Driving in the United States — A Driver Safety Course Custom Designed with Au Pairs In Mind

No matter how much driving experience your new au pair may have, she is now preparing to drive in a foreign country. If you have ever driven in a foreign country or even rented a car somewhere you have never driven before, it may help you to recall what that feels like. It can be a challenge for even the most experienced of drivers.

This is why Au Pair in America has partnered with AAA, the nation’s most trusted name in driver safety and instruction, to offer a custom course specifically designed for au pairs. This course differs from those offered in your community, in that AAA has taken the best of several of their courses, adapted them to be the most accessible to the au pair population, with special focus on driver and child passenger safety. Key components of the course include:

 Driver Safety
 Child passenger safety (car seats, communication, expectations)
 Communication and traffic devices
 Vehicle Awareness (understanding what your vehicle is “telling you.”)
 Reducing Risks while Driving (includes defensive driving techniques, phone/texting issues, and drinking and driving awareness)

The course includes:

– AAA course designed exclusively for Au Pair In America. Course includes a combination of lecture, group exercises, video/other media to ensure the maximum understanding to speakers of other languages or newly arrived to the US participants.
– An extra night and meals at the Holiday Inn Select, Stamford CT. Au Pairs will arrive at orientation a day early, and attend the AAA course before the main orientation sessions begin. Au pairs will depart from orientation on the regularly scheduled departure day to your home.
– Certificate of completion from AAA* with supporting documents for au pair and host family resource throughout the year.

Course Cost: $250. Please fill out the enrollment form and fax back by the due date. Because airline tickets need to be booked, the deadline is firm. In addition, enrollments will be on a first come basis. Should the class be full when you enroll, you will be notified immediately.

Payment for the course can be made via credit card or check. If mailing a check, please also fax your enrollment form so that we can move ahead with the travel arrangements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this course have on-the-road training?
This course is a classroom course. The best place for an au pair to practice driving is in her host community after she has had an adjustment period and has attended the AAA course to give her a foundation of information regarding driving in the US. Please see the Au Pairs Behind the Wheel document included in your confirmation packet for tips on driving practice.

Are there AAA driving schools our au pair can attend?
Yes, there are AAA driving schools in many communities. A listing will be enclosed in her course folder. After the practice period is complete with you, you or your au pair may feel that some formal instruction or a professional driving assessment is needed. Discuss the driving practice with your au pair and community counselor and what might be the next step to help you au pair feel comfortable and gain confidence.

How is this course different from one in my community? If my au pair has to take a course in my community in order to get her license, why should I sign her up for this course?
The course is specifically designed with au pairs in mind. AAA has worked closely with Au Pair in America to design the course to focus on things most relevant to au pairs and driving, such as transporting children. The language of the program will be tailored to address the varying English levels of au pairs. This would not happen in your local community school or defensive driving school.

Will there be a delay in my au pair’s arrival to our home because of this course?
No, au pairs attending the course will arrive a day early to orientation and take the course prior to beginning the regular orientation courses.

How will my au pair know she is attending this course? Do I need to tell her?
Our overseas offices will communicate directly with au pairs, letting them know she will be attending the course. She will receive an outline of the course, instructions on the fact that she will be arriving a day early and all the necessary information for her arrival to the US.

Will there be a staff person on hand to attend to my au pair when she arrives early?
Yes, there will be an Au Pair in America representative at the hotel Sunday night to ensure the well-being of the au pairs.