THE ESSENTIALS

DRIVERS LICENSE

To obtain a Texas driver’s license, which is legally required after 30 days of residency, an out-of-state newcomer must (I) apply for a license at one of the many Department of Public Safety testing stations; (2) produce a certified copy of his or her birth certificate or a valid out-of-state driver’s license; (3) pass a written examination; (4) pass a driving skill lest if the out-of-state license has expired; (5) undergo an eye test to determine if corrective lenses are needed; (6) be 18 or older. Persons 16 or 17 years of age may be licensed only if they have completed a certified driver-education program, are enrolled in school, and have attended at leas) 80 days of the previous school semester, For hours and locations, call 226-5370.



VEHICLE REGISTRATION

Out-of-state vehicles may be registered for Texas license plates at substations of the county tax assessor’s office, which are located throughout Dallas County; To establish Texas residency, you must (1) have your vehicle’s serial number verified through an inspection at a service station or car dealership; (2) surrender your out-of-state title; (3) apply for registration within 30 days of moving here; and (4) pay a $15 new residents’ fee, plus a $10 title fee and the cost of your license plates (based on the model year for can and gross weight for trucks), which are required on the front and rear of your car, for more information, call 653-7621.



AUTO INSPECTION

All vehicles registered in Texas must be inspected for safety every 12 months. The fee for an inspection sticker, which Is applied to the Iower left-hand corner of the windshield and shows the number of the month in which the inspection was performed, is $8.50 for car models up to 1974, $14.50 for car models from 1975-1979, and $17.25 for 1980 and newer models, plus the cost of any repairs necessary to bring the vehicle up to established safety standards. Inspection stations are located at various service stations, dealerships, and garages.



VOTER REGISTRATION

You must (1) be an American citizen: (2) be 18 years of age; and (3) have a permanent residential address within Dallas County. Miter registration can usually be handled by filling out a form and returning it at least 30 days before an election to the Election Department, Records Building, 500 Main St., Dallas 75202. For more information, call 653-7871.



TAX EXEMPTION

Every homeowner living within an independent school district In Texas has the right to claim an exemption of $5,000 per year of the total assessed value of his house. Optional homestead exemptions may be offered by individual city or county governments. To qualify, you must have title to the property on January of the tax year and reside in (he house. An affidavit claiming the homestead exemption must be filed with the Dallas County Appraisal District. For more information, call 631-4910.



POST OFFICE

For zip code information, call 647-2996 between 8 a.m. and 5 p,m. weekdays, For general information, call 741-5508 between 8 a.m. and 5 p,m. weekdays.



DALLAS MAPSCO

It’s not just a map of Dallas streets, it’s a bible for Dallasites new and old. MAPSCO is published in book form and is reissued and updated each January. MAPSCO is sold at office supply companies, bookstores, and selected grocery and drug stores. Suggested mail: $19.95. Call 521-2131 for more information.



RESOURCES

Our recommended reads to help you feel at home here. All are available at area Taylors and Bookstop locations. A Book Of Texas Bests ($8.95) by Kirk Dooley Dallas USA ($995) by A.C. Greene City file, a rofodex directory of 475 Dallas phone numbers and addresses ($28) by Metro Piles Inc.

Discover Dallas/Fort Worth ($995) by Virginia and Lee. McAlester Hidden Dalits (112.95) by Kirk Dooley

How To Cet A Job In Dallas/Fort Worth ($15.95) by Thomas M.

Camden and Nancy Bishop

PlacesTo Go With Children In Dallas & Fort Worth ($795) by Joan Jackson and Glenna Whitley

Snort Trips In And Around Dallas ($1195) by Laura Trim



TRANSPORTATION

For information on city bus routes or Hop-A-Bus, which services downtown Dallas, call DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) at 979-1111.

The Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, 574-6720, provides service for most major airlines. Dallas Love Field Airport, 670-6080; Addison Airport, 248-7733; and Dallas Red Bird Airport. 670-7612. also service the area.



TIME AND TEMPERATURE

Call 844-(any four numbers) to obtain the correct time and temperature.



WEATHER REPORT

For weather information on Dallas/Fort Worth, call 787-1111; for the rest of the country, call 787-1701.



HELPFUL NUMBERS

Emergency-Police, Fire, Ambulance…911

Dallas City Council Offices…670-4050

City Manager’s Office…670-3302

Mayor’s Office…670-4054

Consumer Protection Action Center…744-3600

Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan Dallas…220-2000

City of Dallas Municipal Court Information Center…747-3800

State Highway Department…320-6100

Texas Highway Patrol…226-7611

Housing and Neighborhood Services…670-3615

Dallas Park Department…670-4100

County Clerk…653-7131.

Street and Sanitation Department…747-2600

County Assessor-Taxes…653-7011

Broken Water Mains…670-8543

TO Electric…653-1311

Lone Star Gas Company…741-3750

Baler Department…651-1441

Water Department-Emergencies…744-5005