archives: drivers license

Will my au pair be able to drive in the US?

State Farm Teen Driver

Photo credit: State Farm (Flickr)

From kidnotes APIA’s Host Family Blog

By Mmendez

This is a common question host families ask, because many are looking for help getting children to and from various appointments and activities. The good news is: Yes, your au pair can drive!

Au Pair in America requires every au pair to have a valid home country driver’s license and requests that each au pair obtains an International Driving Permit (IDP) before leaving for America (IDPs are only available in an au pair’s home country).

Host parents that know they will have an au pair driving their children often include an Au Pair in America exclusive AAA driving course for au pairs as part of orientation and training. This course is designed specifically for international drivers with safety instruction for driving with children.

We’re always looking for ways to help au pairs and host families have safe and rewarding experiences together. In addition to information about insurance requirements and driving rules and restrictions for au pairs, resources for au pair driving include an American Road Signs test, information about car safety kits and driving tips for hazardous weather. If you have useful suggestions or questions about au pairs driving, we welcome your comments.

A note from your counselor: Each state in the US, including the District of Columbia, has special driving requirements.  Please click here to learn about what your au pair needs specifically to be able to apply for a DC drivers license.

 

Sticking around? The in’s and out’s of extension

By Ann Robertson

You’ve been here for a while now, – you know your way around town, you’ve gone to school, made friends, and are having a great American experience. And then . . . the question:

Would you like to extend?

If you have time for it in your life, and you meet the requirements, the extension program might be the right option for you.

The basics: You can choose to extend for 6, 9, or 12 months, and you may choose to extend with your current host family (if they are interested, of course), or with a new family – some au pairs dream of seeing another part of the country, finding different education options, or just experiencing another American family.

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

MEDICAL INSURANCE:

Your medical policy expires for the first year, and you start your new policy during the year you extend.

For example:

-If your first year began February 2013, your insurance policy is the 2013 policy until Feb 2014.

-If you start your extension in February 2014, you start the 2014 policy in February. (be aware of the changes in the policy look on the blog for the brochure).

Your insurance card expires after one year, so you should receive a printable card when you start your extension year. If you do not receive it call the agency for a new card.

If you purchased the upgrade insurance in your first year, you must purchase it again in the second year.

If you purchased the sports insurance in your first year, it lasts only 12 months from the time you bought it. Depending on when you bought it, you will probably need to purchase it again.

EDUCATION

If you extend for 9 or 12 months you must earn  6 credits again or 72 hours of education to complete the program requirements.

If you extend for 6 months you only need 3 credits or 36 hours of education.

 

DRIVERS LICENSE

Check on the expiration of your driver’s license, you must renew it before it expires (DO NOT LET YOUR LICENSE EXPIRE). Most likely you will need to renew it before you start your extension year. Check with your new host family for laws in your new destination state.

VACATION

Vacation for a 6 month extension is 6 days.

Vacation for a 9 and 12 month is 2 weeks.

TRAVEL

Check on the expiration date of your visa. If it expires before your second year starts then you should not travel outside of the USA – there is a risk of not being able to return (Canada, and Mexico and contiguous islands are okay to travel to). With the exception that if you return home during your first year after your approval for extension, you can get your visa renewed for another year. You must ask the agency (contact Evelyn Blum) for the paperwork required for this renewal.

Photo: Dafne Cholet (Flickr)

Photo: Dafne Cholet (Flickr)