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Nanny Driving Issues:

Do we have to buy another car for Nanny to use ?

Do we pay for Nanny's car insurance ?

Should a prospective Nanny take a driving test ?

Does Nanny get personal use of the family car ?

If Nanny uses her own car, do we pay for gas?

Should I consider a Nanny who doesn't drive ?

The following questions were submitted in survey form to Parents and Nannies. Their answers (preceded by ~) will provide you with some great advice.

Do we have to buy another car for Nanny to use ?

~ If she does not have one or is not willing to use hers and you require her to drive the kids places, yes. You need to buy one.

~ We bought another car. However, we used the new car and provided one of our older cars to the nanny.

~ Some nannies, especially live-out, come equipped with their own cars.

~ I believe that is more an issue for parents with live-in nannies. In my experience, live-out nannies are supporting themselves with all the necessities, i.e. residence, transportation, etc. If you have a nanny without a car, having an extra car for her to use is probably a good idea. I personally could not consider a nanny without her own car. We don't want to pay for a 3rd car nor do we have anywhere to park it.

~When I was a live-out nanny, I used my own car to transport the baby. They rarely asked me to run errands so it was basically so I could get out and go to the park etc.. This was about 12 years ago so the scary thing was I was driving a VW Bug at the time and the baby sat in the front seat. Times have certainly changed.

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Do we pay for Nanny's car insurance?

~ We pay for the car insurance on our car. This can be a major contributor to the cost of the nanny if she has a poor driving record.

~ Have too? No. Should you? Probably. It could be a good negotiating tactic. Maybe a lower weekly salary and you pay her insurance?

~ I believe that is negotiable. Before hiring someone, you should know exactly how much you can pay in salary and benefits. If insurance is something the nanny desires, it should be negotiated into the salary offer.

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Should a prospective nanny take a "driving test" ?

~ I never had this opportunity since none of our au pairs or nannies lived near us. We always gave then a driving check out once they arrived to make sure we and they were comfortable with her driving the car. One thing I did do was have my insurance company run a DMV check on them prior to me offering them a job.

~ I've heard of people doing this but I personally didn't do it. I did have a drivers license background check done on our nanny before we hired her. I would not have hired her if her driving record were bad. I would ask how comfortable you are with this person driving your children around.

~ Hmm, depends. If you feel the need, do it. I recommend trusting your instincts. Of course you should also get a driving history (can be obtained by the nanny through a service or with her permission you can do it)

~ I didn't do a formal driving test, however, the first time out in the car I went with her. If there had been any concerns I would have addressed them then. It would not be a bad idea to do a driving test. I also think you should feel comfortable with the nanny's car -- size, state of repair, etc.

~ I was planning on getting a driving record but I didn't think of taking them on a driving test. I guess that could be a good idea but I'm a skeptical person and I would wonder if the person was just on her best behavior for my sake. I would however insist that she NOT drive and talk on a cell phone at the same time.

~ I have to comment that I've had many jobs (even when I was 18) and have never had a parent even want to drive w/ me on the first day. I think that I wouldn't have minded though and would do a drive around w/ my own nanny.

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Does Nanny get personal use of the family car? If so, are there ground rules I should consider?

~ When the nanny has used our car for personnel use we have limited the area that she can take the car. We have also allowed limited out of town trips.

~ If she does not have one and you require her to drive AND she lives in, I say yes. She should be allowed to use it for personal use. You do want her to have a life outside your family, no? A happy nanny is a good nanny. I do believe in rules - to some extent. No drinking while driving. Tell me where you are going (in case the nanny disappears or is injured you have a general idea of where she went). Also, set a range of travel. This means the nanny can drive the personal car within 50 miles of your home without your knowledge or permission, anything more requires notification.

~ We don't have a "family car". We are a 2 car family and my husband and I work in opposite directions. We must use our cars to get back and forth to work. But if we could afford a 3rd car then yes, I do think the nanny should use it. Since it would be our personal car, on our policy, there would definitely be rules associated with the responsibility of driving it. I would ask that no one other than her and our children ride in the car and that no one ever drive it besides her. If she were a live-in and used it frequently both on and off duty, I'd ask that she fill the tank sometimes as well.

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If Nanny uses her own car, do we pay for gas?

~ Yes. Pay at the federal rate -- currently about 32 cents per mile.

~ I do think a nanny should be compensated for the use of her car. We leave $15 petty cash per week for outings, more if she plans more than her regular outings.

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Should I consider a Nanny who doesn't drive ?

~That depends on your location and how much you want your child(ren) to get away from the house. Where I live, there is nothing other than our neighborhood pool within walking distance. Cars are an absolute must or our nanny and children would be stuck at home all day 5 days a week. I consider driving to be a definite requirement for our nanny position.

~.From my personal experience, driving is something that is necessary, if not paramount in a nanny position. Where do I drive in a days time? to school, from school, to pick up diapers etc., to the park, to the museum, to the zoo (these are not all in one day, but on a day-to-day basis), even the grocery store is a form of stimulation for your little girl at this age.

~ I once had to stay home every day with a newborn for 6 weeks straight I was climbing the walls. I guess that it would probably depend on the actual nanny, but I would rather my child be more active than less.

~ I think this is very risky. In an emergency, you might need to get the child to a hospital or doctor quickly. It also limits the amount of household assistance the Nanny can provide. My nanny is always volunteering to go drop stuff off or pick it up. A real bonus! In addition, I think kids need lots of stimulus. Unless you live in an area with great public transportation, how with the Nanny take the kids out and about?

~ Only if you live a big city with lots of public transportation.

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