Exchange Student Handbook:...Table of Contents....Academics....Health Information....Laws

Transportation

Quick Jump:

Bicycles top>>

Gainesville is a very bike friendly city. Many students ride their bikes to class and around town. Bicycle parking areas are accessible on campus and in surrounding city areas.

Where to buy a bike

There are several bicycle shops close to campus that sell new and used bicycles. A used bicycle can cost $60 or more depending on the model. A new bicycle starts at $150 or more.

New Bicycles:

Used Bicycles:

Some exchange students have bought bicycles from either Wal-Mart or Target. (see Where to Shop for Different Items section). These stores have bicycles that are less expensive than those found in bicycle specialty shops.

You can also search for bicycles in the classified sections of newspapers or check the online bulletin board for UFIC.

What you will need to buy with your bike

Free Bike Repair

UF Student Government provides free bike repair for students. They will help make minor repairs and adjustments to your bike. The Bike Repair is located on the side of the Reitz Union. Check the sign in front for hours.

Bicycle Traffic Laws

See the Laws section for more information.

Mopeds top>>

Mopeds appeal to some students because they are relatively inexpensive and easy to park. If purchasing a moped, you must have a valid Driver's License. If the moped has an engine with more than 50 cc's of engine displacement, it is considered a motorcycle and requires a special motorcycle license. If parking on campus, you will need to purchase a moped decal. The Parking and Decal office is located at 115 North South Drive. Decal information is available online at www.bsd.ufl.edu/Parking.

RTS Bus System top>>

www.go-rts.com

Regional Transit System, or RTS, is the City of Gainesville's bus system. Students can ride the RTS buses for free when they present their Gator 1 cards. Bus schedules are available in the International Center and at other student areas such as the Hub Bookstore and the Registrar's Office. You can also locate the latest schedules online.

Buses do not run on Sundays.

RTS has specific bus routes that serve only the UF campus and the surrounding Gainesville area. Buses that run on the most popular routes are often very crowded or full to capacity. You may have to study the bus schedule carefully and plan ahead if trying to get to campus on time for classes.

Later Gator top>>

Later Gator is a program that offers late night bus service to downtown Gainesville on Thursday-Saturday from 8:30 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. The Later Gator is a popular solution to the problem of having to drive and park downtown when going out at night. Later Gator is free with your Gator 1 card and $1 for non-students. Look for the Later Gator sign at bus stops to indicate a Later Gator bus stop.

Cars top>>

Do you really need a car? Some students decide to buy a car during their stay in Gainesville. A car can give you the freedom to get around Gainesville and to travel to other cities but it also carries many responsibilities. Cars are expensive to buy, repair, and maintain. Cars also require continuous expenses such as fuel, insurance, and maintenance.

You must have a valid Florida Driver's license, adequate car insurance, and, if parking on campus, a UF parking decal. Although a car can be useful to get around Gainesville to run errands and make trips, it is not recommended that you try to park on campus to get to class. More parking decals are sold than the total number of parking spaces available on the campus. This makes parking scarce at UF. For campus parking decal questions, call Transportation and Parking Services at 392-6655 or visit online at http://www.parking.ufl.edu/.

If you decide to buy a car

You must be aware of the Florida Vehicle Laws for driving in Florida. Failure to do so can result in traffic tickets or accidents. Some of the most commonly violated rules are those that deal with speed limits and parking violations.

The State of Florida enforces strict penalties for drivers who operate vehicles under the influence of alcohol. These include hundreds of dollars in fines, community service work, revocation of your driver's license, and possibly a jail sentence. Do not risk your life and that of others by driving drunk. Florida state law also requires that seat belts be worn at all times by the driver and passengers in a car.

Buying an Automobile

Because new automobiles are expensive, students often choose to buy used cars. It is wise to be cautious and alert when buying a used car. Prospective buyers should ask many questions about the condition of the vehicle. Some people bring the used automobile to a mechanic before they buy the vehicle. It is also important to choose a car that you will be able to sell easily when leaving. If you buy a car from an individual, insist on a written receipt or bill of sale.

In addition, you need the title to the car, which proves your ownership. The seller may have to accompany you to the Tag Agency to complete the forms. Never buy a car from a seller who does not have the title! It is not a good idea to purchase a car from a automobile dealership if you have not done so before. The salesmen at these dealerships often have a reputation for manipulating customers who seem inexperienced.

Where to find a car

Some exchange students in the past have bought cars from other exchange students who were leaving after their studies were complete. You can ask your school's international office for contacts of other students who are currently studying at UF. This is particularly useful for students coming to UF in the spring term, when the students from the fall term are getting ready to sell their belongings and return home. You can also search the classified ads for car listings. The student newspaper, the Alligator, and Gainesville's the Gainesville Sun both have online listings:

Automobile Insurance

Auto insurance is required for all drivers. You will have to inquire with insurance companies to get adequate coverage. The cost of insurance depends on many factors including the age and type of car you have, your age, and your previous driving history. Auto insurance companies are listed in the phone book under 'Insurance.' It is wise to compare prices and the extent of coverage with at least two insurance agents before purchasing insurance.

Driver's Licenses

If you will be driving a rental car, your International Driver's license is sufficient and you will not need to obtain a Florida license. If you are planning to buy a car, however, you must obtain a State of Florida driver's license within 30 days of arriving in Florida. International Driver's licenses are not accepted! Applicants must bring two legal documents containing matching names and dates of birth (a passport, I-94, your IAP-66). The cost for a driver's license is $20. You will be required to take a driving and written test and may be required to attend a drug and alcohol class.

The Driver's License office is located at 5830 NW 34th Street, behind the Highway Patrol Station on Highway 441 (13th Street). The offices are open Tuesday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. The Licenses office phone number is (352) 955-2111.

Identification Cards

If you do not want to carry your passport for identification purposes, you can purchase an official State of Florida ID card. This card costs $3 and is available at the Driver's Licenses office. You must bring two legal documents stating matching dates of birth (a passport, I-94, your DS-2019).

Automobile Registration

The Alachua County Tag office is located at 5801 NW 34th Street, across the street from the Driver's Licenses office. You must register your automobile with the Alachua County Tag Office when you purchase it or arrive in Florida with your car from another state.

Upon registering your vehicle, you will receive a license plate or 'tag'. The registration cost depends on the weight of the automobile and other factors. You must bring a certificate of the title of the vehicle, proof of insurance, and a driver's license to the Tag Agency to apply for tag, title, and registration. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.