APIA's AAA driving course- worth it?

[Anonymous]

Has anyone used APIA's driving course? It's pretty expensive, but I'll sign up if people have found it helpful.

[Anonymous]

I posted this same question about a month or so ago. People said it wasn't really helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I posted this same question about a month or so ago. People said it wasn't really helpful.

Good! There's money I don't need to spend! Rather spend it on driving lessons anyhow.

[Anonymous]

No it is not. It is classroom-based and no practical lessons or experience. Pay for a driving evaluation instead. If you're here in DC, try Bill Barnes -- we pay $140 for four hours over two days of evaluation/instruction the first Sunday/Monday our AP is with us and it is worth every penny.

[Anonymous]

Another issue with the course is that in order to take the course, your au pair would need to arrive a day early. We've learned over time that we want our au pair to travel "with the group" because that's where some of the early bonding so crucial for friendships starts - and we want our au pair to have friends, both near to us for day to day interaction, but also in other parts of the country so she can go visit them! It's also the reason we often have our au pair take the train from New York to DC even though a flight to Dulles would be WAY more convenient for us.

Mainly I echo what 8:42 said about it being a classroom course. We have had nearly all au pairs from Europe, where the classroom/written rules aren't that different than ours. If they were to put the au pairs in an actual car and have them drive somewhere other than a parking lot, I'd reconsider. We haven't needed a driving evaluation either.

That said, if we got an au pair from South America, Thailand, China, or any other country with a different alphabet from ours, I would consider the classroom course as a familiarization then get the driving instructor.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone- the classroom thing was the first thing I thought of, too. I remember drivers ed- and besides some random amusing facts (you should check to make sure there is no snow on the top of your car...even in July) it was a waste of time.

Yep, Bill Barnes is my go-to guy as well, and I'll be throwing my money at him! Not APIA, which already gets way too much of my $$ anyhow.

[Anonymous]

No - it was a complete waste. My AP didn't pay attention.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for this helpful info!