DRIVING IN THE U.S.

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DRIVING IN THE U.S.
SEMINAR
Slutzker Center for International Services
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OBTAINING A New York State DRIVER'S
LICENSE/LEARNER PERMIT

Note Individuals with an immigration designation
of D/S (duration of status) need to have an
immigration document (i.e. I-20 or DS-2019) that
is valid at least 6 months into the future as one
of their forms of identification. Look at the
expiration date of your I-20 or DS-2019 must
have 6 more months remaining!
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OBTAINING A New York State DRIVER'S LICENSE

• Do I need a US Drivers license to drive in the
  US?
•  
• You may drive legally in New York if you have a
  valid foreign drivers license and a certified
  translation of the license or a current
  International Driving Permit (issued for one year
  only)  
• International Driving Permit is not a drivers
  license
• Need to have Foreign DL and international driving
  permit to rent a car
• You do not need to apply for a NYS drivers
  license if your foreign drivers license is valid
  and you have no intention to reside permanently
  in New York State.

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OBTAINING A New York State DRIVER'S LICENSE/
PERMIT/STATE ID

• It is advisable to consider obtaining a New York
  State drivers license
• help to avoid problems if you are stopped for a
  traffic violation
• many car insurance companies will not insure your
  vehicle

New Driver obtain NYS Learners Permit
1. Apply for a learner permit. Pay the
application fee and the drivers license
fee and fill out Form MV 44 One application
form/ fee  18½ to 21 - 47.50 - 50.00 21 and
older - 42.50 - 47.50 
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How to get a NYS Learners Permit
2. Pass the vision test Take a vision test
at the DMV office, or bring a valid form MV-619
(Eye Test Report) completed by an eye-care
professional. The form can be downloaded from the
following site http//www.nysdmv.com/forms/mv619.
pdf       3. Pass the written test No
appointment is needed. You can prepare for the
written test by studying the Drivers Manual and
Study Guide http//www.nysdmv.com/dmanual/default
.html. There is no limit on the number of
times you can attempt to pass the test at no
additional fees. Exception You are not
required to take the written test if you have
form MV-285 (Driver Education Student Certificate
of Completion)      4. Receive your permit and
practice for your road test
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How to get a NYS Learners Permit

• Note If you have a learner permit but do not
  have a valid foreign drivers license you must
  have a supervising driver while you are operating
  the vehicle
• The supervising driver must be age 21 or over and
  must have a valid drivers license to operate the
  vehicle that you drive.

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How to get a NYS Drivers license
5. Take a driver education course or DMV-approved
5-hour pre-licensing course. You can look in the
telephone directory under "Driving Instruction."
  6. Use your driver education certificate or
pre-licensing course certificate to make an
appointment for your road test by phone or
on-line http//www.nysdmv.com/rtphone.htm. You
must also show the certificate to the road test
examiner on the day of your road test.   7. Pass
your road test and receive your NYS drivers
license. 8. Dont show up to the test alone! If
you did not pass, you can schedule another road
test. If you do not pass the second road test,
you must pay a 10 fee to take two more road
tests.
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• If you have a drivers license from any nation
  except Canada
• follow the steps for new drivers (Part I
  Learner Permit)
• surrender your foreign drivers license to the
  DMV road test examiner
• The local DMV office will destroy your foreign
  drivers license the next day need a request in
  writing
• If you have a valid drivers license from Canada
  or Puerto Rico
• you dont need to take a driving course or a road
  test
• your licenses are transferable

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Identification Documents to Obtain New York State
DRIVER'S LICENSE/ PERMIT/STATE ID

• Note Individuals with an immigration designation
  of D/S (duration of status) need to have an
  immigration document (i.e. I-20 or DS-2019) that
  is valid at least 6 months into the future as one
  of their forms of identification.
• Look at the expiration date of your I-20 or
  DS-2019 must have 6 more months remaining!
• In addition, the document must have been issued
  for a period of at least 12 months.
• Present documents that
• count for 4 points and your Social Security card
  (a total of 6 points)
• Or documents that count for 6 points and the SSA
  letter if you cannot obtain a Social Security
  card

