Getting Around in Dallas

Mass transportation, such as buses or trains, is very limited in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. The most commonly used mode of transportation is the car. You may want to consider purchasing a car if your stay in Dallas will be lengthy. The “Driving in Texas” Section contains some helpful information.

If you will rely on public transportation, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) has bus routes in and around Dallas. Fares for most local single ride routes begin at $1.25 and may range as high as $2.25 for travel to outlying areas. Day passes range from $2.50-$4.50.Exact change is required. If you are paid by UT Southwestern, you can buy a DART Annual Pass at the Parking Services office in the Information Center, Building "A" on the Plaza by the main entrance of the UT Southwestern campus. For employees, this is a huge savings and a great benefit if you are planning on using public transportation. Full-time UT Southwestern students can also receive discounts on DART passes. Contact or visit Parking Services to find out more about these opportunities.

Other DART services include a "Park and Ride" from North Dallas and several other suburbs (you drive to a designated parking area and then take the bus or light rail train to the city), reduced fares within the downtown area, special buses to sporting and concert venues as well as airports and train stations. A helpful trip planner as well as rate and schedule information for regular routes and special services can be obtained at http://www.dart.org. Paratransit Services is available for the mobility impaired. For more information, http://www.dart.org/paratransit.asp.

Texas Driver's License Requirements/International Driver's License
Generally, a person 18 to 75 years of age with a valid out-of-country driver license in their possession may drive a private, non-commercial motor vehicle in the State of Texas for up to one year from date of entry into the United States, if your home country has reciprocity with the U.S. In order to check for reciprocity agreement status, click on Reciprocity In Driver Licensing or you may contact License Issuance at (512) 424-5089 or by e-mail at license.issuance@txdps.state.tx.us. Please note that Chinese Nationals do not have a reciprocity agreement.

If your country does not have a reciprocity Driver's License agreement with Texas. An International Driver's License will have to be obtained for driving in the U.S. particularly if your stay will be for less than a year. Texas Department of Public Safety has stringent rules regarding the length of stay and the ability to obtain a Texas Driver's License.

While an International Driver's License may be used in Texas for one year, many of our visitors find it helpful to obtain a Texas Driver's License so on after their arrival. Your Texas Driver's License will have your picture on it and will serve as identification for cashing checks, purchasing a car, automobile insurance, etc. If you or your spouse prefer not to drive, we recommend that you obtain a Texas Identification Card (Texas I.D.). You will receive information on obtaining either document when you visit the International Office to check-in. A helpful website to obtain Texas Driver's License/I.D. Card information is http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administration/driver_licensing_control/movingtotexas.htm

To obtain a Texas I.D. card or Driver's License, you will need to present your passport and social security card. The fee for the I.D. card is $15, $24 for the driver's license. If you own a car, you will also need to present proof of insurance (see "Automobile Insurance" section) when applying for your driver's license examinations. You must pass a written "Rules of the Road" test, a vision test, and a practical driving test. The car in which you plan to take the practical test must pass inspection, i.e., the lights, turn signals, etc. need to be in working condition. Otherwise, you will not be allowed to take the test. You can obtain a driver's handbook, which lists and explains the regulations.

You must observe all driving regulations in the U.S. Each state (such as Texas) has authority to regulate the operation of motor vehicles within its borders. In addition to state traffic regulations, local laws (such as speed limits) are enforced by county and city governments. Failure to obey traffic regulations may result in severe penalties. In the least severe cases, expect to pay a large fine ($50 - $200).

Texas law requires the driver and passengers in the front seat of an automobile to wear seat belts while the car is in motion. Children under the age of two must be in approved child seats and children age two and above must wear seat belts. You must always have proof of car registration and insurance as well as your Driver's License with you in your car. Always be aware of the speed limit posted for the area in which you are driving, since these are also strictly enforced. The speed limit in Texas is 55 miles per hour (mph) on freeways, unless specified otherwise, and 65 mph on rural interstate highways. The speed limit on most residential streets is 30 mph, and ranges from 30 - 45 on major boulevards.

