Driving in the USA

On many campuses in the USA , it is easy to get around without a car (automobile). Alternatives are bus, bicycle, walking, riding with friends, or taxi (taxis are usually expensive).

 

Because of the relative ease of obtaining a driver’s license in the USA , and the low cost of used cars, international students sometimes do not consider the total cost of owning a car. Be sure to plan carefully if you do decide to purchase and operate a car in the USA .

 

Owning a car can be very expensive. Often used cars can be purchased at relative low cost, but the costs of repair and maintenance, and especially the required auto insurance can be high. There are also expenses for fuel, auto registration, license fees, parking, and perhaps taxes.

 

It’s good to wait to see if you really need to purchase a car. And get the advice of others about others ways of getting around.

 

How do I learn to drive in the USA ?

The best way is to take driving school classes with a trained driving instructor. If you take driving classes, the amount you save on your car insurance may equal or exceed the cost of the class. Plus the skills you learn may save you from an expensive or deadly accident.

 

An alternative is to ask a friend with a license to teach you.

 

If you already have a valid driver’s license from your home country, most states allow you to drive for up to one year, before getting a license in that state. An International driving license is also valid for just one year in the USA .

 

WARNING: DO NOT DRIVE AT ALL UNTIL YOU HAVE ARRANGED FOR LIABILITY INSURANCE. If you have an accident and have no insurance, the penalties can be severe; you can be forced to end your studies or be imprisoned.

 

Obtaining a driver’s license

Each state in the USA issues it’s own driver’s license. This license is valid in every other state, unless you move to another state, at which time you usually have one year to obtain that state’s driving license. Some states require you to obtain their driving license within a shorter period, such as within 90 days. Check with your state’s licensing authorities for the requirements.

 

It’s good to get a state license as soon as possible, since traffic laws are different from country to country and state to state.

 

If your home country driver’s license is not in English, you will need to obtain an official translation. Information about this can usually be obtained at the Department of Transportation of the state you live in.

 

Many states require that you be at least 18 years old. The age requirements vary from state to state.

 

The Driver’s License exam

Free booklets with driving laws and tips (“Rules of the Road”) are usually available at no charge from the Department of Transportation examination office, or from a motor club. You can find this office by looking in the telephone book.

 

The exam will consist of a written test to see if you understand the driving laws, a vision test, and a practical test of your driving abilities. The written test is usually easy if you have studied the free driving booklet.

 

For the practical driving test, you will need to provide a car in safe working condition. An examiner will make sure you know how to operate your car’s lights, wipers, horn, turn signals, warning lights and brake lights, then sit with you in the car and give you instructions. If during the driving test you break laws or have an accident, you will fail. The examiner will observe how you drive, and ask you to perform several maneuvers, such as turns, parking, lane changes, and other driving skills. The examiner will not ask you to do anything that is against the law.

 

For the exam, you will need to provide identification, proof of your age (your passport is usually fine, or if you have it, a certified copy of your birth certificate), a driver’s license (if you already have one from another state or country) or a learner’s permit, and usually you will need to provide your social security number. There is a fee for the exam.

 

If you fail the exam, you will need someone who can drive you home, because you will not be permitted to drive. You will be allowed to retake the exam after a waiting period.

 

Should I buy an automobile?

If you do decide to purchase a car, get the advice of fellow students who own cars and have been at your school for a year or so. Remember that in addition to the cost of the car, there are expenses for repairs and upkeep, fuel and oil, insurance, parking, license fees and possibly taxes. It may be more inexpensive to live close to campus and walk, ride a bicycle or take the bus.

 

How do I buy an automobile?

You can purchase a used car from an individual or from an auto dealer. If you purchase from an individual (a friend, fellow student), the price will usually be lower than from a dealer, but you have a greater risk of buying a car with defects.

 

A dealer usually has repaired major defects, and offers a warranty of 30-90 days, and a year to three years on new cars. A car purchased from an individual will have no warranty, and may have defects the seller does not tell you about.

 

You can buy a new car from a dealer. You can find new car dealers by looking in the “Yellow Pages” of the telephone book under “Automobiles-New.” Dealers also sell used cars.

