12 Transportation

Car Ownership

Carefully review all of the rules and regulations for international students before purchasing or leasing acar. There are specific requirements to obtain your driver’s license, auto insurance, vehicle title and registration, and parking permits. Find information on each of these items on the OIS website.

Car Rental

Several car rental agencies are available, including Enterprise, Budget, and Hertz. They all have
different rates and rules. They will expect you to have a valid driver’s license and a major credit car to rent a vehicle. Many agencies only rent to people 25 years or older.

Mopeds and Motorcycles

When operating any vehicle on public streets, you need to be a licensed driver. Make sure you register your moped or motorcycle with the state of Indiana and buy an IU parking permit in order to park on campus.

Driver’s License

To drive legally in America, you will need a license. You may use an International Driver’s License for one year, or a license from another U.S. state for 60 days. To receive an Indiana driver’s license, you will need to bring the following items to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV):

• Valid passport with Visa information and printed copy of your I-94 card

• Your social security card OR a letter of ineligibility from the Social Security Office

• Two documents showing proof of a mailing address in Bloomington

• If you have a driver’s license from your home country, bring a certified translation of it. OIS has a reputable, qualified agency; contact details are on the OIS website.

The BMV will give you a written test. You can study for the test and learn the rules of driving in Indiana on the BMV website. You need to pass the written test to receive your license.

Bicycles

Bloomington provides safe bike trails like the B Line. Bikes can be purchased or rented from many locations in town. We recommend that you purchase a good lock to keep your bike secure when not in use.

You will need to register your bike with IU Parking Operations and buy a parking permit in order to park it on campus.

Campus and City Busses

IU’s bus service travels around campus, linking on-campus housing to many facilities. Bloomington Transit is the city’s local, public bus service. The city has nine routes that go to popular shopping destinations and supermar-kets. Both services are free with your Crimson Card, and can be tracked with the SPOT app.

Long-Distance Bus and Train Services

Train travel in the Midwestern United States is very different from other parts of the world, so you should anticipate challenging routes and schedules. Amtrak is the most common passenger train option and operates out of Indianapolis. Greyhound and Megabus also operate out of Indianapolis and are the most common long-distance bus services.

Zipcar

IU participates in a car-share service that lets you reserve vehicles by the hour or the day. Contact Zipcar directly to join or to learn more.

Airport Shuttle

The nearest international airport is in Indianapolis. GO Express Travel offers a convenient and inexpensive shuttle between Bloomington and the airport.

Ride Services

Local taxis and ride services are available 24 hours per day.

• Red Tire Taxi: 812-269-2690

• Uber: App based

• Lyft: App based

Electric Scooter Rentals

There are several electric scooter rental companies operating in Bloom-ington, including Lime, Veo, and Bird. These companies are app-based and their scooters can be used to travel short distances around town. You must follow all rules of the road and comply with parking and safety regulations when operating a scooter.