Comments on: Do you require your Au Pair to get a U.S. driver’s licence? http://AuPairMom.com/do-you-require-your-au-pair-to-get-a-u-s-drivers-licence/2010/03/02/celiaharquail/ Helping Host Parents and Au Pairs build great relationships. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:40:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Host Mommy Dearest http://AuPairMom.com/do-you-require-your-au-pair-to-get-a-u-s-drivers-licence/2010/03/02/celiaharquail/comment-page-1/#comment-11044 Host Mommy Dearest Mon, 28 Jun 2010 02:07:52 +0000 http://AuPairMom.com/?p=2620#comment-11044 I'm not sure if this would work - it's just a thought.... I know you said a driver's license is not required in her current state, but what if she went and got her current state's license? She could just go to the RMV for a change of address sticker to your address when she arrives? You could offer not only to pay her for the expenses, but you could offer to pay a little bonus to obtain her license before she arrives - as an incentive to get it done? I’m not sure if this would work – it’s just a thought…. I know you said a driver’s license is not required in her current state, but what if she went and got her current state’s license? She could just go to the RMV for a change of address sticker to your address when she arrives? You could offer not only to pay her for the expenses, but you could offer to pay a little bonus to obtain her license before she arrives – as an incentive to get it done?

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]]> By: Taking a Computer Lunch http://AuPairMom.com/do-you-require-your-au-pair-to-get-a-u-s-drivers-licence/2010/03/02/celiaharquail/comment-page-1/#comment-11041 Taking a Computer Lunch Mon, 28 Jun 2010 01:28:07 +0000 http://AuPairMom.com/?p=2620#comment-11041 Our AP's failure to get a state driver's license after 8 months, despite having contributed to two sets of driving lessons, and a lot of time donated by HD, was one factor in our deciding not to extend with her. That being said, MD, the state in which I live, has started to link AP driver's licenses with the date on the original visa, with an opportunity to apply for an extension after the extension documentation is approved. So now my AP, 10 1/2 months here, has absolutely no motivation to get a US license (Chinese APs do not get the International driver's license, they get a translation of their driving license, so no expiration date, unless the license has a renewal date). I would think that creating an artificial deadline for getting your state license (ask your LCC what is reasonable) should be enough. We offer to pay for the required drug & alchol course and the license itself, because we require driving as part of work (obviously it was not motivation enough for my current AP). Ask your LCC for advice, and failing that, other HP in your area. Our AP’s failure to get a state driver’s license after 8 months, despite having contributed to two sets of driving lessons, and a lot of time donated by HD, was one factor in our deciding not to extend with her.

That being said, MD, the state in which I live, has started to link AP driver’s licenses with the date on the original visa, with an opportunity to apply for an extension after the extension documentation is approved. So now my AP, 10 1/2 months here, has absolutely no motivation to get a US license (Chinese APs do not get the International driver’s license, they get a translation of their driving license, so no expiration date, unless the license has a renewal date).

I would think that creating an artificial deadline for getting your state license (ask your LCC what is reasonable) should be enough. We offer to pay for the required drug & alchol course and the license itself, because we require driving as part of work (obviously it was not motivation enough for my current AP).

Ask your LCC for advice, and failing that, other HP in your area.

