Apr 24, 2024  
2021-2022 International Student Handbook 
    
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2021-2022 International Student Handbook [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Driver’s License

 How to Obtain a Driver’s License

This Driver’s License Guide   provides information on how international students or other non-U.S. citizens may apply for a Florida Driver’s License or State Identification (ID) card with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). New F-1 students must complete their F-1 Post-Arrival Onboarding process at Florida Poly before they are eligible to apply for a driver’s license or state ID. 

International students may drive with both a license from their country of origin and an International Driver’s License for 90 days in the United States (US) before they have to obtain a driver’s license issued by the state of Florida.  A Florida driver’s license or a State of Florida ID card can be obtained at any Department of Motor Vehicles office in the state.

This driver’s license will only be valid while you have a valid I-20 or DS2019 and will have to be renewed based on your immigration documents.

  • F-1 students who have completed a course of study or optional practical training can be granted a license for an additional 60-day period to allow them to prepare for departure or to process a transfer.
  • J-1 students and scholars who have completed an exchange visitor program can obtain an additional 30-day period.
  • Dependents of F-1 or J-1 students and scholars (i.e. dependents in F-2 or J-2 status) are allowed the same period of driver’s license validity as the F-1 or J-1 students and scholars.

For the first-time issuance of a State of Florida driver’s license or ID card, Florida law requires the following items from students in F-1 or J-1 status:

  1. Passport
  2. Proof of non-immigrant classification provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Form I-94)
  3. F-1 or J-1 status documentation (Form I-20 or DS-2019)
  4. Two original proofs of residence (i.e., cell phone bills, utility bills, official, original transcripts from Florida Poly, apartment lease). 
    • Also, any official letter, for example, a bank letter or letter from Florida Poly sent to your on-campus address will suffice as proof of residence.​
  5. Social Security Number (SSN) Card  , only if you are eligible for one, and it has been issued.

It is also recommended that you take your foreign driver’s license, if one has been issued. You may be exempt from the otherwise mandatory drug and alcohol traffic education course, the driving test, or parts of it.

Complete information on the required tests and a link to the driver’s manual can be found at http://www.dmvflorida.org/driving-test.shtml.

There are currently four driver’s license offices in Polk County.  The closest location to Florida Poly is approximately 5 miles from campus:

Lakeland Driver’s License & Motor Vehicle Services Office
916 N. Massachusetts Ave.
Lakeland, FL 33801
863-534-4700
DL: Mon-Fri | 8:30am-4:00pm
MV: Mon-Fri | 8:30am-5:00pm
flhsmv.gov‎

Driving tests are administered by appointment only. Appointments are also available for all other services.

 Purchasing a Car in the United States

You must have a valid driver’s license to drive and own a car (vehicle/automobile/motor vehicle). Cars provide the most convenient way to get around the area. It is recommended that you determine if you have the financial ability to cover the costs to purchase the car, and the additional expenses for insurance, driver’s license fees, fuel, and repairs. If you do not have the finances available to cover these costs, then it is recommended that you do not purchase a car.

If you do make the decision to purchase a car, here are few things you should d consider, before you do:

  • Take along a friend who has had experience buying a car.
  • Do not be talked into buying a more expensive car than you can afford.
  • Test drive the car yourself.
  • Make sure the car is insured, before you drive it.
  • Look for rust and dents on the car’s body; test the windshield wipers, windows, directional signals, heater, air conditioner, and head, tail, and brake lights to make sure they work.
  • Compare prices offered at the different car dealerships and used car lots.
  • Check the history of a used car to determine whether it had been used as a rental, taxi, police, or family car. Car Fax is a good source to pull a vehicles history for a fee,
  • Remember to register your car with Florida Poly, so that you can obtain your parking decal and avoid parking tickets.

 Auto Insurance

Automobile (auto) insurance is necessary since the automobile owner is financially responsible for damage to property or injury to another person in case of an accident. The State of Florida requires that all car owners have at least personal injury protection (P.I.P.) insurance to protect the car owner from liability in the case of injury, death, or damage to another party. Other forms of insurance are collision, which compensates the car owner in case of an accident with another car, and comprehensive, which covers losses from vandalism or theft.


Private insurance companies are listed online and can be found by typing “auto insurance” into a search engine on the internet. You should consult at least three different insurance agents before choosing a policy to get the best price. Several factors, such as age of the driver and the value of the car, are used to determine the cost of the insurance policy.