I would like to make some important points too.
Au pairs always need to be informed about the family’s rules for sharing the family car, or for the separate ‘au pair car’. Different families have different rules. As the au pair, you need to make sure that your family gives you a list of rules regarding the car, and every other aspect of living together with your host family as well. If your host family does not have written car rules, then please ask for them, preferrably in writing.
It is very important that you know the curfew for the car, how far you can drive the car in terms of miles per day/week; is only driving around down is OK; or can you go to the next town 50 or more miles away; what about gas – who pays what – au pair’s personal use, driving the kids around; what happens in case of an accident; who pays deductible if accident occurs during ‘work time’ or during ‘off time’.
It is true that host families don’t want to feel like they are being taken advantage off. So make sure that you don’t use the family car excessively. That can easily cause stress in an otherwise good host family / au pair relationship. The car is a very common source of a relationship turning bad.
So make sure that you have a complete understanding of what is acceptable to your host family regarding the use of the car.

Marie
Lead Community Counselor
http://www.aupairselectionadvice.net