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]]> By: Anonymous in NJ http://AuPairMom.com/do-you-require-your-au-pair-to-get-a-u-s-drivers-licence/2010/03/02/celiaharquail/comment-page-1/#comment-11040 Anonymous in NJ Mon, 28 Jun 2010 01:13:12 +0000 http://AuPairMom.com/?p=2620#comment-11040 Help! We have matched with an extension au pair from another state who did not get a state license. I just learned from our LCC that an au pair can drive on an International License for only 1 year. I just figured that she'd come here and drive on her IDL until she got an NJ license. (Let's not even get into the issue that I am learning about this a full month after exchanging multiple emails with the agency and our LCC regarding this match and neither they nor her current LCC brought up this issue previously..or that I probably should have known this myself had I thoroughly read this license thread...) She'll arrive in NJ at the beginning of August. Our LCC suggested that she visit earlier to open up a bank account to get the "proof of address" in the works. This is difficult & inconvenient, but not out of the question given that she's currently within bus/train distance. I've already emailed her the DMV handbook so she can start studying. I wanted to know if families in this situation have found other ways to expedite getting a license or have any helpful suggestions. It would be great if she could go ahead and take the NJ written test so we can move more quickly to the road test, but am guessing that she won't be permitted to take even the written without proof of address, which she won't have without a bank account, which she won't have until she opens an account. She's required to take the road test, which adds a further delay since, judging from our previous au pairs' experiences, I don't think it can be scheduled until the written is passed. Since it's summertime, I could live without a driver for a month, but can't afford to have it stretch much longer than that. Had I known this in advance, I probably would not have matched with her, but since she's superb in all other ways and we're now emotionally invested in her, we want to make it work! I'm hoping that some of you have advice/tips on what I might to to expedite her getting a state license Help! We have matched with an extension au pair from another state who did not get a state license. I just learned from our LCC that an au pair can drive on an International License for only 1 year. I just figured that she’d come here and drive on her IDL until she got an NJ license. (Let’s not even get into the issue that I am learning about this a full month after exchanging multiple emails with the agency and our LCC regarding this match and neither they nor her current LCC brought up this issue previously..or that I probably should have known this myself had I thoroughly read this license thread…)

She’ll arrive in NJ at the beginning of August. Our LCC suggested that she visit earlier to open up a bank account to get the “proof of address” in the works. This is difficult & inconvenient, but not out of the question given that she’s currently within bus/train distance. I’ve already emailed her the DMV handbook so she can start studying. I wanted to know if families in this situation have found other ways to expedite getting a license or have any helpful suggestions. It would be great if she could go ahead and take the NJ written test so we can move more quickly to the road test, but am guessing that she won’t be permitted to take even the written without proof of address, which she won’t have without a bank account, which she won’t have until she opens an account. She’s required to take the road test, which adds a further delay since, judging from our previous au pairs’ experiences, I don’t think it can be scheduled until the written is passed.

Since it’s summertime, I could live without a driver for a month, but can’t afford to have it stretch much longer than that. Had I known this in advance, I probably would not have matched with her, but since she’s superb in all other ways and we’re now emotionally invested in her, we want to make it work!

I’m hoping that some of you have advice/tips on what I might to to expedite her getting a state license

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]]> By: MAmama http://AuPairMom.com/do-you-require-your-au-pair-to-get-a-u-s-drivers-licence/2010/03/02/celiaharquail/comment-page-1/#comment-7632 MAmama Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:55:44 +0000 http://AuPairMom.com/?p=2620#comment-7632 In MA, the IDL is recognized for the first year, but if an au pair extends, she has to get a state license. I think that what everyone should realize is that these rules are set state-by-state and you have to be careful with conflicting information. Also, what everyone should understand is that an IDL is NOT a special license to drive abroad...it is literally the translation of the country's license. If your au pair comes from a country where the driving rules are lax, I would lean towards having her get a state license. Also, IMHO, it is the host family's responsibility to really grill the au pair in the interview about her driving experience. For example, I always ask what is the furthest distance they have ever driven, how often, has she ever driven in poor weather (like heavy rain?), has she ever used a GPS, gotten lost, if so, what did she do? Has she ever been on a road trip with a friend? These are all indications that she has spent significant time behind the wheel of a car. if an au pair has only driven RT between her house and school a few times per week, she will have a hard time adjusting quickly to American roads. In MA, the IDL is recognized for the first year, but if an au pair extends, she has to get a state license. I think that what everyone should realize is that these rules are set state-by-state and you have to be careful with conflicting information. Also, what everyone should understand is that an IDL is NOT a special license to drive abroad…it is literally the translation of the country’s license. If your au pair comes from a country where the driving rules are lax, I would lean towards having her get a state license. Also, IMHO, it is the host family’s responsibility to really grill the au pair in the interview about her driving experience. For example, I always ask what is the furthest distance they have ever driven, how often, has she ever driven in poor weather (like heavy rain?), has she ever used a GPS, gotten lost, if so, what did she do? Has she ever been on a road trip with a friend? These are all indications that she has spent significant time behind the wheel of a car. if an au pair has only driven RT between her house and school a few times per week, she will have a hard time adjusting quickly to American roads.

