Driving experiences vary widely between individual Au Pair applicants. Driving experience is detailed on the Au Pair’s application and is typically specific to driving in the Au Pair’s home country and not specific to driving in the United States.

Some factors which may affect your Au Pair's adjustment to driving in the U.S. include:

• Transmission type - Manual transmissions are common outside the U.S. while most cars in the U.S. have automatic transmissions.
• Car size - Vehicles are typically much larger in the U.S. than in other countries. Au Pairs driving SUVs who only have experience in smaller vehicles may need more time adjusting.
• Bi-directional traffic rules - Although most Au Pairs live in right-hand traffic countries, there are still some Au Pairs who have experience only driving on the left-hand side of the road. Au Pairs from left-hand traffic countries may need more time adjusting.
• Driving rules and laws - Driving rules and laws can widely differ between an Au Pair’s home country and the U.S. Au Pairs who have experience driving in countries with few rules and regulations may need more time adjusting to the laws of the U.S.

Our International Agencies do everything possible to best prepare Au Pairs for driving in the U.S. from reviewing basic signs and rules to providing state DMV manuals to actual behind-the-wheel courses. Driving basics are also reviewed as part of our New York Introductory Workshop. Regardless of your Au Pair’s experience and preparation you can expect some sort of adjustment period while your Au Pair learns to drive in your local area.