Living in Grand Forks

Grand Forks is a city of approximately 50,000 people. Located in the heart of a rich agricultural area, at the fork of the Red Lake River and the Red River of the North, Grand Forks serves as a hub of agriculture, commerce, education, research, and health care for Northeastern North Dakota.

There are many indoor and outdoor recreational, cultural, and athletic activities throughout the year. The community offers the Alerus Center, the Ralph Engelstad Arena, the Grand Forks Symphony Orchestra, the Greater Grand Forks Master Chorale, the Fire Hall Theater, the Grand Forks County Historical Society and Myra Museum, the North Dakota Museum of Art and Hughes Fines Arts Center at UND, and many other cultural activities.

Grand Forks is a center of education, with 25 public schools and 7 private or parochial schools and the University of North Dakota. The excellent medical facilities include Altru Hospital, UND Family Practice Center, Grand Forks Clinic, Meritcare and Family Medical Center as well as many others.

It is very easy to travel in Grand Forks. There are city and UND buses that provide transportation on campus or around the city.

For information as to where to go for what to do in Greater Grand Forks see the Culture Pulse website. 

| Driving and Driver's Licenses | Vehicle Registration and Insurance | Vehicle Safety |

| Parking | Social Security Number |

Driving and Drivers' Licenses
You are allowed to drive vehicles in the State of North Dakota as long as you possess a current license in your home country or an international driver's license.

If you wish to purchase a vehicle or rent a vehicle, you will find that it is easier with a license from North Dakota or another state in the U.S. In order to obtain a North Dakota driver's license, you need the following documentation:

• your I-20 form
• your passport, vith visa and I-94 card

  AND EITHER

• your social security card

  OR

• a letter from the social security office confirming that you do not have a social security number

Bring the documentation and the required fees to:

North Dakota State Department of Transportation
Highway 81 North
(701) 795-3815

You will be required to take a written test, a vision test, and if you do not possess a valid U.S. driver's license, you will have to take a driving test. It is highly advisable to study for your written test and to practice for any driving test.

To obtain a North Dakota driver's license, you will have to surrender your current license. If you do not possess any driver's license, you will be issued a training permit and may not drive without a licensed driver in the vehicle until you have completed training and passed the driving test.

The current fees are as follows:

Written Test . . . . . . .$ 5.00

Driving Test . . . . . . .$ 5.00

Driving Permit . . . . . $15.00

Back to top

Vehicle Registration and Insurance
If you choose to purchase a vehicle in North Dakota, you must have a valid driver's license and accident insurance.

In Grand Forks there is a place to register your vehicle:

Grand Forks Vehicle Services
2915 South Washington Ave.
Grand Forks, ND 58201
(701) 772-1390

The State of North Dakota requires all owners of a vehicle to have automobile insurance. Each motor vehicle must carry a minimum of:

• Liability
  $25,000/accident per person $50,000/accident for bodily injury $25,000/accident for property damage
• Uninsured Motorist
  $25,000/person for bodily injury $50,000/accident for bodily injury
• Underinsured Motorist

$25,000/person for bodily injury $50,000/accident for bodily injury

• Basic No-Fault

$30,000 limit

Insuring a motor vehicle is very important and can be expensive. Be sure to find out the costs of insuring the automobile before purchasing it. Insurance rates vary from state to state and for different models It costs more for males under 25, and less for female drivers. When selecting an insurance policy, make sure that it includes the state requirements listed above.

For more information, contact the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Back to top

Vehicle Safety
If you operate a motor vehicle in Grand Forks, you must wear a seat belt at all times. Children 3 years of age and under are required to ride in a child or infant car seat that is properly strapped in. Children ages 3-10 must ride in a car seat or be properly belted in. Police can cite you if you are not wearing a seat belt and/or do not have your children properly secured in a child or infant car seat.

Back to top

Parking at the University
All students, faculty, and staff who use the University Parking facilities are required to register their vehicle with the UND Traffic Division. They will charge a parking fee and issue you a copy of the UND Parking Regulations.

There are two places for you to purchase your parking passes and pay any fines; the Auxiliary Services building on Campus Drive and in the basement of the Memorial Union.

Office hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Phone 777-3551 for information.

• Parking Fees
  Student . . . . . . . . . $50.00 (12 months-Sept. to Sept.)
  Faculty and Staff . ..$58.00 (12 months-Dec. to Dec. - beginning 12/2006)

Back to top

Social Security Number
International students are entitled to work up to 20 hours per week on campus during the semester and up to 40 hours per week during summer and winter vacation breaks. Students who are going to be working on campus require a Social Security Number in order to work. Please see your international student advisor to for a letter authorizing you to work on campus before you go to apply for your Social Security Card. This is required by the Social Security Administration.

Applications for Social Security Numbers can take up to a month to process, so please be patient. Anyone born outside the U.S. is subject to an immigration check before they can be issued a Social Security Card.

Please note: Social Security Numbers are only issued for the purposes of employment.

Back to top