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]]> By: Mom23 http://AuPairMom.com/do-you-require-your-au-pair-to-get-a-u-s-drivers-licence/2010/03/02/celiaharquail/comment-page-1/#comment-7444 Mom23 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:19:08 +0000 http://AuPairMom.com/?p=2620#comment-7444 We have our au pair take a letter from the agency, her international driver's license or one from her country, and her SS #. We have never had a problem. If you are in Northern Virginia, the DMV has had to face the issue of diplomats getting VA licenses, so I would think issuing a VA license to a foreign national should not be difficult for them. We have our au pair take a letter from the agency, her international driver’s license or one from her country, and her SS #. We have never had a problem. If you are in Northern Virginia, the DMV has had to face the issue of diplomats getting VA licenses, so I would think issuing a VA license to a foreign national should not be difficult for them.

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]]> By: LH http://AuPairMom.com/do-you-require-your-au-pair-to-get-a-u-s-drivers-licence/2010/03/02/celiaharquail/comment-page-1/#comment-7436 LH Fri, 12 Mar 2010 04:10:48 +0000 http://AuPairMom.com/?p=2620#comment-7436 My German au pair has tried to get the driver's license for 6 mo.. the crazy Virginia dmv keeps saying .. "What?@! Germany? I dont know what to do." They claim she needs a letter and they'll give it to her in mail. We're still waiting. Our aupair thinks the dmv has the dumbest ppl in the country there. I have to agree. We want her to have a state license bc insurance is less. Thats what our agency says. So for the little hassle maybe save some $. Its costing us $1000 right now.. Thats a good ? .. how much is insurance costing you all on your aupair. My German au pair has tried to get the driver’s license for 6 mo.. the crazy Virginia dmv keeps saying .. “What?@! Germany? I dont know what to do.” They claim she needs a letter and they’ll give it to her in mail. We’re still waiting. Our aupair thinks the dmv has the dumbest ppl in the country there. I have to agree.

We want her to have a state license bc insurance is less. Thats what our agency says. So for the little hassle maybe save some $. Its costing us $1000 right now.. Thats a good ? .. how much is insurance costing you all on your aupair.

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]]> By: Tanja http://AuPairMom.com/do-you-require-your-au-pair-to-get-a-u-s-drivers-licence/2010/03/02/celiaharquail/comment-page-1/#comment-7345 Tanja Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:33:37 +0000 http://AuPairMom.com/?p=2620#comment-7345 Our au pair was pulled over at night for not wearing her seatbelt - which is totally bogus. I am convinced she didn't get a ticket because she only had an international license. (The officer did write her name on our insurance paper which I thought was strange.) This incident was the first time I had ever considered the advantages of NOT getting a US license. Your point about insurance is a very, very good one too. WOW, I've never heard of having to give up the home country license - no WAY would I ever advise that! Our au pair was pulled over at night for not wearing her seatbelt – which is totally bogus. I am convinced she didn’t get a ticket because she only had an international license. (The officer did write her name on our insurance paper which I thought was strange.) This incident was the first time I had ever considered the advantages of NOT getting a US license. Your point about insurance is a very, very good one too. WOW, I’ve never heard of having to give up the home country license – no WAY would I ever advise that!

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]]> By: AZ HM http://AuPairMom.com/do-you-require-your-au-pair-to-get-a-u-s-drivers-licence/2010/03/02/celiaharquail/comment-page-1/#comment-7189 AZ HM Thu, 04 Mar 2010 07:03:36 +0000 http://AuPairMom.com/?p=2620#comment-7189 We do require our APs to get their state DL...it is the law in our state and is required by our insurance company. However, I think it is an important way of validating knowledge about our state laws. Until they get their DL, we practice with them to teach them the US/state driving rules (they do vary by state...so if your extension AP was driving in another state, she should still be tested in your state). Our first AP really took her time getting her DL, so I wrote into our manual that the DL needed to be obtained within the 1st 6o days and our 2nd AP respected that. Regarding the AP who is not motivated to practice...Can't you just ask her to drive EVERYTIME you get in the car together (or make times w/o kids if you don't want her driving your kids yet)...ask her to drive when you need to go to the PO, Bank, grocery store, etc...Have her drive (you ride) when you goes to her educational classes and her AP meetings. A few weeks of this and she'll build up some time behind the wheel, hopefully some confidence, and you'll be better able to assess her skills. BTW, this is a huge inconvenience to the HF....but this is what we do the first couple of months of our AP's stay --- even though they've all said they were "experienced" drivers before they arrived. At first we don't let the AP drive with our kids...but she'll ride to preschool and then after we drop off our child, she drives home, for example. Then when we feel more comfortable we'll ride while she drives with our children. Then after she gets her DL, we let her drive our kids alone. We do require our APs to get their state DL…it is the law in our state and is required by our insurance company. However, I think it is an important way of validating knowledge about our state laws. Until they get their DL, we practice with them to teach them the US/state driving rules (they do vary by state…so if your extension AP was driving in another state, she should still be tested in your state). Our first AP really took her time getting her DL, so I wrote into our manual that the DL needed to be obtained within the 1st 6o days and our 2nd AP respected that.

