Tag Archives: driving

Handling Expenses

Miscellaneous Expenses

There are different ways to handle the little expenses that may come up.  Things like when an au pair takes the kids out for ice cream or picks up a gallon of milk.  Some families keep a cookie jar fund, a little cash that they set aside weekly or monthly for this kind of expenses.  Here are some suggestions for avoiding problems with that.

Host Families

  • It’s important to be clear about how long this money should last and what types of expenses are approved.
  • Let the au pair know whether or not you expect receipts.

Au Pairs

  • Only spend the money on approved expenses.
  • If it is something you are not sure about, ask first.
  • Put your receipts in the cookie jar in place of the money to avoid any confusion.

Gas and Fare Cards

Host families are responsible for the au pair’s transportation costs:

  • to and from classes and cluster meetings
  • driving the kids

It is a good idea to figure out how much gas an au pair will use for these trips and either put gas in the car or give a gas allowance.   If your au pair is riding to classes or cluster meetings with another au pair, you should offer to share the cost of gas.

Au pairs are responsible for their own transportation at all other times.  You should replace the amount of gas used for personal use.

Step by step guide to getting a PA license

DRIVING IN THE USA

According to the Geneva Convention, visitors are permitted to drive in the USA for up to 1 year with the following 4 documents: an international driver’s license, a home country license, a J1 visa and a DS2019 form.

All au pairs should be sure to have the following documents with them when they are driving:

1. International Driver’s License

2. Home Country Driver’s License

3. Vehicle Registration

4. Vehicle Insurance Certificate

5. Copy of J1 visa

6. Copy of DS2019 form

How to get a PA drivers licenseBlank Drivers License

 

Follow these steps to obtain your Driver’s License in the state of PA.
  After reviewing these steps, please click on the PA DMV attachment 
below. This will give you the most up to date information directly from 
the DMV.

1. You need to apply for your Social Security number in order to get
your driver’s license. Visit this link:  http://secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/FOLO/fo001.jsp.

2. Next, you need to get a medical physical done. Print out this form and see a doctor to confirm that you are in good health. http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/pdotforms/dl_forms/dl-180.pdf.

3. After you get your physical, begin studying for the learner’s permit.  
This is a written test that you can take on the computer at a Driver’s
License Center.  You can click on this link to practice for the test. http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/young_drivers/crossroads.shtml

4. Visit a Driver License Center with: * the completed DL-180 * your visa,
your passport, and 1-94 * Two acceptable proofs of residency, listed on
reverse side of DL-180, if you are 18 years of age or older. * Your
Social Security card. * A check or money order payable to PennDOT for
 the appropriate fee. (Cash is not accepted.)  Fact sheet for foreign
applicants:  http://www.dot3.state.pa.us/pdotforms/fact_sheets/pub195nc.pdf

5. After you get your permit, you can schedule your driver’s license exam.
 This test will be in an actual driving test in a car. Call 
1-800-423-5542. Scheduling is usually done several weeks in advance so 
it is important to start the process early.