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Acceptable documents for proof of identity
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Acceptable documents for proof of identity

• If you do not have a Social Security Number see
  handout p.5
• Go to the Social Security Administration to
  request a letter for the DMV
• Bring the letter to the DMV within 30 days of
  issuance

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Acceptable documents for proof of identity
OPT/Academic Training

• Present a new I-20 reflecting the OPT approval
  to the DMV officer. If you apply before the
  completion of your studies, DMV will consider
  your application based on the OPT end date on
  your I-20.
• However, if you apply while on OPT, the DMV will
  not consider your application unless you present
  a valid EAD card.
• The visitor status expiration date placed on
  your drivers license will then reflect the end
  date on your EAD card.
• Students in J-1 status undertaking academic
  training will need to present an updated DS-2019
  indicating a period of approved academic
  training.

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OWNING A CAR IN THE U.S.

• A NEW OR USED CAR?
• BUYING A USED CAR
• Review the latest auto issues of Consumer Reports
  
• The Kelly Blue Book
• www.cars.com
• LEASING A CAR

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SEVERAL ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS

• When buying from an individual, pay no cash until
  you have obtained a title.
• Try to find a car that has had a special
  rubberized undercoating treatment, available in
  this part of the United States. During the
  winter, salt is put on the roads to melt the
  snow, and cars that are not treated tend to have
  major rusting problems.
• Check the guarantee make sure you know what is
  and what is not covered and compare dealers'
  guarantees.
• Bargain don't assume the listed price is the one
  you must pay.
• Once you have found one or more cars that
  interest you and are in your price range, call
  the Better Business Bureau and ask them for
  information about the dependability of the
  automobile dealerships.

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RENTING A CAR

• In order to rent a car as a foreign visitor, you
  will
• Need an international driver's license or a
  country license and an international permit
• Be asked to pay in advance a portion, if not all,
  of the anticipated costs
• Be required to pay with cash, with a check from a
  United States bank, or with a major credit card.
  Most companies will require a major credit card.
• A modest additional charge will cover your
  insurance.
• Need to be 25 years or older (21 for some
  dealers).
• Prices vary across different companies.

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RENTING A CAR
Listing of several car rental companies Enterpris
ewww.enterprise.com Budgetwww.budget.com Aviswww.a
vis.com Dollarwww.dollar.com Thriftywww.thrifty.co
m Nationalwww.nationalcar.com Hertzwww.hertz.com
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STEPS TO FOLLOW AFTER BUYING A CAR

• Step 1 OBTAIN A CAR TITLE
• When you purchase a vehicle, make sure to obtain
  a proof of ownership.
• If you purchase a car from an automobile dealer,
  they have to provide you with a proof of
  ownership. Most NYS automobile dealers send the
  application for your vehicle registration and
  title certificate to the DMV (they may charge a
  fee for this service). 
• If you purchase a used car from an individual,
  the proof of ownership is the TITLE certificate.
• Obtain the signed copy of the title from the
  owner
• Make sure the owner does not have a lien on the
  car (owe money).
• The front of the title will specify if there
  is a lien or if the lien has been satisfied.
• Pay no money before the title is signed.
• Obtain a receipt for the purchase.

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Step 2 OBTAIN INSURANCE IN NEW YORK STATE

• Every motor vehicle registered in New York State
  (NYS) must have at least liability insurance -
  for accident-related payments to someone other
  than yourself.
• Auto insurance can be costly
• male and under 25 years of age
• new driver (holding your license for less than
  3 years) must pay a 20 surcharge on your base
  insurance rate.
• While contacting a particular insurance company,
  inquire if it is authorized to do business in New
  York State.

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NECESSARY DOCUMENTS TO OBTAIN INSURANCE

• Drivers license - for everyone you want listed
  on your car insurance documents.
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
• A cars vehicle identification number is the
  identifying 17-digit code for your SPECIFIC
  automobile.
• You can find the VIN on your vehicle registration
  card and on current car insurance documents. 
• You can also find the VIN on the drivers side
  dashboard inside the car.
• Payment information/ Deposit
• In general, car insurance companies require you
  to present a valid American drivers license -
  savings on your auto insurance premiums.
• Social Security number is required by
  credit-based companies in order to verify the
  information you provide on your auto insurance
  policy application.