Regarding the AP who is not motivated to practice…Can’t you just ask her to drive EVERYTIME you get in the car together (or make times w/o kids if you don’t want her driving your kids yet)…ask her to drive when you need to go to the PO, Bank, grocery store, etc…Have her drive (you ride) when you goes to her educational classes and her AP meetings. A few weeks of this and she’ll build up some time behind the wheel, hopefully some confidence, and you’ll be better able to assess her skills. BTW, this is a huge inconvenience to the HF….but this is what we do the first couple of months of our AP’s stay — even though they’ve all said they were “experienced” drivers before they arrived. At first we don’t let the AP drive with our kids…but she’ll ride to preschool and then after we drop off our child, she drives home, for example. Then when we feel more comfortable we’ll ride while she drives with our children. Then after she gets her DL, we let her drive our kids alone.

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]]> By: Taking a computer lunch http://AuPairMom.com/do-you-require-your-au-pair-to-get-a-u-s-drivers-licence/2010/03/02/celiaharquail/comment-page-1/#comment-7186 Taking a computer lunch Thu, 04 Mar 2010 02:49:02 +0000 http://AuPairMom.com/?p=2620#comment-7186 We should have done it back in September, unfortunately. Rematch is not really an option for us. APs in-country who are special needs willing and can drive turns out to be tiny in the venn diagram of rematches. HD just said he would force the issue and require practice to see how many skills were lost in the past few weeks (this AP has a history of losing skills easily). He'd rather lose time than wait for a new AP to arrive now (it's his crunch time at work and my workplace has lost so many people we never have down time anymore). I'm a little prejudiced towards western European au pairs on the driving issue, and I must say this experience has only reinforced it. Teaching this AP has made it clear how much work we have ahead of us in 6 years when our son gets his permit! We should have done it back in September, unfortunately. Rematch is not really an option for us. APs in-country who are special needs willing and can drive turns out to be tiny in the venn diagram of rematches. HD just said he would force the issue and require practice to see how many skills were lost in the past few weeks (this AP has a history of losing skills easily). He’d rather lose time than wait for a new AP to arrive now (it’s his crunch time at work and my workplace has lost so many people we never have down time anymore).

I’m a little prejudiced towards western European au pairs on the driving issue, and I must say this experience has only reinforced it. Teaching this AP has made it clear how much work we have ahead of us in 6 years when our son gets his permit!

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]]> By: Ann from NE http://AuPairMom.com/do-you-require-your-au-pair-to-get-a-u-s-drivers-licence/2010/03/02/celiaharquail/comment-page-1/#comment-7184 Ann from NE Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:28:54 +0000 http://AuPairMom.com/?p=2620#comment-7184 Regarding the ID part, if you don't require your APs to drive (which was our case), they can get a state photo ID from the same agency that issues driver's licenses. Which is good enough for traveling around inside the U.S. In my state this is called a Liquor ID and is accepted as proof of identity, signature, and age. One needs a SS# to apply for them. Both our APs decided to get the state photo ID to get into bars and not have to carry around their passports. Regarding the ID part, if you don’t require your APs to drive (which was our case), they can get a state photo ID from the same agency that issues driver’s licenses. Which is good enough for traveling around inside the U.S. In my state this is called a Liquor ID and is accepted as proof of identity, signature, and age. One needs a SS# to apply for them. Both our APs decided to get the state photo ID to get into bars and not have to carry around their passports.

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