Office of International Services
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Transportation — USC OIS

[Photo] A cyclist and a pedestrian travel along a shaded, tree-lined campus pathway as bicycles and lush greenery frame the scene. Sunlight filters through the trees, creating a calm campus atmosphere.
    [Photo] A red campus shuttle bus with an illuminated destination sign reading “USC TROJANS” is parked at night as passengers board and ride inside. Cars, streetlights and nearby buildings surround the shuttle in an evening urban setting.

    USC Transportation

    USC Transportation offers an extensive network of free buses with service near both of USC campuses.

    [Photo] Students wait on a light rail platform as a train arrives at the station. Overhead signs read “Exit Exposition Bl./Trousdale Pkwy,” “Exit to Street,” and “Look for trains when crossing tracks,” with a Spanish translation below.

    Public Transportation

    Los Angeles’s public transportation system, LA Metro, includes an extensive network of buses, light rail trams and subway systems. USC students may obtain a U-Pass, allowing them unlimited rides on the metro’s rail and bus lines for any given semester.

    [Photo] An elevated view at dusk shows a busy street bordering campus, with cars traveling past academic buildings, parking structures and rows of palm trees beneath a pastel evening sky. Traffic signals, crosswalks and illuminated buildings frame the urban campus setting.

    Cars

    Cars are the most popular and convenient form of transportation in Los Angeles. Purchasing a car requires research, obtaining a driver’s license, getting auto insurance and making a large purchase. 

    If buying a used car, it is advisable to have it checked by a mechanic before making any agreement or payment. Before buying a vehicle, students and scholars should know their rights and responsibilities.

    Students and scholars who own cars and would like to purchase a USC parking permit should visit the USC Transportation website to view parking options on and around campus.

    [Photo] A person wearing a helmet receives guidance while standing on an electric scooter during a campus safety demonstration in a brick plaza. A safety information tent, trees and campus buildings are visible in the background.

    Bicycles, E-Scooters and Skateboards

    Bicycles, e-scooters and skateboards are a popular form of transportation at USC and are ideal for students and scholars who live nearby.

    Bikes, e-scooters and skateboards are allowed everywhere on campus except inside buildings; there are bike stands outside of many campus buildings. Bikes can be purchased from local new and used bike stores. When purchasing a bike, it is crucial to also buy a lock, as suggested by USC DPS.

    Special traffic rules apply to cyclists on and off campus, and it is important to be aware of them. Review the USC bicycle policy, the USC Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) bike registration and safety tips, the DPS’s suggestions for getting around campus safely and the Department of Motor Vehicles’ (DMV) rules for cyclists.

    [Photo] A red campus shuttle bus with an illuminated destination sign reading “USC TROJANS” is parked at night as passengers board and ride inside. Cars, streetlights and nearby buildings surround the shuttle in an evening urban setting.
    [Photo] Students wait on a light rail platform as a train arrives at the station. Overhead signs read “Exit Exposition Bl./Trousdale Pkwy,” “Exit to Street,” and “Look for trains when crossing tracks,” with a Spanish translation below.
    [Photo] An elevated view at dusk shows a busy street bordering campus, with cars traveling past academic buildings, parking structures and rows of palm trees beneath a pastel evening sky. Traffic signals, crosswalks and illuminated buildings frame the urban campus setting.
    [Photo] A person wearing a helmet receives guidance while standing on an electric scooter during a campus safety demonstration in a brick plaza. A safety information tent, trees and campus buildings are visible in the background.

    Students and scholars should obtain a California driver’s license if they plan to drive a car in the United States. A driver’s license is required to purchase a car and obtain auto insurance. The State of California does not recognize any type of international driver’s license as a valid form of driver’s license

    The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website outlines the process for obtaining a California driver’s license. Review the DMV’s educational materials for information on the written and driving skills tests, sample exams, safety videos and more.

    In the United States, a driver’s license is the primary form of identification. However, international students and scholars who do not drive can obtain a California identification (ID) card instead of a driver’s license.

    [Photo] An illuminated Gothic-style brick building stands at a city intersection at dusk, with traffic moving along the surrounding streets. The deep blue evening sky and glowing windows highlight the building's architecture.

    • You can start your application online and finish the process at a DMV office. There are application fees for original, renewal and replacement driver’s licenses.

    • To reduce your wait time at the DMV, schedule an appointment at a DMV office close to one of USC’s campuses. 

      OIS strongly recommends visiting the DMV office at 3615 Hope St. on Thursdays and Fridays after 1 p.m. If you are on the USC Health Sciences Campus, the nearest DMV is at 3529 N. Mission Road.

      You will need to bring the following documents to your appointment: 

      • Valid passport
      • Printout of the I-94 admission record
      • USC Form I-20 or DS-2019
      • Two residency documents, such as your apartment lease or a utility bill
      • If you are a J-1 scholar (research scholar, professor or short-term scholar), bring your Social Security card. J-1 scholars with paid or unpaid appointments at USC are automatically eligible for a Social Security number (SSN).
      • If you are a J-1 student, do not have an SSN and are not in the process of applying for one, mark on the DMV application that you are not eligible for an SSN and visit a Social Security Administration office to request a Social Security denial letter for DMV purposes. You are only eligible for an SSN if you have a job offer for authorized paid on-campus or off-campus employment.

    • At the DMV, you will:

      1. Prove your identity and provide proof of residency by presenting the documents listed above.
      2. Pay the nonrefundable application fee. Your application and fee will be valid for 12 months.
      3. Have your thumbprint scanned.
      4. Pass a vision exam.
      5. Have your photo taken.
      6. Pass the knowledge test(s). You are allowed three attempts to pass each of the required knowledge tests. If you fail the same test three times, your application is no longer valid and you will need to reapply. To allow for sufficient testing time, the DMV does not administer knowledge tests within 30 minutes of the DMV office closing.

      If you have problems with your application, record the name of the DMV employee(s) you spoke with and make an appointment with OIS for further assistance.

    • Most licenses will be issued within two weeks of the appointment. Wait at least 30 days before calling the DMV office to inquire about your application.

    F-1 and J-1 students must:

    • Be enrolled full time.
    • Have paid the I-901 SEVIS fee.
    • Wait patiently to ensure that their SEVIS record has been registered. SEVIS class registration takes place approximately one week after the add/drop period to allow OIS to confirm your final class registration for the semester.

    Failure to meet these requirements will result in significant delays and issues with your application.

    Students and scholars who have a driver’s license from their home country may be exempt from the driving skills test. The DMV requires that you present the originals of all immigration documents: passport, printout of your I-94 Arrival/Departure Record and I-20 or DS-2019. Your passport or I-20/DS-2019 cannot expire within 60 days of the application date. If these documents expire in less than 60 days, you cannot apply. Be sure to bring your driver’s license from your home country to present to the officer at the DMV, as it may exempt you from the driving test.

    Students on OPT who wish to renew their driver’s license are required to obtain a Social Security number (SSN). Without an SSN, the DMV will not approve the driver’s license extension. First, take your OPT EAD and F-1 documents to the Social Security office to get an SSN. Then take your SSN, EAD and F-1 documents to the DMV to obtain a license. You must also wait until the start date on your EAD to submit your driver’s license application for it to be accepted.

    Getting From the Airport to USC

    Social Security Number