Living in Hanover Without a Car
It is do-able, but can be quite inconvenient. If you choose not to buy a car, make sure to live within walking distance from the college or an Advanced Transit bus stop. If you need to rent a car, Dartmouth has Zipcars located on Campus and we have RideShare channel in slack for anyone who needs a ride to any of our DCPDA events! For additional information and transportation options, see the Traveling in the Upper Valley page.
Parking on Campus
Check with your department once you arrive for the parking options available. http://www.dartmouth.edu/~fom/services/parking/info/employee.html
DCPDA tip: Be cautious when driving in the Upper Valley. Students sometimes forget there are cars on
the roads and, in many areas away from campus, there are no sidewalks.
Driving in the Snow
There is a good chance you’ll have to drive in the snow as not all of the nearby amenities are within walking distance. Fortunately, most towns (including Hanover) are good about clearing the roads and maintaining safe driving conditions. The same is true for Interstate highways. However, if there has been a big snow “dump” or if it is actively snowing while you drive, there may be snow on the road. For more information, check out the Weather in the Upper Valley page.
How to Drive in the Snow:
- Bear in mind that when driving on snow you must go slower, break gently if at all, accelerate gently and leave plenty of room between you and the next car.
- Even when the roads appear clear, there can be “black ice” - which is really dangerous because you can’t easily see the ice on the road.
- Practice: when the first snow comes down, it might be a good idea to take your car out on a (very!) short drive, to practice snow-driving.
What You Should Own:
- If you are purchasing a car, many people prefer four-wheel or all-wheel drive for the winter. Front wheel drive is okay as long as you have winter tires. You’ll see that certain brands are very popular around here.
- Winter tires: have them put on your car sometime around October or November.
- Keep an emergency in-car kit: a snow shovel and an ice scraper, blanket, and flashlight.
- If the temperature is below 32F (0C), you should start your car several minutes before you intend to drive off, since the engine will be very cold.
DCPDA tip: It is becoming more common that drivers are cited by police for failure to remove snow and ice accumulation from their cars/trucks.
Buying a (Used) Car
If you don’t know much about cars this can be a painful process but there are a lot of
good resources to help. Once you have bought a car, you’ll need it to be inspected, registered
and you will need to get insurance.
Resources
- Dartlist: People from the Dartmouth community often sell their cars here.
- Kelly Blue Book: KBB will tell you a price range you should expect for a used car; also has information about dos and don’ts
- Consumer Reports: Good advice on car makes and models and the ins and outs of buying a car.
- General guidance on how to buy a car can be found here and additional resources for international postdocs can be found here.
DCPDA Tips:
- Know what you want and what you want to pay! It is very easy to get talked into features that you don’t want or need. Keep the cold weather in winter in mind (see section below “Driving in the snow”)
- Check Craigslist and Dartlist for cars. Sometimes you can be lucky and buy a car off someone who is just leaving. Or buy from someone you know!
- Local car dealerships are of course an option too, but it helps to know in advance what you want. If you can, go with someone who knows about cars.
- If you have a specific car in mind, check out its Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and look at the service and accident history of the car. Click here for information on how to find a vehicle's VIN.
Vehicle Registration
Once you move to New Hampshire or Vermont, you have 60 days to register your car with the town/city office. If the vehicle is newer than 15 years old, you will need to provide a valid certificate of title.
NH: https://www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/dmv/registration/vehicle.htm
VT: http://dmv.vermont.gov/registrations
- After your car is registered, you have 10 days to have the car inspected by an authorized garage (e.g., the one near the Hanover co-op).
- Inspection will cost approximately $60; prices are regulated and should be on open display at any garage that does them. You will receive a windshield sticker indicating the vehicle is safe for travel.
- The car will need to be re-inspected yearly and a new sticker will be applied.
Applying for a Driver’s License
Your original license will only be valid for the first few months of being a resident in NH or VT, and you will be required to obtain a local driver’s license. U.S. residents should contact the New Hampshire or Vermont DMV for more information.
New Hampshire DMV: nh.gov/safety/divisions/dmv
Vermont DMV: www.dmv.vermont.gov
Driver’s License for International Postdocs
Make sure you go to the right DMV (you’ll have to go to Concord if you live in NH); it makes a difference if you are a resident or a non-resident alien. This is different from getting your social security number (which you you’ll get from NH → OVIS) International postdocs must obtain a New Hampshire or Vermont license, depending on state of residency. You will need to travel to the DMV to complete driving test requirements. Be prepared to present your previous driver’s license, passport, visa, a copy of your driving record, and proof of residency in New Hampshire or Vermont. Check the links above for specific details on the documents that will be required for Vermont DMVs.
For NH residents: You will have to go to Concord for your license:
https://local.dmv.org/new-hampshire/branch/concord
If you are moving from another state in the US but still have your home-country license, check out the requirements of getting a VT or NH license compared to the state you’re currently living in. In some states you might be able to simply swap your license (depending on your nationality) and in others you will have to do a test. Check this before you move.
NH: https://www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/dmv/driver-licensing/non-us-citizen/temporary.htm