Driver’s License

New York State recognizes the International Driving Permit issued by Taiwan, but you must carry your Taiwanese driver’s license along with an accompanying translated copy (reference) for verification.

Taking the New York State Driving Test

Standard process:

  1. Go to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for the written test and on-site vision screening.
  2. Attend a five-hour classroom course (Pre-licensing Course).
  3. Practice driving on the road.
  4. Take the road test.

After passing the written exam, you can obtain a Learner’s Permit (Learner’s Permit). You may practice driving on the road as long as there is another person in the car who holds a valid U.S. driver’s license.

  • The five-hour classroom course can be taken at any driving school.
  • Unlike in Taiwan, attending a driving school is not a mandatory requirement for obtaining a license. However, if needed, there is only one driving school locally in Ithaca: Learn-Well School of Driving. Call to book an appointment (607-546-2192). This school offers pickup services, and most of its instructors are active or retired police officers. After each driving lesson, you pay by card or cash (each road driving lesson lasts about 40 to 50 minutes and costs between $60 and $65). The number of lessons is flexible; you should master parallel parking and the three-point turn before scheduling your road test.
  • Once you pass the written test, you can even schedule your road test online.

Car Rental

  • Ithaca Carshare: A top choice for short-term rentals (for example, renting a car for just a few hours). It is a membership-based service that requires proof of an accident-free driving record. Cornell students are waived the membership fees. Rental cost averages about $6–9 per hour on weekdays, and there are numerous self-service pickup locations.

Rental process:

  1. Reserve your car online.
  2. Use your personal keycard to unlock and pick up the vehicle.
  3. Return the car to its original location once you have finished using it.

Buying a Car

After the impact of COVID-19, the car market in the U.S. has shifted dramatically—from a buyer’s market to a seller’s market. Popular car models are hard to come by, and dealers often add markups (ADM) or force the purchase of add-ons such as accessories or services, driving prices to new highs. There was a time when the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) represented a very attractive price.

Thankfully, in the post-pandemic era, if you prefer less popular car models or brands, you might be able to purchase your desired car at a reasonable price.

  • If you are a Master’s student (staying for less than two years): It is recommended to buy a car that holds its value well, so that when you leave after two years, it still retains good resale value. Recommended models: Honda CR-V Hybrid or Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.
  • If you are a Ph.D. student planning to stay for a longer period (five years or more): You might consider less popular or lower resale value brands (e.g., Chevy, Jeep, Fiat), as long-term depreciation will be less noticeable after five years.

Currently, buying a used car is not very cost-effective because used car prices are extremely high. Purchasing a new car with a warranty can save you the hassle of dealing with minor issues or repairs.

  • Maguire Cars: A well-established local dealership in Ithaca representing many car brands, including Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Subaru, and more.

    • Feature: Pricing is very transparent. Unlike certain unscrupulous dealers (mostly in larger cities) who will make you call them or meet at a showroom where the prices are shockingly high, Maguire displays the prices on their website. What you see is what you get—there’s little room for haggling.

  • Williams Car: A dealership in nearby Elmira that also sells brands like Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Subaru, etc.

  • Dovi Motors: A Ford dealership located about 20–30 minutes’ drive from Ithaca in the small city of Cortland. All discounts are clearly listed on their website. The owner, Jesse Dovi, is also a salesperson, so if you want to negotiate, you can speak directly with him as he has the authority to make decisions. The staff are friendly, so Ford enthusiasts should consider it.

  • West Herr Auto Group: One of the largest automotive dealerships in Western New York, and among the largest in the country. They offer a wide range of brands, almost everything is available. Compared to smaller dealers like Maguire, they have significantly larger inventories, though you may have to drive over 100 minutes to Rochester or 150 minutes to Buffalo.

High-end brand dealerships in Ithaca are limited; currently, only Audi, Cadillac (GM’s luxury brand), Lincoln (Ford’s luxury brand), and Volvo are available. If you are looking for high-end brands familiar to Taiwanese consumers, such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Lexus, or even Porsche, you will need to visit a larger nearby city (e.g., Syracuse’s Driver Village or Rochester).

If you specifically want a rare or special model, such as the Ford F-150 Raptor, Ford Bronco, Honda Civic Type R, Golf R, Jeep Rubicon 392, Land Rover Defender, etc., you may need to travel to another state to buy one, as these models are not common.

Don’t worry—cross-state car purchases are not a problem. Typically, the dealership will assist you in obtaining a temporary registration that is valid for one month. During this month, you must take the relevant documents to the DMV to register your car and pay the sales tax (8% of the car’s price).

Automotive Consultants: An independent small used car dealership in Ithaca.

Key considerations when buying a car:

  • Request a test drive—especially when purchasing a used car. If you only have an International Driving Permit, test driving might be uncertain due to insurance issues; try to persuade them or be persistent.

  • Kelley Blue Book: A car valuation website.

  • Carfax: A vehicle history report website. In the U.S., every car has a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). Enter the VIN on their website to check whether the vehicle has had any major issues.

  • Before purchasing a used car, arrange for the seller to take the vehicle to various local repair shops in Ithaca for a pre-purchase inspection, such as:

  • Once you confirm that the vehicle is in good condition and decide to purchase it, go to the DMV to complete the title transfer and have the vehicle inspected for safety to ensure it is roadworthy.

  • If you discover defects after buying a new car, try your best to negotiate a return or exchange with the dealer.

