Alternative Transportation 
Taxicab
The average costs for a ride from Davidson to the Charlotte International Airport is $40.00.
Destiny Transportation Services @ 704-875-0430
Lake Norman Limousine Service @ 704-892-8879 Shuttle Bus
The Union provides a shuttle service to and from the airport during almost every extended break. Check with the Information Desk or look for posters as the break approaches to reserve your place on the shuttle. The cost is approximately $10 each way. Bus
There is a public bus system that has routes throughout the greater Charlotte area. An express bus runs from Davidson into Charlotte (route 77x) and loads in the parking lot one block from campus. There is also the Village rider bus system (route 96) that students can use to reach local shopping areas and restaurants. More information and routes. Car Rental
If you meet the age restrictions, it is also possible to rent a car for trips. Different companies have different age and license requirements. You will need to call a specific rental agency and ask. There are a number of car rental agencies in the area and the International Student Office staff will be happy to help you find such an agency. Bicycle
Some students use bicycles for transportation in the immediate area. The Charlotte area buses are equipped with bike racks. You must wear a helmet if you ride a bike. Hint: DIA and the International Student Office sponsors some off campus trips to ethnic restaurants, international festivals and the like. If you need transportation for a trip to the doctor or dentist, ask your friends, your Hall Counselor, Host Family, or the International Student Office. It is possible to make arrangements to travel during a school holiday. There are several good travel agencies that we can recommend to assist you as you make reservations. It is recommended that, when you travel within the U.S., you carry copies of your immigration paperwork. It is possible to travel by airplane, train, or bus. All three modes of transportation can be accessed in Charlotte. IMPORTANT: Do not leave the country unless you have asked the International Student Advisor to sign your I-20 form. You need the travel endorsement signature to go through customs when you return to the United States. If you go abroad, talk to the International Student Advisor about your I-20 before you leave. Driving in North Carolina
All international students who have their native country’s driver’s license can drive in North Carolina. This means that if you can drive a car back in your home country and possess a valid driver’s license, then you can legally drive in North Carolina. There is no time limit for this rule. If you are a four-year student here, you can use your driver’s license anytime during this four-year period if it is current. The State of North Carolina does not require an international driver’s license. But, if your driver’s license is written in any language other than English, then it is strongly recommended that you get an international driver’s license. If you get pulled over by a police officer, and the officer does not understand what is written on the license, they might tow your vehicle to the nearest police station and detain your car. This problem can be avoided if you have an international driver’s license. If you want to drive a Davidson College vehicle for an organization or office, then you need to get a North Carolina driver’s license. In addition to the NC license, you are required to be certified by the campus as a “certified” driver. This involves taking a written test and a driving test. Most international students choose between two types of NC driver’s licenses. The “fleet” license does not require a student to purchase individual insurance in order to obtain the license. However, you can only drive company or rental cars that have insurance. The normal driver’s license requires proof of insurance prior to obtaining the license. Note that all the above laws apply only to North Carolina. Once you cross the borders of North Carolina, these laws are no longer valid and you might be prosecuted for driving illegally under a different state law. Please visit http://www.ncdot.org/DMV/ for more information. Car Insurance
There are two different types of insurance coverage on a car: Liability coverage: If a collision occurs and you run into another car, this form of insurance coverage only pays damages for the car you ran into, and not for your own car. The premium for this type of coverage is small compared to the comprehensive coverage; therefore, making it a lot more affordable. Comprehensive coverage: This type of insurance policy covers both cars involved in a collision. Since both parties in the collision are protected, the premium for this coverage is much higher than the liability coverage. A collision can be extremely costly. If you have permission to drive a friend’s car, please remember to ask about insurance coverage. Otherwise, if a collision occurs and it is your fault, you might have to dig deep into your pockets to pay for the repairs. This is not a joke because the repairs are costly and might run into thousands of dollars (Think of the number of work-study paychecks you would have to sacrifice!). This is a SERIOUS matter; please do not DRIVE CASUALLY! IMPORTANT: If you are caught driving an uninsured vehicle, you will have your driving privileges revoked by the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles.
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