Driving in the U.S.
If you plan to drive in the U.S., you must have a valid driver's license that is either a Standard driver’s license/ID or a REAL ID driver’s license/ID. For more information on applying for either one, visit the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) website.
Since July 1, 2023, eligible residents in Massachusetts can obtain a Standard (Class D or M) driver's license, regardless of immigration status, under the Work and Family Mobility Act.
If you do not plan to drive in the U.S. but would like an alternate form of identification that you can use instead of your passport for common transactions, you may apply for a Massachusetts State ID or Liquor ID
Standard Driver’s License
If you plan to drive in the United States, and you reside in Massachusetts, you may want to apply for a Standard Driver’s License (granted for 5 years) regardless of immigration status.
Detailed information on how to apply for a Standard Driver’s License can be found on the Massachusetts RMV website. Students and scholars who live in states other than Massachusetts should consult that state’s Department of Motor Vehicles or Registry of Motor Vehicles website.
Standard Driver's License vs. REAL ID
While the REAL ID will be required for U.S. domestic air travel in 2025, in most cases international students and scholars can continue to use their passport for U.S. domestic travel. For this reason, the Standard Driver’s License is the most useful to international students and scholars.
Registry of Motor Vehicles Locations
The closest RMV offices to Brandeis are in Watertown and Boston. Additional information about hours of operation and other locations, may be found on the RMV website.
Registry of Motor Vehicles
Watertown Mall
550 Arsenal Street
Watertown, MA
Registry of Motor Vehicles (Boston)
Haymarket RMV Service Center
136 Blackstone St. Boston, MA 02109
Driving on a Foreign License
Foreign licensed drivers from any country are allowed to drive in Massachusetts, as long as they meet the requirements listed on the RMV website. If your foreign license is not in English, you may need to get an International Driving Permit or a translation of your license document into English.
Drivers from certain countries may also be able to convert a foreign driver's license to a Massachusetts driver's license without taking a driving test.
Public Transportation
Brandeis Shuttle/Van Service
Brandeis provides a free shuttle service to and from Waltham, Cambridge and Boston! Check out the Van and Shuttle Service Schedule.
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)
There is an extensive public transportation system in the Boston area. Detailed schedules, maps and fares can be found on the MBTA website.
Commuter Rail
The MBTA Commuter Rail is the fastest way to get from Brandeis to Cambridge and Boston. The Fitchburg Line stops at the Brandeis-Roberts Station on South Street. You can buy your tickets in advance via MBTA mTicket, the MBTA mobile ticketing app. Frequent commuters should consider buying a Commuter Rail Pass.
Subways
The MBTA subway system (referred to as the “T”) consists of five transit lines — Red, Green, Orange, Blue and Silver. You can save money by getting a Charlie Card instead of single use subway tickets. The closest T stops to Brandeis University are the Porter Square T stop (on the Red Line, which connects to the Fitchburg Commuter Rail line) and the Riverside T stop (on the Green Line).
Buses
There are several MBTA bus routes that travel through Waltham and to the Boston area in addition to the Brandeis shuttles. You can use the Transit app to find the nearest bus stop and see bus schedules.
Zipcar
If you have a driver's license but prefer not to buy your own car, you can rent a car through Zipcar, which is a car-sharing network. Brandeis has several Zipcars on campus, parked near Stoneman Infirmary and Public Safety.
- Open to students, faculty, staff and international drivers age 18 and over
- Discounted university rates by the hour or day
- Gas, insurance, maintenance and up to 180 miles/day included
- Great for grocery shopping, a quick errand or weekend getaway