License Plates / Vehicle Registration

After purchasing your desired vehicle, before you can drive on the road, you must register your car and obtain license plates. You need to provide six forms of valid documentation to prove your residency in New York State, such as a student ID, international passport, rental agreements, credit card statements, etc.

Generally, new-car dealerships will handle these matters for you, although they will charge a corresponding dealer fee (ranging from $0 to $799). If you purchase a car from another state, based on personal experience, you can usually complete these processes on your own within about 2 hours.

The license plate number cannot be chosen by you. However, once you receive your plates, you can visit the personalized plate service to order a custom plate. The rules vary by design but generally allow 6–8 characters combining letters and numbers. (It usually costs less than $100, and the wait is about 4 weeks.)

Car Insurance

  • There are many local insurance providers, such as NYCM, Progressive, Geico, etc. However, if you only have an International Driving Permit, your options may be more limited.

    • Downtown True Insurance is a Progressive agent with over 150 years of experience. Their service staff are very friendly.

  • Whether you hold a U.S. driver’s license, your age, and whether you have a clean driving record will all affect your premium. Insurance premiums are calculated on a semi-annual basis; annual costs can range from about $1,000 to $5,000.

  • Premium calculations are complex—the brand you choose, the car model, car price, coverage limits, indemnity amounts, and the deductible all influence the cost. For instance, for a Ford Explorer priced at $50,000 versus a BMW X3 under similar insurance terms, the premium for the BMW X3 will notably be higher.

  • If you bundle home insurance with auto insurance through the same provider, you may receive a discount.

  • When traveling, your car insurance typically extends to other states within the U.S.

On the Road

  • Always carry your driver’s license, insurance documents, and roadside assistance phone numbers. Check your tire pressure, coolant, and oil before driving.

  • The legal speed is the posted speed limit; driving faster than or significantly slower than the speed limit is considered a violation. In practice, driving within +5 mph above the limit in urban areas or within +10 mph on interstate highways is generally tolerated.

  • Pedestrian Friendly: Unlike in Taiwan where pedestrians often contend with chaotic driving conditions, in the U.S. drivers are very respectful of pedestrian right-of-way. Drivers will almost always slow down or stop when they see pedestrians crossing or preparing to cross, and pedestrians often wave or nod in thanks.

  • Driving Etiquette: Overall, American drivers tend to be much more courteous than drivers in Taiwan. It is rare to see aggressive drivers; traffic violators tend to be loud and obnoxious.

  • You may occasionally see wild animals (rabbits, squirrels, deer, etc.) on the road. Do not swerve into the opposing lane to avoid an animal. If you hit an animal that causes damage to your vehicle, discuss compensation with your insurance provider.

  • On U.S. highways, speed limits are generally around 55 mph (90 km/hr) on non-interstate roads and about 65 mph (105 km/hr) on interstate highways. Typically, speeding by 5–10 mph above the limit may not result in a ticket, but exceeding that margin may attract attention from state troopers.

  • If you are stopped by the police for a violation, roll down your window and keep your hands on the steering wheel. Do not immediately remove your seatbelt. The officer will ask for your driver’s license and insurance documents, issue you a ticket, and ask if you plead guilty.

  • You may choose to plead not guilty; in that case, you must mail the ticket to the court or deliver it in person—the ticket will include the court’s address and instructions. If you plead guilty, a similar process applies, but with a longer deadline of up to one month.

  • Choosing to plead not guilty means you will have to appear in court. Some people opt to hire a lawyer, but police usually have sufficient evidence (e.g., speeding) to make a dismissal unlikely, unless you can argue extenuating circumstances.

  • Excessive speeding (more than 20 mph over the limit) not only incurs a hefty fine but also a separate DA ticket with an additional $300 assessment fee. Please always be mindful of the speed limit, drive safely, and return home securely.

Winter Driving

  • During inclement weather or poor road conditions, it is advisable to drive at lower speeds. Although snow is frequently cleared locally, freshly fallen heavy snow is very dangerous. In the fall, avoid riding alongside piles of leaves on the roadside to prevent rollovers.
  • In Ithaca, several steep hills exist. For FWD and RWD vehicles, driving on unplowed slopes (e.g., Pleasant Grove Rd. and Buffalo St.) is extremely hazardous; vehicles may be unable to climb, and forcing the drive may leave you stranded.
  • For safety when driving in snow, even if you have AWD, it is recommended to install snow tires to reduce the risk of slipping and ensure proper braking.
  • When driving in snowy conditions, avoid slamming on the brakes. Instead, gently ease off the accelerator and tap the brakes lightly to decelerate or bring the vehicle to a stop. Abrupt braking may cause the tires to lock, leading to loss of control.
  • In deep snow, any vehicle may become stuck. Always keep a snow shovel, as well as an ice scraper and snow brush, to clear snow from your vehicle and windshield.

Parking

  • When parking off-campus, be cautious—illegally parked vehicles may be towed, incurring a $120 impound fee plus a $30 fine.
  • On campus, parking is divided into metered parking and permit parking. Parking permits can be purchased online (delivered by mail) or in person; for details, please see here. The permit code correlates with specific parking lots on campus, so choose carefully.
  • If you live on campus, note that you can only purchase either dormitory parking or campus parking, not both.
  • For campus parking regulations, refer to the parking rules and the citation fee schedule.
  • It is recommended to register with the Parkmobile app for payment (failure to pay or overstaying may result in a citation; fines are around $35). Each parking session incurs a handling fee of $0.35. This app works both on and off campus and is very convenient. (For locations on campus that accept Parkmobile, click here.)
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Last updated 26 Mar 2025, 19:39 -0400 . history