Transportation Tips Hat

The place you go to school greatly affects how you get around to different locations all over the country. While suburban or rural campuses might need a car, cities usually have reliable public transportation. Here's how to make sense of your options.

Getting a Driver License in the United States.

Why Purchase One?

It serves dual purposes. It acts as a primary mode of identification and a driver’s license.

It’s easier than always having to carry your passport.

How-To :

Visit the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) of your state.

Provide all necessary documents such as the passport, F-1 visa, the I-20, I-94, and proof of residency, such as a utility bill or a lease.

Complete a written knowledge and vision test.

Pass a road skills test (an appointment may be necessary).

For example, a student in Texas got a driver license within 2 months of arriving. It was also very helpful in the processing of opening a bank account among other things.

Buying a Vehicle.

When It Makes Sense:

You live in quiet suburban or small town areas with poor public transportation options.

You need to go off campus for work, internships, or grocery shopping.

Pros: Freedom and flexibility.

Cons: Large upfront cost, constant upkeep, and insurance paid every month (especially for students studying abroad).

Suggested Actions

Have private dealers or private market sellers quality assurance performs on a vehicle prior to the purchase.

As a novice operator, the estimated insurance price is set between $100 to $200 a month.

Specific states require vehicle safety and emissions assessments.

Public Transport

US cities which has best public transports , San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, New York.

There is light rail transit, buses, and subways. Many colleges and universities offer semester public transport passes.

A college student residing in Boston saved more than $50 in a month by purchasing a student ‘Charlie Card’ for the subway, rather than paying for regular passes.

Apps: Real time schedules for or on public transit apps or google maps.

Other Alternatives

Biking: Used bikes can be conveniently purchased on Facebook Marketplace. Other than that, a lot of college or university campuses provide bike rentals.

Cheap and popular ride services do include Uber and Lyft, however using them for long periods can lead to considerable expenses.

Carpooling: Riders can pair themselves together with students via university public boards.

Professional Opinion and Suggestions

Before making any final decisions, be sure to confirm with the international office or students who are from your city if it is normal to purchase a vehicle there.

Duration under a year: If you are looking to stay in the USA for under a year, the combination of public transport and Uber or Lyft is likely to be cheaper than buying a car.

Staying longer than two years in one place means getting a reliable used car is a good option.

Keep your ID or Driver's license handy at all times as well as learn at least the basics of the traffic laws as driving customs changes from one state to the other.

As a rule of thumb,
Big cities have efficient public transport.
In the country and suburbs, you are more likely to use a car.