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INSURANCE COMPANY INFORMATION

• This is in no way a recommendation for the
  company.
• PROGRESSIVE 1-800-776-4737 sive.com/
• US Drivers license you need to have had a DL
  for at least a year to apply
• (New York state policy)
• No Social Security Number is needed
• GEICO 1-800-861-8380
  
• VIN or car registration
• US Drivers license
• No Social Security Number is needed
• Geico does not insure vehicles in the states of
  Massachusetts and New Jersey
•  STATE FARM Syracuse agent - [phone],
  [phone]
• US Drivers license
  
• Vehicle title or registration
• Social Security Number is required
•  

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INSURANCE COMPANY INFORMATION

• GMAC Syracuse agent [phone]
  
• US Drivers license
• Social Security Number is required
•  
• AMICA Rochester office 1-800-24-Amica
  
• International drivers license may be accepted
  (proof of driving record required)
• Social Security Number is preferred, but this
  requirement may be waived
•  
• ALLSTATE Syracuse agent [phone]
  
• US drivers license
• Either Social Security Number OR New York state
  ID are required

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TYPES OF INSURANCE COVERAGE

• REQUIRED Insurance Coverage
• Bodily Injury Liability by NYS law requires the
  minimum coverage of
• 25,000 per person, 50,000 for bodily injury to
  all persons.
• Property Liability by NYS law requires the
  minimum coverage of
• 10,000 per accident.
• Personal Injury Protection (called No-Fault).
• It refers to medical insurance for yourself and
  passengers in your own car, but it also includes
  coverage for loss of wages and services. The
  minimum protection is 50,000 per person. Your
  insurance company will pay for this.
• OPTIONAL Insurance Coverage
• Collision--any accident that occurs to your auto
  (i.e., while parked, collision, etc.)
• Comprehensive--any loss other than collision
  (i.e., fire, theft, vandalism, etc.)

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TYPES OF INSURANCE COVERAGE

• IMPORTANT NOTICE In New York State, your
  liability insurance coverage must remain in
  effect while the registration is valid, even if
  the vehicle is not used (except motorcycles).
• Your registration will be suspended if you have a
  lapse of insurance.

• If the lapse in the insurance coverage exceeds 90
  days, your drivers license will also be
  suspended.

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Step 3 REGISTER YOUR CAR WITH NEW YORK STATE

• Things to bring to the DMV office
• proof of ownership (car TITLE) 
• proof of your identity and date of birth
• Follow the 6-point procedure for obtaining a
  drivers license.
• DMV office will accept both a drivers license
  issued by NYS and/or a foreign passport with a US
  visa and a valid form I-94 attached 
• Form MV-82 (Vehicle Registration / Title
  Application).
• This form can be obtained at the DMV office and
  online at http//www.nysdmv.com/forms/mv82.pdf
• verification of insurance (Form FS-20, NYS
  Insurance Identification Card)
• You must obtain this card from the insurance
  agent 
• purchase receipt
• payment method

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Step 3 REGISTER YOUR CAR WITH NEW YORK STATE

• The Department of Motor Vehicles will
• charge you 8 sales tax on your purchase
• give you a car registration certificate
• registration fee varies by the weight of the car
  http//www.nysdmv.com/regfee.htm

Department of Motor Vehicles 620 Erie Blvd. West
(six blocks from Salina Street) 1-800-CALL-DMV
(1-800-225-5368) http//www.nysdmv.com
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Important Reminders About Driving in NYS

• Driving while intoxicated (DWI) is a very
  serious crime in New York State.
• In New York State, you must have a hands-free
  device to use your cell phone in the car.
• You must always wear your seat beltit's the Law!
  
• Know what to do if you get pulled over by the
  police. For more information, visit
  http//www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/enforce/Wha
  tHappensEnglish.pdf

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QUESTIONS?