Transportation

If you wish to be able to drive right away when you come to the U.S., it would be a good idea to get an International Driver's License before you leave your home country. An International License cannot be obtained once you arrive here, and may be used only temporarily until you go get your Minnesota license, within 10 days after arriving.

To obtain a Minnesota Driver's License you must take both written and driving tests. To find out when the timed tests are offered, call the Driver and Vehicle Licenses Office in Roseville (2701 N Lexington Ave) at 651-490-2294. You should obtain the Driver's License Manual from the Driver and Vehicle Licenses Office prior to taking the test and study it well. Some traffic laws here may vary from what you are accustomed to in other countries. When you go to take your written and driving tests, be sure to bring your passport, I-20, I-94, and UNW ID card with you.

DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, DRIVE WITHOUT A VALID DRIVER'S LICENSE! THIS WILL GET YOU INTO SERIOUS TROUBLE.

A UNW campus van service (the Shuttle) is available to transport students around campus and within a short radius of the campus daily. The complete schedule of stops is available on the Rock (Not available during summer). There is no cost for this service. More information about the shuttle pick up times can be found here.

The public transportation system in the Twin Cities is called the Metro Transit. It consists of a bus and light rail system serving Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the surrounding suburbs. To obtain information regarding detailed maps of specific routes, service times, major bus stops and fares call 612-373-3333 or visit www.metrotransit.org.

How to Ride Metro Lines

To learn how to ride the Metro busses and light rails, watch this video.

Fares

Prices for riding city buses or the light rails are subject to change. Specific prices are listed online at www.metrotransit.org or when calling 612-373-3333 for information. You may use cash or buy a Go-To card. The peak fare times are weekdays from 6–9 a.m. and from 3:30–6:30 p.m. These time periods are known as heavy traffic times.

Taxicabs

Taxicabs in the Twin Cities are fairly expensive and therefore not recommended as a primary mode of transportation. For short trips, there is a minimum fare posted in the cab.

Uber and Lyft

Uber and Lyft are transportation service companies offering car rides, food delivery, and bicycle-sharing through mobile apps. The transportation services are charged based on the distance you travel with the Uber and Lyft drivers. You can find the Uber and Lyft applications in the App Store or Google Play Store on your mobile device.