Brownsville/SPI Airport
If you fly into Brownsville/SPI airport you can take a taxi to the Ramada Inn or the Fort Brown Hotel for $10.00. Airport telephone number is (956) 542-4373.

Harlingen International Airport
There are several transportation options available from Harlingen. A taxi will cost $50.00. Surf Tran van service charges for one person $50.00 and $25.00 for more than two passengers to the Brownsville area.

Financial Arrangements
When you arrive to the U.S., you should have Travelers Checks with some U.S. currency for convenience. Do not carry a large amount of cash and never display a large amount of paper money to pay for something. You should carry about $100.00 in cash and the rest in traveler’s checks. We suggest $2,000.00 because you will need money for initial expenses upon your arrival for hotel, food, apartment leasing, deposits for apartment utilities, transportation, etc. If you are planning to live in the U.S. for several years and will want to use credit cards, we suggest that you bring your credit cards, (from your country) with you (VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Dinner’s Club, etc.) It is difficult to get “credit” in the United States when you have a nonimmigrant visa.

Private Transportation
A Texas Operator’s License is required if you want to drive a car in Brownsville. It is also a readily accepted identification card (I.D.) when cashing a check. To obtain a license, you must pass two tests, a written test, a practical driving test, and you need a social security card to get the license. The TEXAS DRIVER’S HANDBOOK, an instruction book of the rules governing operation of a car in Texas, is the suggested manual to prepare for the tests. You can get the Driver’s Handbook at any Department of Public Safety Office (see telephone directory). In order to obtain a driver’s license you also must present your social security number. If you do not have one, present your driver’s license  from your home country. The U.S. has treatise of reciprocity with a number of countries to accept driver’s license from those specific countries here. For more information on the list of countries please contact this Office.

The Department of Public Office address:

State Department of Public Safety
Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
2910 Paredes Line Rd. (926) 983-1920
Brownsville, TX 78521

The Department of Public Safety also issues a TEXAS IDENTIFICATION CARD for individuals who do not drive. The card costs $15.00 and a birth certificate must be presented to get the Texas I.D. Card. If the birth certificate is not in English, it must be accompanied by a “word for word” translation by a certified translator.

 

Mandatory Automobile Insurance
Texas law requires all automobile operators to be covered by “liability” insurance. You must carry with you proof of insurance (the actual insurance policy or an insurance card) to present on demand to any police officer. If you are caught in violation of this law, the penalty is a $175 to $ 350 fine for the first offense: $650 - $1,000 fine for the second offense. If you are convicted, you may have your driver’s license suspended and car registration taken away. Remember that liability insurance only covers the other person’s car – not your own car. To cover your own car, you must purchase “collision” insurance in addition to liability insurance. It is important to understand what your insurance covers, otherwise, an accident or theft could cost you a great deal of money.

PLEASE REMEMBER…

1. You will be required to show proof or liability insurance and a social security number before you can get a driver’s license, renew a license, obtain vehicle license plate or have your motor vehicle inspected
2. To own a car, the “Title” must be recorded in your name at the Texas State Department of Motor Vehicles in Austin, Texas. If you buy a new or used car from a car dealer, the , title will automatically be sent to you. If you by a used car from an individual, you will have to fill out a “title transfer” application.
3. You will have to pay an annual license fee for your car. This can cost from $40.00 to $80.00 depending on the year of the car. Once the title is recorded in your name, the Department of Motor Vehicles will send you the license application every year.
4. You are required by law to have an annual Texas State Inspection for your car. There is a sticker on the front left window of your car, which indicated the month your inspection expires. The inspection must be done before the last day of that month. Minimum cost $12.00 If there are any maintenance problems with the car, you will not pass the inspection until the car is repaired. If a Brownsville Police officer stops you because your inspection sticker has expired, you will be required to pay a fine
5. Seat belts must be worn by all passengers at all times. Children form infancy to two years of age must ride in approved infant car seats. Children from two to four years must either ride in a car seat or wear a seat belt. The fine for this violation is $200.00.
   
   

Public Transportation
Brownsville is the only city with public transportation system south of San Antonio. The city buses offer an easy and inexpensive means for resident and visitors alike to move around the city. The system operates six days a week, fourteen hours a day to provide transportation for the growing demands of the population. Brownsville Urban System (BUS) telephone # (956) 548-6050, Valley Transit Bus Co. telephone # (956) 546-2264. UTB students can purchase a student pass for the semester at a very, very low price at the DEAN OF STUDENTS’S OFFICE.