 

You may find cars for sale advertised in the newspaper, notices posted on bulletin boards, on the internet, or hear about cars for sale by word of mouth.

 

Shop around to find the kind of car you really want at a price you can afford. Prices vary greatly. You can get an idea of prices of cars by looking in books at the library, a bookstore, and sometimes a bank. These prices are only guidelines; the actual price you will pay may be quite different based on the quality of the car, the added options, any damage, the popularity of that type of car and the mileage.

 

Buying a used auto

Take someone along with you who is familiar with cars, who will b able to examine he used car for defects which may be hidden.

 

Be sure to take a test drive before you purchase the car. It is wise to take it to a shop so that a trained mechanic can inspect the car and warn you of defects that may be expensive to fix. This check will cost you some money, but save you from expensive surprises later.

 

You can find approximate values of used cars in the “Blue Book” at a public library or a bookstore. It’s wise to have an idea beforehand of what the car may be worth, based on its make, model, year, extras and mileage. Usually a used car with more than 40,000 miles is due for major repairs.

 

Usually the price given is higher than the seller is really expecting, so you can negotiate a lower price. Be willing to get up and walk away if the seller does not meet your price.

 

Be sure you understand everything in the purchase contract before you sign it. Bring a friend along who can help you.

 

The seller must sign over to you a “certificate of title” when you buy the car. Make sure you register the car in your own name immediately after purchasing it, and make sure you obtain liability insurance.

 

You will need to pay a fee for the registration title, taxes for the sale, and a fee for license plates.

 

Buying a new auto

Usually the posted price is higher than the amount the dealer is willing to accept, so you can negotiate a lower price. If the dealer is not willing to lower the price, ask if there are any “dealer incentives” or “discounts” that have been overlooked, or “rebates” that can be applied. Check more than one dealer, because prices can vary hundreds of dollars. Be willing to get up and walk away if the dealer does not meet your price. They are usually willing to lower the price if they know you are ready to buy.

 

Be careful about things the dealer wishes to “add-on” to the price. Many extras cost twice as much from a dealer than from another source, and some things may not actually be necessary or what you want, like special paint, special floor mats, special tires and such things.

 

You should be able to order the car exactly the way you want it, with things such as a radio, cassette player, air conditioning, the color you like, and other add-ons you want.

 

Be sure that each thing is listed correctly with the price in the contract before you sign it. And be sure you understand everything in the purchase contract before you sign it. Bring a friend along who can help you.

 

When you purchase a new car from a dealer, you will receive a “certificate of ownership.” Make sure you register the car immediately after the purchase, and obtain liability insurance.

 

You will need to pay a fee for the registration title, taxes for the sale, and a fee for license plates.

 

Borrowing someone else's car

If you borrow someone else's car to drive, you must have a valid driving license, and be sure that either you or the car owner has liability insurance.

 

Financing the purchase of an auto

Financing (paying for the car) may be obtained through the dealer, a bank or credit union. Often the rates offered by a bank are the lowest, but it pays to check all sources.

 

Be sure you understand everything in the loan contract before you sign it. Bring a friend along who can help you.

 

Registration of your auto

If you already own an auto and bring it from another state, you will need to register your car with the state where you live, usually within 90 days. Registration fees vary from state to state. Some states base fees on the type or age of the car, the horsepower of the engine, or the value. The fees usually must be paid every year.

 

Safety and seat belt laws

The states have seat belt laws requiring all passengers and the driver to wear seat belts at all times. This is an important factor of safety. Often persons who do not wear seat belts are killed or seriously injured in accidents.

 

Child safety in the car

Small children must be strapped into an approved child safety seat, and should be taught to use seat belts at all times. The safest place for children is in the back seat. If children are not properly belted into the car, you could be fined, or your child may suffer serious injury or death in an accident.

 

Sometimes approved child safety seats are available for rental. Check with your friends or insurance company.

 

Car registration and vehicle license

You will need to register your car and obtain a vehicle license, usually immediately after purchasing your car. If you brought a car from another state, you must register your car within a certain amount of time. You can get information from your state's Department of Transportation.

 

Parking

Sometimes parking is provided with your rental agreement, but often there is an extra charge for parking. In many university areas, parking is difficult and it can be expensive. Some cities limit the amount of time a car can be parked on the street overnight, or require the purchase of special parking permit in order to park on the street.

