Transportation

Bus (Columbia Transit)

• For information about Columbia Transit, including bus routes and fees, call 874-7282 or visit the Columbia Transit website.
• You may pick up a bus route map at 701 East Broadway or from the bus driver.
• Buses pick up passengers at points along the route that are designated with "Bus Stop" signs.

Taxi

• To find the names and phone numbers of taxi companies, look in the Yellow Pages under "Taxicabs."
• All cabs are metered, so the cost depends on the distance you travel. Ask the rate before hiring the cab.

Bicycle

• All bicycles must be registered and licensed with the City of Columbia. This can be done at any City Fire Station (call 874-7391) between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• Bring your bicycle to the Fire Station, fill out a registration form, and the license number will be stamped onto the front of the bike.
• Bicyclists must ride along the right side of the street and obey the same traffic regulations as motor vehicles.

Learning to Drive and Obtaining a Driver's License

• Before you try to learn to drive, you must have a learner's permit. You must pass a written test on traffic rules and a test of your vision in order to get a learner's permit.
• You may get a free copy of the Missouri Drivers Guide which contains the information you will need to pass the written test. Copies of the guide are available at Missouri License Bureau, (Department of Revenue, 1500 Vandiver, Suite 110, Columbia, MO 65202). Read and study the guide.
• If you have a license from another state, you should get a Missouri driver's license as soon as possible after moving here. You will need to take the written and vision tests and also a road test to get a Missouri license.
• Tests for both learner's permits and driver's licenses are given at 1500 Vandiver, Suite 110.
• After you pass the test, you will be issued a driver's permit.
• Please note: your US visa stamped inside your passport must be valid. You will not be issued a driver's license with an expired U.S. Visa.

Buying a Car

• Look under "Automobile Dealers" in the Yellow Pages, or look in the classified sections of the Columbia newspapers for owners who are selling their cars.
• Make sure you test drive the car and feel comfortable before buying it!
• A car is one of the few exceptions to fixed prices in the U.S. You can and should bargain for the price of the car. The advertised sticker price is only a starting point.
• Prices and models vary widely, so shop around before buying. If you do not want extra features, do not be pressured into buying them.
• Look in the Consumer Report's Buying Guide and Consumer Reports magazine at the public library for both new and used cars to check the car model's good and bad points.
• When buying a used car, it is often wise to have a mechanic not associated with the seller inspect the car.

Owning a Car

• The cost of buying a car includes sales tax, license fees, and inspections.
• The cost of maintaining a car includes insurance (INSURANCE IS REQUIRED BY LAW), fuel, repairs, and parking fees.

Licensing your Car

The State of Missouri administers a motor vehicle inspection program to assure the safe driving condition of all vehicles. This inspection is required to obtain or renew your license plates. To get your license plates:

• Have your car inspected by an automobile dealership or a garage/service station designated as an "Inspection Station." Make any repairs that are necessary to pass inspection.
• Within 60 days after the inspection, take the Inspection Certificate, the title to your car, and your Boone County Personal Property Tax Receipt for the previous year to the License Bureau on Buttonwood Drive. If you were not in Boone County the previous year, you need to obtain a "statement of non-assessment" from the Boone County Assessor (801 E. Walnut).
• Upon completion of your application, you will receive two metal license plates, which should be put on the front and back bumpers of your car. After your initial inspection, you will only get renewal stickers to be attached to the metal plates for the next year.

Car Insurance

If your car is involved in an accident that is your fault, you are legally required to pay for the damages. If the accident is not your fault, you may still have to pay to repair your own vehicle. Keep in mind the following types of insurance when making a selection:

• Liability insurance pays for damages you do to other people or to their car. This type of insurance is required by Missouri law. Not having liability automobile insurance is a misdemeanor and can be punishable by imprisonment for up to one year.
• Medical insurance covers the cost for injuries sustained by you or your passengers.
• Collision insurance covers loss or damage to your car resulting from a collision.
• Comprehensive insurance covers loss or damage to your car caused by fire, storms, theft or vandalism.
• If your car is of high market value, both collision and comprehensive insurance are important.
• Remember: It is against the law to drive without liability insurance.