Driving a Car

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Navigating the Roadblocks to Driving in the United States

• Driving on a foreign license.
• Getting a US driver’s license.
• Buying and registering a car.
• Renting or leasing a car.

Can I drive in the US with my foreign license?

Yes!  If you have a valid driver’s license from your home country.  Check the date stamped on your I-94 card (usually stapled to your passport).  For one year, beginning on that date, you may drive without an Indiana driver’s license, but you must carry:

• your valid license from your home country
• an international driver’s license.  This is usually an official English translation of your driver’s license.  Most visitors get their international license in their home country.  It provides an English translation of your license.
• your passport with I-94 card attached

When do I apply for an Indiana license?

You can apply for an Indiana license anytime after you arrive.  However, if you are driving on your foreign license, you should begin the process of getting an Indiana license no more than seven months after you arrive.  You must be at least l6 years of age to get a learner’s permit and 16 years of age plus 6 months in order to get a permanent license.

Where do I apply for an Indiana driver’s license?

You apply at the local branch of the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).  That address is: 1612 S. Liberty Drive, Suite A., Bloomington.  That office is about half a mile from Wal-mart and Sam’s Club.  Their telephone number is: 812-336-3018.  Visit the BMV website for their hours.

What do I do first?

Get a copy of the Indiana Driver Manual.  BMV provides copies for free.  You can print out an electronic version by going to the BMV website.  The driver manual has information about traffic laws, traffic signs, and other regulations that affect driving and owning a car in Indiana.  When you apply for a license, you must take a written test.  To pass the written test, you have to know the information in the driver manual.  After you have studied and understand the rules in the manual, you are ready to take the written test.

When I am ready for the written test, what do I have to take to the BMV?

When you have studied the Indiana Driver Manual thoroughly, take the following items to the BMV:

1. Primary Document:

   Valid Passport with Visa information and I-94 card attached.

2. Secondary Documents:

   At least two of the following items:

   1. Student ID card
   2. Bank statement with name
   3. Insurance card with name
   4. Major credit or debit card

3. Proof of a mailing address in Bloomington:

   1. Bank statement that shows name and mailing address
   2. Utility bill for mailing address
   3. Credit card bill for mailing address
4. Your social security card (with social security number).

If you are eligible for a social security number, then you cannot apply for driver’s license until you have your social security card.  The Office of International Services’ staff can help you determine whether you are eligible for a social security number, and we can explain what you have to do to get that number.  You get your social security number from the Social Security Administration, not from the BMV.

If you are not eligible to receive a social security number, you do not need the social security card.  You must explain to BMV staff that you are not eligible for a social security number.  The BMV will use the number on your I-94 card instead.

What will happen at the BMV?

You will take a number and wait.  It is usually faster to go in the middle of the month, rather than in the first or last week of the month when the office can be very busy.

When your number is called, a staff member will look over your documents.  If you do not have a social security number, the BMV will send copies of some of the documents to Indianapolis for verification.  If you have brought all the documents you need, you will then take a written test that requires you to answer fifty questions.  Each question will provide four possible answers; you must select the correct one.

If you pass the written test, then you will take a vision test.  If you need to wear glasses or contact lenses to pass the vision test, then your license will require that you wear these whenever you are driving.

If you have a social security number and have completed all the steps, BMV will issue the learner’s permit.  You will be charged $9 for this permit.  If you do not have a social security number, the BMV will send your documents and test results to Indianapolis.  You will receive a notice when you may go to get your learner’s permit.

What do I do with a Learner’s Permit?

The learner’s permit allows you to drive a car as long as an adult, 21 years old or older, with a permanent driver’s license, is in the front seat of the car with you.

I have obtained my learner’s permit.  When can I get my license?

You must wait for 60 days after you get your learner’s permit before you can apply for your permanent license.

After 60 days, if you have a social security number, then you can return to the BMV with your documents and apply for a road test.

If you do not have a social security number:

You will get a notice mailed to you.  The notice will tell you whether the documents you submitted for the learner’s permit have been accepted.  If they have not been accepted, you should follow the directions in the letter.

