Are you in search of an Au Pair who can drive?  Do you need your Au Pair to use your vehicle to shuttle kids from various activities, school and playdates?  One of the benefits of an Au Pair over a live-in caregiver is that most Au Pairs have drivers licenses from their home countries.  A number of European countries have agreements with Canadian provinces offering an exchange program permitting Au Pairs to exchange their foreign licences for provincial licences upon their arrival in Canada.  Here are some things to thing about when considering an Au Pair who drives or handing over your car keys to your Au Pair in Canada:

Responsibilities and Rules

If you require your Au Pair to drive, make sure your Au pair embraces this responsibility.  This is something you need to talk with your Au Pair about during your interviewing process.  You should also include a component in your contract or Handbook on driving, expectations and rules.  Consider speaking with your Au Pair about things like texting and driving, using the GPS, drinking and driving, curfew etc…  If you do not want your Au Pair driving her friends home from downtown or elsewhere at 2 in the morning you need to set clear boundaries, after all, you want to keep your Au Pair safe and your insurance rates down!

Many Au Pairs don’t want the responsibility of driving your vehicles, so you need to be very clear if driving is in your expectations and the type of driving you require.  Driving within your community is one thing but if you require your Au Pair to drive between municipalities or drive on busy highways be honest with your Au Pair.

Speak with your Au Pair about who pays for gas.  How are you going to manage filling the tank?  Will the use of the car be for the Au Pair’s personal use, only for shuttling kids or both?  You don’t want your Au Pair disappearing for the weekend with the family vehicle (unbeknownst to you) because she misunderstood the parameters.  Be clear and spell it out for your Au Pair.  We preach good communication at Canadian Au Pair Solutions.  Good communication solves most problems between families and Au Pairs.

Judging your Au Pair’s Abilities Behind the Wheel

When you are interviewing your Au Pair ask her about her experience driving.  Most European countries (Germany and Ireland for example) have excellent licensing programs and have no tolerance for driving infractions. In other words, if you screw up, you lose your licence.  Ask your Au Pair if she has ever had her licence revoked.  Ask her if she will send you a driver’s abstract.  Ask your Au Pair if she has experience driving in inclement weather similar to what she would be driving in here.  Ask her about her knowledge of driving in Canada.  If she is from the UK or Australia, ask her is she would feel comfortable driving on the opposite side of the road… this in itself may make your Au Pair nervous.  Can she drive a car with an automatic or standard transmission?  Remember also that the vehicles in most European countries are MUCH smaller than our North American SUV’s, minivans and trucks

Not only will your Au Pair be responsible for driving safely in your car, but she will also be responsible for the occupants of your vehicle, your children. This is a huge responsibility and you want to be 100% sure that she is able and willing to take this on.  When your Au Pair arrives in Canada, you will need to take her out driving and assess her skills yourself.  You may even want to get her a few driving lessons in your community just to make sure she is comfortable driving in Canada, understands the rules of the road and is competent.

Provincial Legislation

Every province has different legislation when it comes to licensing.  If your Au Pair is from a Commonwealth country or Europe, your province MAY have an exchange program enabling your Au Pair to trade in her country’s licence for a Provincial license.  In this case most provinces require the Au Pair to present proof she has had a licence for longer than two years.  If your Au Pair is a new driver, they will likely have restrictions in Canada based on her experience.  These restrictions may include not carrying passengers which may be problematic if you require her to transport your kids.  Make sure you do your homework before hiring your Au Pair and know the regulations in your province.  More information on this topic is available through a membership with us.

How long can your Au Pair drive as a “visitor” using her home country’s licence?  Every province is different.  International Drivers Permits are useful but do not allow your Au Pair to drive indefinitely.  It is important to know that once your Au Pair has her Visa and is legally working for you, they are no longer classified as a “visitor” and rather a temporary resident.  Check with your province’s licensing authority regarding restrictions.

Insurance

You will need to notify your insurance provider if your Au Pair is going to be driving your vehicles.  Your rates will change and it is necessary to know your Au Pair’s driving history and years of experience when providing information to your insurance broker.

“Road sense is the offspring of courtesy and the parent of safety.” 

~Australian Traffic Rule, quoted in Quotations for Special Occasions by Maud van Buren

Canadian Au Pair Solutions