Cars & driving
Cars and driving: when you actually need a car in Jonesboro
Short answer: not in your first year. The city bus is free with an A-State ID, the grocery shuttle runs four times a week, and campus is walkable. But if you stay, take an internship or want to travel on your own schedule, sooner or later you will think about a licence, a used car and insurance.
GOJO city bus
Free with an A-State ID
Pilot programme
Through 15 Aug 2028
Network
5 routes · 9 campus stops
Grocery shuttle
Mon · Tue · Thu 4–7 pm · Sat 10 am–3 pm
Cars & driving
Living without a car
Jonesboro is a city of about 80,650 people with no rail transit and a modest bus network by big-city standards. For A-State students, though, the picture is much better: the GOJO city bus is free when you show your A-State student ID — a pilot programme running through 15 August 2028, with five routes and nine stops on campus.
Alongside it, the international student office runs a shopping shuttle on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 4 to 7 pm, plus Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm, stopping at Kroger, Aldi, Walmart and the Asian Food Market. A periodic shuttle to the markets in Memphis serves students who want to shop on a bigger scale. Between those two, most first-year students never need a car.
Campus itself is walkable: residence halls, classrooms, library, gym and dining are within a ten- to fifteen-minute walk. Uber and Lyft operate in Jonesboro for urgent or late-night trips. The real need for a car usually appears when you start an off-campus internship, work shifts outside bus hours, or want to reach Memphis and Little Rock on your own schedule at weekends.
You do not need a car if…
You live on campus, study full-time, work on campus and shop on the shuttle schedule. That describes almost every first-year student.
Start planning for one if…
You move off campus, take a CPT internship with a regional employer, have evening classes, or want weekend freedom without depending on friends.
The middle path
Carpool with classmates and split fuel, or rent a car by the day for longer trips. Far cheaper than owning a car you only use at weekends.
Source: A-State International Programs · City of Jonesboro · Updated 08/2026
An Arkansas licence: the general process
This is an outline so you know what to expect, NOT an official requirements list. Document rules for international students are set by the state and change over time.
- 1
Step 1
Gather identity and status documents
You will normally need your passport with visa, a valid I-20, a printed I-94, proof of an Arkansas address (housing contract or a bill), and a Social Security number — or, if you are not yet eligible for one, an SSN denial letter from the Social Security Administration. Check the current requirements with the Arkansas DFA before you go.
- 2
Step 2
Let your record appear in the federal system
Many students are turned away on their first attempt simply for going too soon after arrival. The usual practice is to wait at least ten business days after registering with the international student office so your SEVIS record is updated.
- 3
Step 3
Pass the written test and get a learner permit
The written test follows the Arkansas driver licence study guide — a free document you can download and practise with. The test is in English; study signs, speed limits and right-of-way rules carefully, as those are where students lose the most points.
- 4
Step 4
Take the road test
You need a legal car (registered and insured) for the test. If you do not own one, borrow from a friend or use a driving school. The test covers parallel parking, reversing, lane changes and intersections.
- 5
Step 5
Receive the licence and keep it current
A US driver licence is widely accepted identification — useful even if you never buy a car. Update your address whenever you move, and keep your passport somewhere safe rather than carrying it daily.
Source: Arkansas DFA — Driver Services · SSA — Social Security Number · Updated 08/2026
Buying a used car without getting burned
The US used-car market is enormous and most transactions are private sales between two individuals. That means nobody protects you but yourself. International students commonly spend $5,000–8,000 for a car reliable enough for regional driving — a widely quoted reference range, not a fixed price; cheaper cars usually mean higher repair bills.
Three things decide everything: the title, the vehicle history, and an independent mechanical inspection. Never hand over money before you have seen the original title in the seller’s own name and free of a "salvage" or "rebuilt" brand. Pay roughly $100–150 (an estimate) for an independent garage to inspect the car before purchase — far cheaper than a failed transmission.
After buying you must transfer the title, register the plates and pay sales tax at the state motor vehicle office within the required period. Most important: buy insurance before you drive the car away from the seller. In Arkansas, driving without liability insurance is illegal, and for an international student a serious traffic violation can affect your immigration record later.
Buying a used car without getting burned
- See the original title, in the seller’s own name — not a copy
- Match the VIN on the title to the VIN stamped on the car
- Buy a vehicle history report by VIN (collisions, flood, odometer)
- Pay an independent garage for a pre-purchase inspection (estimate $100–150)
- Test drive in town and on the highway; listen to brakes and transmission
- Sign a bill of sale with both parties and keep the original
- Buy insurance BEFORE driving the car home
- Transfer title, register plates and pay tax on time at the state office
Car insurance: the one thing you must not economise on
Arkansas requires every vehicle on the road to carry at least minimum liability insurance. Driving without it is illegal, and the financial consequences of causing an accident uninsured can exceed the entire cost of your degree.
| Factor | Impact on premium | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Age and years licensed | Very high | Under 25 with a new licence is the most expensive group |
| US driving history | Very high | International students usually have none, so premiums are high for the first year or two |
| Vehicle type and year | Moderate | Sports and high-power cars cost noticeably more |
| Deductible | Moderate | A higher deductible lowers the monthly premium but you pay more after a claim |
| Coverage level | High | Liability only (the legal minimum) is much cheaper than full coverage |
We do not publish specific premiums because car insurance depends entirely on your own profile: age, licence history, vehicle, address and driving record. Get quotes from at least three companies before deciding, and ask whether a good student discount applies — many insurers offer one.
Source: Arkansas DFA — Motor Vehicle · Updated 08/2026
Parking on campus
If you bring a car onto campus you need a parking permit displayed on the vehicle, and each lot type serves a different group (residential students, commuters, faculty, visitors). Parking in the wrong lot is the most common first-year mistake and it carries a fine.
Permit prices, registration steps and lot rules are published by the university each academic year. Contact the university parking office or our Vietnam office to confirm the current fee and procedure before you decide to bring a car onto campus.
Frequently asked questions
Should I buy a car in my first year?
Usually not. The GOJO bus is free with an A-State ID (pilot through 15 Aug 2028, five routes, nine campus stops), the grocery shuttle runs four times a week, and campus is walkable. Spend year one settling into your studies and revisit the question in year two.
Can I drive on my Vietnamese licence in Arkansas?
A foreign licence with a translation or an international driving permit may be accepted briefly for visitors, but the rules differ once you live and study in the state. Check the current requirements with the Arkansas DFA and ask the international student office before you drive.
Can I take the driving test without an SSN?
F-1 students receive an SSN only with authorised employment. If you are not eligible, the Social Security Administration normally issues a denial letter you can submit instead. This is a common route, but the exact requirement is set by the state — confirm with the Arkansas DFA.
How much does car insurance cost per month?
We do not quote a fixed number because premiums depend entirely on your age, years licensed, vehicle, address and driving record. International students under 25 with no US driving history sit in the highest bracket. Get quotes from at least three insurers and ask about a good student discount.
Where is it safe to buy a used car?
No channel is inherently safe; the process is what protects you. See the original title in the seller’s name, match the VIN, buy a history report, and pay for an independent pre-purchase inspection. If a seller refuses an inspection, walk away.
Is campus parking free?
The university runs a permit system by lot category. Prices and procedures change each academic year, so contact the university or our Vietnam office to confirm before bringing a car onto campus.
Want someone beside you through the paperwork?
Our Vietnam office connects you with current A-State students and supports you from before departure until you are settled.