If a law enforcement officer stops you for an infraction, you must stay in your car and present your driver's license, vehicle registration or rental agreement, and proof of insurance. Failure to present these documents is also considered an infraction punishable by a fine. Unless instructed to do so you should not leave your car, even if the officer returns to the patrol car to verify your documents. You will receive a traffic citation (ticket) from the officer that indicates a court date and time, address, and telephone number to call for more information. Most states do not require that you go to the police station for minor traffic infractions.

There are many issues to consider before buying an automobile, including new vs. used (pre-owned), financing, and overall costs associated with vehicle ownership (insurance, maintenance, registration, etc.).

The purchase price of an automobile in the U.S. is almost always negotiable. Cars bought through a dealer usually have a "sticker price" which lists the car's options, while a person selling his/her own car will quote you a price based on the features of the car. Whether you are purchasing a new car from a dealer or a used car from an individual owner, you can usually bargain for a final purchase price that is 10-20% below the asking price. If possible, get a friend or colleague to help you.

To learn the actual retail value of a car, which may determine how much you are willing to pay for it. You can obtain the "Blue Book" quote on any particular year, make, and model of car at http://www.kbb.com/blue.html.

Additional assistance regarding cars is available through private, not-for-profit organizations like the Consumer Reports (http://www.consumerreports.org).

Insurance - Approximately $100-$200 per month, depending on driving record and coverage/

If you decide to purchase a car, consider obtaining a Texas Driver's License first; it may reduce the cost of your automobile insurance, which is mandatory (see "Driving in Texas"). If you purchase your car from an auto dealer, you will pay the fees for title, registration, and license plates to the dealership. Otherwise, applications for a Texas title and license plates must be submitted at a Dallas County Tax Assessor and Collector's Office. You may obtain additional information at http://www.txdot.state.tx.us/services/vehicle_titles_and_registration/registration.htm. Registration and inspection stickers are renewed annually.Texas law requires that your car receive a state inspection prior to your car registration and have one done annually. Here is a helpful pamphlet which outlines the process ftp://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/vtr/misc/vtr450forms.pdf

Texas law requires that automobile owners maintain a minimum amount of public liability insurance coverage for each vehicle. Public liability insurance protects a motorist in the event of personal injury to another person. Owners should keep an insurance verification card (issued with your insurance policy) in the car at all times. Additional and more expensive property damage, comprehensive, and collision insurance are required on new vehicles if they are purchased on credit. For full coverage, you can expect to pay approximately $2,000 per year for each vehicle insured. If you purchase a car requiring only liability insurance (usually older models paid for in full), plan to spend about $600 per year.

We advise you to talk to your colleagues and others in your department about their car insurance coverage.

In addition, you can receive a discount applicable to your Texas auto insurance if you take the defensive driving course offered by the Department of Public Safety.

You may be able to significantly reduce the cost of your automobile insurance by bringing

1) a copy of your driving record for the past five years obtained from the appropriate authorities in your home country,

2) a letter from your insurance company detailing your client history for the past five (5) years.

A permit is required to park an automobile on the UT Southwestern campus. The campus police do not hesitate to issue traffic or parking tickets. If you do not have a parking permit, you will need to take your car to Visitor Parking; ask the person in the guard booth at the entrance to the university for directions.

To purchase a parking permit, you will need a UT Southwestern identification (I.D.) card, which you can obtain from Human Resources during your orientation visit or by calling (214) 648-9850. Please remember that you must visit the International Office before you can obtain a UT Southwestern I.D. card from Human Resources.

Parking permit prices range from $50 to $200 per fiscal year (August to August), depending on which parking lot you choose to use. The fee is prorated so that you pay only from the time you acquire the permit thru the end of the fiscal year. Permits may be purchased at the Parking Services office in the Information Center, Building "A" on the Plaza by the main entrance of the UT Southwestern campus. Cash, checks, and credit cards are accepted.