 

Some cities have special regulations that restrict parking on streets during the winter, due to the need for snow removal. You car might be towed away by the city, or "plowed in" with snow, making it difficult to move. So make sure you understand parking regulations, especially in winter.

 

If you receive a parking ticket, be sure to pay it as soon as possible. If you wait, the amount of the fine will increase.

 

Be sure to lock your car when you leave it. Some states require that you lock your car.

 

What about car insurance?

Most states require by law that you have liability insurance before you drive. Liability insurance IS VERY IMPORTANT! It protects you from expensive charges should you have an accident and injure another person or their property. If you do not have insurance, you may be fined or have to go to court. You can lose your driving privilege and your car. You may be required to post $60,000 or more to cover the possibility of a judgement against you.

 

You can contact your state's Department of Transportation to receive information on the amount of liability insurance required by law.

 

In addition to liability insurance, you may wish to get collision insurance, which covers damage that might occur to your car if you have an accident (important if your car is worth a lot of money). Usually there is an amount called "deductible," which is the amount you must pay (usually around $250) in case of accident in which you are at fault. The insurance company pays all of the rest, up to the limits stated in your insurance policy. The higher the deductible amount, the lower the cost of the insurance.

 

You can also get comprehensive insurance, which covers your car if it is damaged or stolen, medical insurance which pays medical bills in an accident, insurance for road service and towing, uninsured motorists, underinsured motorists, car rental, and many other kinds of insurance. An insurance agent can help you determine what you need.

 

Insurance may be expensive, but it is much less than what you will have to pay if you have an accident and injure someone or their property, you or your friend's car, or if your car is damaged or stolen.

 

To find an insurance agent, look in the Yellow Pages of the telephone book under "Insurance." The agent will be able to help you determine the insurance you need and how much it will cost. You can shop around to find the lowest rates. Ask a friend to recommend an agent or insurance company.

 

Insurance rates ("premiums") are based on your driving record and experience, your age, location, the value and type of car you have, and the kind and amount of insurance coverage you choose.

 

Payments for the insurance usually can be made monthly, every six months or yearly. The rates are based on your driving experience and driving record. If you are a new driver, the rates will be considerably higher. As you gain experience and have no accidents or traffic violations, the rates will become cheaper. The rates for good driving may be lowered as often as every six months to two years.

 

Driving in winter

If you live where the climate becomes very cold in winter, be sure to "winterize" your car before the cold weather comes. This includes checking to be sure that the engine coolant and the window washer fluid will not freeze in cold weather, that you have tires that are rated "M&S" for "mud and snow, or have special snow tires, and that you have an ice scrapper to clear your windows when they freeze over.

 

You should also check to be sure your heater and defroster, windshield wipers and all lights are in good working order.

 

You may also wish to carry a small can of de-ice spray, in case your locks freeze shut, an emergency blanket, a small shovel to help remove snow, rock salt or cat litter to put under the wheels to help with traction in slippery conditions, and some emergency high-energy food in case you become stranded.

 

If you do become stuck or stranded, stay in your car to stay warm until help arrives, unless you are in a dangerous position. Do not run the motor except once in a while to keep slightly warm, because poisonous gasses from the motor can kill you.

 

Rain, ice, sleet, and snow make driving much more dangerous. Before driving under such conditions, it is good to gain experience. A friend or driving school can help you become familiar with driving in winter conditions. It may be good to practice in a large empty parking lot after the first snowfall (watch out for light posts and other cars!)

 

Be especially careful of ice in shady areas, under or on bridges.

 

Look in your car's instruction manual for special winter suggestions.

 

If you are traveling far, you can telephone 1-800-762-3947 for information about road conditions anywhere in the USA , or you can check the weather on the internet.

 

Driving and drinking

Never attempt to drive after drinking alcohol or using drugs. Drivers who have been drinking cause most accidents. It is also not permitted to have containers that contain alcoholic drink that are open in your car.

 

Motor Clubs

There are organizations that provide roadside assistance and towing, maps, and information about travel to members. There is an annual fee for membership. Some of these services may be available through your insurance company (such as roadside assistance and towing) at a lower cost.