Driving America
Americans invented the concept of driving, and scenic U.S. highways are a testament to that tradition. But since America is divided into federated states—all with motor vehicle guidelines that vary significantly from one to the next—it is important before leaving home to find out as much as you can about the laws governing the state where you will live, and ultimately drive.
Some states allow international students to obtain a driver's license from their host state as long as they possess either a driver's license from their native country or an international driver's license. Others require that visitors to the United States establish residency for a predetermined length of time before they can become eligible for a state driver's license. Still others will allow international visitors to drive a vehicle in their host state with no state documentation for weeks or months before they are required to obtain a state driver's license.
In an effort to protect foreign visitors to the United States, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission recently published an advisory concerning the illegitimate sale of international driver licenses. It is important for international students to know that the U.S. does not grant licensure to visa holders—that is something that you must obtain through your home country, whether or not you have already arrived in the United States. Students should beware of such false advertisement and go through the appropriate channels to obtain driver licenses.
Other Forms of Transportation
For some people, driving is not a desirable way to travel, and that is something to take into consideration while searching for the right U.S. school to attend. With the exception of a few cities, the public transportation system in America is not particularly noteworthy, so if seeing the entire country is your plan, you might want to reside in a city like New York or Chicago, where reliable local, regional, and national transportation is at your disposal.
Air transportation, though greatly impacted by the events of September 11, 2001, continues to be a popular form of travel within the United States, with low-cost carriers recently competing with industry giants for consumer dollars.
Buses and trains provide two other less popular forms of transportation in the United States. As mentioned previously, U.S. ground travel has been slow to take shape and the low cost is oftentimes not worth the long hours spent en route and the cost of food and provisions along the way.