Tag Archives: driving

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.

 

Choosing between a Drivers License or Non Driving ID

Photo Credit: Eric Chu (Flickr)

Photo Credit: Eric Chu (Flickr)

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

Driving in Washington, DC

If your Au Pair needs to drive, please carefully read the DC Department of Motor Vehicles website section entitled Driver License for Non-US Citizens also see the Quick Reference Guide that I give each Host Family at our Orientation Meeting and send to each Au Pair by mail so that she has it as soon as she arrives to your home. http://dmv.dc.gov/service/driver-license-for-non-us-citizens

Photo: Glenn3095 (Flickr)

Photo: Glenn3095 (Flickr)

Car Seat Safety is a Shared Responsibility

By Christine Connally

In Maryland, Washington DC and Virginia the laws state that children under age 8 must be secured in a car seat or booster seat that is appropriate for their age, weight and height. Children over age 8 must be properly secured in a vehicle seat belt. (That is more lax than best practice recommendations which suggest children ride in a booster seat until they fit safely into a vehicle seat belt and their feet touch the vehicle floor. This will vary by child and vehicle more than age.)

Car seats and booster seats save lives, there is no doubt about it. But, just having the car seat in the car is not enough.  Car seats and booster seats can only save lives if they are properly installed and used.

Host Parents

  • It is your responsibility to show the au pair how to properly use your car seats and/or booster seats.
  • If you expect her to change seats to different vehicles, show her how to install them properly.
  • If you do not want her to remove and re-install car seats, make that expectation clear.
  • Even if the au pair has a separate car that she is the only one driving the kids in, please check the installation of the seats periodically.

Au Pairs

  • You are responsible for making sure that you understand how to buckle the children safely in their seats and be sure that they are safely buckled in every time you take them in the car with you.
  • The car should not move unless everyone is buckled.
  • Make it a habit to check the seats each time you put the children in to see that the seat is secure and not too loose.
  • If the seat is not working properly or you cannot figure out how to get it tight, ask your host parents as soon as possible.
  • If your host parents have asked you not to remove the car seat(s), please follow that rule.
  • If you need to remove the seat for some reason, ask them for help putting the seat back in.

If you need help installing car seats, find a car seat inspection station near you: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cps/cpsfitting/index.cfm

Image: Parents Central

Image: Parents Central

What To Do In A Car Accident

By Christine Connally

Whether you are you new to driving in the US or a seasoned driver, never drive without your drivers license and remember to keep other essential documents in the car glove box. These items will be necessary if you are stopped by a police officer or have an auto accident. Not having these items can result in your receiving a ticket (citation) from a police officer. If you are involved in an accident, call the police and your Host Family immediately.

Car accident

Photo: Morgan (Flickr)

Essential Documents

If you have an accident: (from Edmunds.com)

  1. Keep Safety First. Drivers involved in minor accidents with no serious injuries should move cars to the side of the road and out of the way of oncoming traffic. Leaving cars parked in the middle of the road or busy intersection can result in additional accidents and injuries. If a car cannot be moved, drivers and passengers should remain in the cars with seatbelts fastened for everyone’s safety until help arrives. Make sure to turn on hazard lights and set out cones, flares or warning triangles if possible.
  2. Exchange Information. After the accident, exchange the following information: name, address, phone number, insurance company, policy number, driver license number and license plate number for the driver and the owner of each vehicle. If the driver’s name is different from the name of the insured, establish what the relationship is and take down the name and address for each individual. Also make a written description of each car, including year, make, model and color — and the exact location of the collision and how it happened. Finally, be polite but don’t tell the other drivers or the police that the accident was your fault, even if you think it was.
  3. Photograph and Document the Accident. Use your camera to document the damage to all the vehicles. Keep in mind that you want your photos to show the overall context of the accident so that you can make your case to a claims adjuster. If there were witnesses, try to get their contact information; they may be able to help you if the other drivers dispute your version of what happened.