The process for obtaining a Texas Driver's License (TDL), although not difficult, may be rather confusing. The first step to take is to acquire the TEXAS DRIVERS HANDBOOK, published by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). This is a very informative publication, and you may want your own copy. At the present time, the OISS has a limited number of these handbooks, and regrettably, can only lend them to students. You are, however invited to come by and borrow one to read and return it to our shelves.

If you would like our own booklet, you may contact the nearest DPS Drivers' License Office or by writing to: Inspection and Planning Service, Texas Department of Public Safety, PO Box 4087, Austin, TX. 78733-0001. (See the box titled DPS offices for Houston offices.) To obtain a driver's license, study the handbook and then go to the nearest DPS office.

Be prepared to stand in line for a long time - a two or three hour wait is not unusual.

You must surrender any/all valid driver's licenses in your possession in order to receive a Texas driver's license.

Obtain and complete the application and provide:

• Birth certificate or passport to show your full, legal name, date and place of birth;
• Information of current address, brief history of your physical and mental condition, and other personal information;
• $24.00;
• Social Security Number.

Present the fee, application, and additional documentation to the examiner who will take your picture and thumbprints, and give you a vision test. If you have a corrected vision problem, you may be restricted to glasses, or if the problem has not been corrected, you will be instructed to see an eye doctor. The license will not be issued until your vision is corrected.

You will then be admitted to the written test which consists of two parts, road rules and road signs. The passing score is 70% on these two sections. If you pass that test, you will be instructed to make an appointment for the driving (skills) test, probably the next working day (Aug 2, 2000 update: to receive an appointment for the driving test before noon you may have to come as early as 6am. The office opens at 7am).

When you go to the DPS office to take the skills test, you must have a properly registered and insured car to drive. The DPS officer who administers the test will inspect the vehicle before setting out on the road. A score of 70% is also required for passing. After the test, the officer will go over the results with you, explaining the errors you made. If you do not pass, you may take the skills test two more times within 90 days without having to pay the fee again. If you pass that test, a receipt will be issued. This will reflect your driver's license number and may be used for 60 days or until you receive your license in the mail. Contact the local office of the DPS if you do not receive the license within 60 days. Please note the following details:

• Write down the number of your license which appears on the receipt/temporary license and keep it in a safe place.
• Any time you move, notify the DPS of your change of address.
• Obey all laws when driving. Do not take unnecessary risks. Be a polite and considerate driver.
• Alcohol and drugs, even prescription or over-the-counter drugs, and mixing medications, can affect your driving skills. Penalties for driving while intoxicated (DWI) are strictly enforced.
• Always carry your driver's license when driving.

For more information, visit Texas Department of Public Safety website.

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So You Want to Buy a Car...

in Houston without a car is not easy; yet owning a car is not a simple matter. One can never seem to be free of worry when s/he has a car. Some problem, responsibility, detail presents itself daily: registration, insurance, inspections, license tag renewal, and maintenance, maintenance, maintenance! Still, most people cannot seem to resist the lure of owning this bright, shiny, powerful expression of who they are-or who they think they are-no matter how much trouble a car may be. Are you one of those who HAS to have a car? (Most of us are!) If so, you need to be aware of a few things before you even think of shopping for that Dream Machine.

Purchasing a new car is great-if you can afford it. International students seldom have established credit, and thus, must pay cash for their cars. This puts most, then, in the position of looking at used cars which usually do not require credit references and most of the time can be purchased with cash. However, if you are not careful, purchasing a used car may cost more in the long run. It pays to be informed when making any purchase. Especially in buying a car from a private seller, there are several things one must learn about to ensure that s/he is in compliance with the law and not being scammed. A former visiting scholar at Rice has provided the OISS with the following information:

• Get an overview on used car prices. Very helpful free sites are Edmund's Automobile Buyer's Guide and Kelley's Blue Book.
• Before making a test drive: Find out if you need liability insurance. In some cases, the current owner's insurance will cover any driver. Many times, however, if you want to drive on public streets, you will need your own liability policy first. If at all possible, have the car inspected by a mechanic before you make any commitment to buying it.
• Before buying the car: Get all the information on automobile insurance policies, including liability and comprehensive and collision costs for the vehicle model, make, and year. Get the vehicle identification number. Ask to see the Title ("Certificate of Title") of the car. All the information needed to inquire about insurance for this particular car will appear on the Title. (This will also prove that the person selling you the car is the owner). Important: Make sure that no liens are recorded on the Title. (If money is owed on the car, another name will appear in the space for "lienholder." In addition, the "clear" Title (no debts are held against the car) is blue, and the temporary Title (proof of sole ownership has not yet been issued) is red.
• Arrange with the insurance company you have chosen to begin the coverage, especially the liability insurance required by law, before you meet with the seller to finalize the transaction.
• When buying the car: Take the amount of money agreed upon and in the form agreed upon (cash, check, etc.) to the pre-arranged site of the sale. Complete the form titled "Bill of Sale and Invoice." Both buyer and seller must sign. It is preferrable to have the signatures notarized, but if there is no notary at the site of the sale, it is good idea to take someone with you who can witness the transaction. Complete the form "Application for Texas Certificate of Title." Be sure the instructions are printed on the back of the form. The seller signs on line 22; the buyer signs on line 23. The buyer and seller also sign on the indicated lines on the back of the Title.
• After buying the car: Take the Title, "Application for Texas Certificate of Title," and the "Bill of Sale and Invoice" to a Harris County Tax Office. You will pay a fee and the sales tax on the vehicle (approximately 6.25% of the sales price of the car) to transfer the Title to you, the new owner. The seller need not go to the Tax Office with you. You should receive your Title by mail within 4 to 6 weeks. For more information on how to register your car, click here.

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