During the first weeks of the semester, the major credit card companies have displays in the Campus Center concourse where you can get information and fill out an application form. Remember to inquire about annual fees and interest rates, which vary from company to company. Driver's License To obtain a Massachusetts driver's license, you should contact a Registry of Motor Vehicles office. The nearest office to UMass is located in Northampton, at 241 King Street. After getting your driver's license, you may want to buy a car.
Many graduate students find a second-hand car affordable.
You can find many second-hand car dealers in the area offering a variety of used cars within a relatively wide price range. When you are buying a vehicle in Massachusetts, there are certain laws that protect you as a consumer. For more information about laws and regulations applying to the purchase of a car, van, or motorcycle, contact the Legal Services Center at the University. Also note that auto insurance is mandatory in the Commonwealth, as is vehicle registration. The American tax system is very complex, and for this reason you will probably need to seek professional help on questions concerning your tax status and filing your return.