If 60 days have passed and if you have received a notice that your documents are acceptable and if you are ready to take a road test to show how well you drive, then go to the BMV again and apply to get your permanent license.  They will follow the same procedure that you followed when your received your learner’s permit.  When staff have verified and approved these copies, BMV will send you a notice.  You must have this notice before you can get your license.

When you have the notice and when you have waited 60 days, go back to the BMV and make an appointment for a driving test.  Usually, you cannot get an appointment for the same day, so you will have to come back another day.

What does one do for a driving test?

Go to BMV at your appointment time.  Be on time or you may have to make another appointment.  You must have a car with a valid license plate to drive for the test (BMV does not provide a vehicle for the test).  An official licensed driving examiner will sit in the passenger seat for the test.  He or she will ask you to drive and tell you in which direction to go, where to turn, park, etc.  The examiner will decide if you can handle the car safely (including parking), and if you know and obey driving rules.  If you violate even one driving rule, you will fail the test.  The driver manual describes this test.  The driving test usually lasts for only l0 to l5 minutes.

If you pass the driver’s test, the BMV will photograph you and collect some additional information, and a staff member will prepare your license.  You can leave with your valid Indiana driver’s license.

Other Rules of the Road

Can I buy a car?

You can buy a car if you have the money.  If you have a permanent driver’s license, and buy your car from a car dealer, the car dealer will give you a temporary license plate.  That plate is good for a maximum of 30 days.  You must register the car to get a new plate before the 30 days expires.

You must also show proof of automobile insurance coverage.  It is against the law to drive a car without having insurance.  Check the local yellow pages in the telephone book under insurance.  You will find many companies listed and the types of insurance they offer.  Call to set up an appointment with an insurance agent to give them all the necessary information about your car.

When you have done all of the above, go to the BMV. Be sure to bring:

• Bill of Sale:

  This is a receipt that the car dealer gives you when you pay for the car.

• Title and Registration Card:

  When you buy a car, the dealer sends information to BMV in Indianapolis.  They send you title to the car as well as a registration card.  If you have financed the car through a local bank, the title to the car will go to the lending institution, not to you.  However, you will have a registration card.

• Proof of Auto Insurance:

  You must have an auto insurance card or letter to verify that you have coverage on your automobile.

• Social Security Card:

  If you do not have a social security card, take all your immigration documents including your passport and I-94.

When you get to BMV, take a number and when you are called, tell the staff member that you want to get a license plate (the same thing as registering a car).

They will review your documents.  You will have to pay a fee usually between $26 and $1000—depending on the price you pay for your car and the model year of the car.

What if I need to rent a car for just a few days?

If you do not plan to buy a car and would like to have one for just a few days or weeks to go somewhere, you need to contact a car rental agency.  As long as you can prove that you are a full-time student, are at least 25 years or older, and have a valid US or foreign driver’s license with a picture ID, you are usually eligible to rent a car.  You must purchase full automobile coverage for the vehicle either from an insurance agent, or from the car rental agency from whom you have rented the car.*

Can I lease a car for the whole time I am here?

Yes.  If you are going to need a car for several months or even a year or more, but do not want to buy one, you can lease an automobile from a new car dealership.  You will have to bring a letter from IU saying you are a full time student, your I-20 or DS-2019 indicating your anticipated length of stay here at IU, and your valid US or foreign driver’s license showing your picture ID.  You will also have to purchase full coverage insurance on the car you intend to lease.*

* Note: The information given is general.  Different rental agencies and car dealerships may have other requirements.  Be sure to call and check with them once you have decided on which agency or dealership you would like to rent or lease from.

Final Notes

If you lose your learner’s permit, then you must start from the very beginning and bring in all your documents again.

If you lose your permanent license, you must start all over again with the learner’s permit.

If your license or permit is taken from you by a police officer, then you may have to wait awhile before being allowed to reapply.  Again, you would start with the necessary documentation for a learner’s permit.