Student Identification Card
Banking: Checking Accounts, ATM, Credit Cards
DMV: Driver License & California ID card
Student Identification Card 
Each SJSU student is required to carry a student Identification card
(SJSU student ID), also called a Tower card.
You are required to use this card as a student identification to obtain
services at the Library, Event Center, Santa Clara County Valley Transit
(buses & Light rail), Health center, Admissions & Records, Career
Planning and Placement as well as to obtain parking permits and other
frequently used student services.
For more info, Go to SJSU
Tower Card
Banking
Checking Accounts:
A checking account at a bank is essential in this country. It is convenient
and practical to write a check instead of paying cash when you do business.
Many business transactions require payment by checks. You may open a checking
account in almost any bank in the San José area. Sometimes, a small
monthly charge and/or a minimum balance is required for a checking account.
If you maintain a minimum balance in your savings account and have it
"linked" to your checking account, you may be able to avoid
a monthly fee on the checking account. You should establish an account
as soon as possible so that you may have easy access to your money for
initial expenses in the U.S. such as school fees.
Saving Accounts:
You may also wish to open a savings account if you have large amounts
of money. A savings account allows you to save and earn interest on your
money. There are several types of savings accounts. The two main types
are Money Market Account and Certificate Deposits (CD's).
Money Market accounts are designed for those with relatively large amounts
of money, such as $2,500 or more, to deposit. These accounts sometimes
earn a high rate of interest.
A CD is a type of savings account in which the depositor agrees to have
funds on deposit for a specific period of time, such as six months. The
only fees that are associated with CDs are penalty fees, charged for an
early withdrawal.
Popular banks in California: Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, American
Savings, Bank of Santa Clara and Washington Mutual.
ATM:
With either a checking or savings account you may ask for an Automatic
Teller Machine (ATM) card. This card will enable you to make deposits
or withdrawals at banking machines located outside banks and in other
locations. There are ATM machines on-campus at SJSU.
We recommend that you take precautions when using an ATM late at night.
Credit Cards:
Credit cards (MasterCard, Visa, and American Express, for example) are
also available through banks. These cards are used to purchase items or
services. At the end of every month, you will be billed for your monthly
charges. You may pay the entire bill or only a portion. If you pay only
a portion of the bill, an interest charge will be added to the remaining
balance.
Beware! Credit card companies charge high interest on unpaid balances
and this can be very expensive! Try to pay-off your full charges each
month.
DMV 
CALIFORNIA DRIVER'S LICENSE
If you study, work or establish residence in California and you want
to drive, you need to get a California driver's license. You do not need
a social security card to obtain a driver's license.
A driver's license is also useful for identification, for example, when
you cash a check or buy alcohol (in California you must be 21 years of
age to buy alcohol).
If you have an international driver's license, or a driver's license
from your country, you still need a California driver's license if you
want to drive. To obtain a license you will need to successfully pass
a written traffic law test and a driving test.
If you have a valid license from another state, you will still need to
get a California driver's license. However, you will only need to take
the written law test. You will not have to take the driving test.
Department of Motor Vehicles offices (DMV)
WWW.DMV.CA.GOV
In San José:
Address: 111 West Alma Avenue/ between Almaden Expressway and South 1st
Street.
Telephone #: 408/341-1350 - to obtain general information or appointment.
In Santa Clara: In Santa Teresa
Address: 3665 Flora Vista Avenue. 180 Mertinvale Lane
Telephone #: 408 / 277-1640 408/ 224-4511
In Mountain View: In Fremont:
Address: 595 Showers Drive 4287 Central Avenue.
Telephone #: 650/ 968-0610 510/ 797-0515
It's best to call for an appointment. If you don't have an appointment,
go early in the morning or plan for a long wait in line.
Steps for applying for a Diver's License:
- You do not need a Social Security number in order to apply for a California
Driver's License. You will need to get a letter from Social Security
office that verify you do not need a SS#.
- Before you apply for a California driver's license:
Pick up a Driver's Handbook from the DMV office. This handbook covers
all the CA traffic laws that will be covered on the driving test. You
can get the Driver's Handbook in English, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese,
Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
Study the handbook! You will probably not pass the test if you do not
study first!
- Make your appointment for the written test, or go on a day when you
have time to wait in line.
- On the day of your test bring with you the following documents:
Your passport or birth certificate, I-94 and I-20
A check payable to DMV (check with DMV for fees)
Your driver's license from your country or another state (if you have
one)
- Take the written traffic law test. If you pass the test, you will
take the eye test there. If you are required to take the driving test,
you will also receive a permit that allows you to practice driving to
prepare for the driving test.
- Make an appointment to take the driving test.
- When you take the driving test, take a car to the test. A driver's
license examiner will be in the car with you during the test.
If you do not know how to drive and want to learn, you can find driving
schools in the yellow pages of the telephone book. Look under "Driving".
CALIFORNIA IDENTIFICATION CARD
A California identification card can also be obtained in the DMV office.
You must bring your passport, I-94 card, and your I-20 with you when applying.
This is a useful I.D. for those who do not drive.
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