Will you be buying a car or motor vehicle, or driving while in California? If so, you must obtain a California driver's license if you are either employed or a student in California. See the DMV Page for more information. Tourists may drive in California for one year as long as they have a valid driver's license from their home country. If you are going to purchase a motor vehicle (a car, scooter or motorcycle), most insurance companies will not provide coverage unless you have a valid California license. See the section on Auto Insurance.

Before you apply for a California Driver's License you need a Social Security number. To obtain a driver's license call the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for hours and an appointment (recommended): in Oakland at 5300 Claremont Avenue (510) 450-3691, and in El Cerrito at 6400 Manila (510) 235-9171. You will be given a written test of driving laws, an eye test, and you will be given an actual driving test (you provide the car). Manuals to prepare for the written test are available at DMV. The manuals and written tests are sometimes available in languages other than English, depending upon availability at each office.

Renting a Car

You can rent a car with an International Driver's License and home country driver's license. A credit card is usually required. Some companies require that you are over 21 years old; others have a minimum age of 25 to rent a car. Check the yellow pages of the phonebook for "Automobiles, Rental." Check at least three companies to compare prices; be sure to ask about mileage restrictions. Some companies require additional drivers to present their driver's license at the time the vehicle is rented and add on an additional driver charge.

Public Transportation Systems

Check the Transit Information site for schedules and fares.

The AC Transit Company (510) 839-2882 operates buses in the East Bay and to San Francisco's Transbay Terminal near the Financial District. Riding an AC Transit bus requires exact fare.

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) is our local subway, whose trains run throughout the East Bay and into San Francisco. The fare depends on how far you ride. For information and hours of operation, pick up the schedule booklet at any BART station or call (510) 465-2278.

In San Francisco, the Municipal Railway (MUNI) (415) 673-6864 operates 84 lines of buses, trolleys, and cable cars throughout the city. You can purchase a MUNI map at San Francisco bookstores and there is a small one in front of San Francisco phone book "Yellow Pages."

Private taxi service is available in any city from several companies listed in the phone book yellow pages. Taxis are the most expensive form of transportation.

Transit Information and Monthly Passes

Monthly passes for AC Transit and BART can be purchases from Berkeley TRIP at 2033 Center Street near Shattuck (510) 644-7665. The TRIP store also has information about public transportation in the Bay Area and bus or BART schedules. ONLY UC Berkeley students may purchase a pass to ride the UC campus shuttle bus which goes from downtown Berkeley around the campus; otherwise it is $.25 per ride.

Bicycles

Bicycles are becoming more popular as a means of transportation in the U.S., and especially in Berkeley, where the weather is usually mild enough to ride bikes all year. Certain regulations and precautions must be followed to insure security for your bike, and safety for yourself and others.

All bicycles in Berkeley must be mechanically sound and must be registered. Registration is done by the Campus Police Dept. at the Bike Bureau. Call 642-6760 for times and fees for bike registration. The police will record the factory serial number; keep your own record of this number, so you can report it if your bike is stolen. You'll also have to present proof of ownership (a sales receipt) or personal identification when you register to assure the police that the bicycle is legally yours.

Bicycle theft is common! Always lock your bike with a heavy-duty lock (recommended brands: Citadel, Kryptonite).

Bicycles are subject to the rules and regulations of the California Vehicle Code; obey stop signs and red lights, and signal properly when making turns, or you may be ticketed by the police. Ride defensively! Many motorists are not aware of bicyclists. Wear a helmet! Children are now required by law to wear a helmet when on a bike. See the UC Berkeley Bicycle Book published by the UC Police Dept.

Scooters, Mopeds, and Motorcycles

Many students use these because they are cheaper to purchase and operate than cars, easier to park, and quicker than bicycles. Scooters, however cannot be taken on the freeways. Look in the yellow pages of the phone book under "Motorcycles" for dealers who sell both new and used scooters, moped and motorcycles. Also check the classified ads in local newspapers. Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles for information about registration and license needed to drive a particular vehicle. Helmets are required (and smart!) for anyone riding a scooter, moped, or motorcycle.

Transportation for Sightseeing in the Bay Area

There is public transportation to area of tourist and recreational interest. Golden Gate Transit (GGT) has bus service to Marin County and Sonoma counties from San Francisco and the Richmond or El Cerrito Del Norte BART stations. There is a bus to Stinson Beach and Point Reyes. They also offer ferry service between San Francisco and Larkspur or Sausalito. For information call (415) 332-6600.

Ferries

DON'T! Unlike many countries in the world, hitch-hiking is generally not safe in the United States. A safer and inexpensive alternative for traveling by car might be to check the bulletin boards around campus where people driving somewhere will ask for riders to share gas costs.

International Researchers & Scholars Services, intl.researchers.scholars@lbl.gov

*Shared by agreement with Services for International Students & Scholars (SISS) at University of California/Berkeley. Visiting Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory should address all questions to intl.researchers.scholars@lbl.gov.

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