According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, there are more than four million miles of highway in the United States. As an F or M student, you can only drive on these roads by applying for a driver’s license. To apply, you must be in Active status in SEVIS and have the proper documentation for your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). It’s National Transportation Week, a good time to learn how to get a license without getting a headache:

First, speak to your designated school official to make sure your SEVIS record is Active.

Next, wait ten days after arriving in the United States to apply for a driver’s license so that your Form I-94, “Arrival/Departure Record” information is updated in all government systems.

You may also need to have at least six months of nonimmigrant status left on your Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Status” to apply for a driver’s license. This means if your program of study is less than six months long or if you have waited until the last six months of your program to apply for a driver’s license, you may not be able to obtain one.

Then, check with your state’s DMV to determine what documents are required to apply for a license. Some documents you may need to bring include:

• If your state requires it, a Social Security card or a Form SSA-L676;
• Your Form I-20;
• A valid passport with visa, if applicable;
• Proof of residence — check with your local DMV regarding what documentation they require; and
• Your Form I-766, “Employment Authorization Document,” if you are on off-campus employment or optional practical training.

Last, schedule a test at your local DMV. You may have to take both a driving test and a written test.

Once you pass the tests, if required, and submit all the necessary paperwork, an associate at the DMV will explain the next steps. You could get your license right away but in some states, you may also have to wait for several weeks or you may receive a temporary license.