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Old 12-15-2015, 08:41 PM   #1
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dangers of driving this?

So im looking into buying this bus in a few days(after weeks of price negotiations may i add) and was wondering if there are any regulation/rules to driving something like this that i dont know of? its a 1997 bluebird tc1000





I dont have a CDL and i dont know if i will need one cause some of these tc1000 blue birds gvwr are under 16k and some are like 25k so idk, not sure about much to be honest but i posted a party bus link on here once and people told me to be careful when crossing state lines and to unplugg things(something to tht extent)/ not sure what they were talking about. also im driving this from from wisconsin to LA. any help or info would be great. also what should i get in term of insurance and registration and what should i watch out for... first time buyer, almost peed myself when we came to an agreement earlier today

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Old 12-16-2015, 12:21 AM   #2
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In California, you need a Class B with passenger and an air brake endorsement.
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Old 12-16-2015, 04:47 AM   #3
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In California, you need a Class B with passenger and an air brake endorsement.
I thought the CDL rules were national. If it is an RV title, your state may require air brake endorsement.
But for class:
0 to 18.000 lb = Class D
18.001 to 26.000 = Class C
26.001 + straight truck = Class B

So you would still need a CDL, but if it is 25k it should be Class C.

In this "right coast" people's republic, the legislature gave everyone with a class D drivers' license the privileges of non-CDL class C, or 26.000 not for hire with hydraulic brakes.

It's been years since I passed, but I think the air brake endorsement portion was a "multiple guess" written test. There were brake skills demonstrations as part of the CDL A or CDL B driving test, but I don't think that was part of just getting the endorsement.

You may also need a passenger endorsement written test depending on how many seats are installed.
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Old 12-16-2015, 04:56 AM   #4
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is it titled as an rv?
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Old 12-16-2015, 06:28 AM   #5
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(non commercial) In TN register as private vehicle and all you need is a regular license
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Old 12-16-2015, 08:26 AM   #6
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Registered in NJ as an RV, all you need is a standard Class D and no air endorsement
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Old 12-16-2015, 10:07 AM   #7
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In California, you need a Class B with passenger and an air brake endorsement.
Does that bus even have air brakes?

I've got a tc2000 that's about that short and it doesnt have air brakes.
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Old 12-16-2015, 10:09 AM   #8
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As far as licensing, you need to figure out the gvw and air or hydraulic brakes. Their should be a placard about the door or above the driver's seat with that info.

Insurance is a completely different matter. I doubt any company will insure that as an rv, regardless of what it is titled as. So your mainly looking a commercial insurance with private usage. You'll just have to submit the paperwork(which will likely reuire pictures) and see what an underwriter will sign off on.
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Old 12-16-2015, 10:18 AM   #9
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(non commercial) In TN register as private vehicle and all you need is a regular license

Same here in Texas.
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Old 12-16-2015, 01:53 PM   #10
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I was able to change title to RV by just signing an affidavid that states I did a full conversion and got RV plates. Insurance is same as any other RV here in Ohio. I don't have air brakes so that may be a snag.
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As far as licensing, you need to figure out the gvw and air or hydraulic brakes. Their should be a placard about the door or above the driver's seat with that info.

Insurance is a completely different matter. I doubt any company will insure that as an rv, regardless of what it is titled as. So your mainly looking a commercial insurance with private usage. You'll just have to submit the paperwork(which will likely reuire pictures) and see what an underwriter will sign off on.
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Old 12-17-2015, 01:21 PM   #11
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how about this one, its the same body and build at the first picture.
1998
Make:BLUE BIRD BUS
Model:BLUE BIRD VISION
Class:CLASS 3 (GVW 10001 - 14000)
Category:Bus, Passenger Van
Engine Make:Cummins
New/Used:U
Engine Model:5.9

need a cdl? no right
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Old 12-17-2015, 02:08 PM   #12
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That's not an RV. It clearly seats more than 9 plus the driver. This is for California. Every state is not the same. No air brakes, no endorsement. I'm looking at it from a California standpoint. The OP said LA. Is that Los Angeles or Louisiana?

Also, if commercial, Class B required for 26,001 pounds. This looks like a party bus to me.
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Old 12-17-2015, 04:54 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by crazycal View Post
That's not an RV. It clearly seats more than 9 plus the driver. This is for California. Every state is not the same. No air brakes, no endorsement. I'm looking at it from a California standpoint. The OP said LA. Is that Los Angeles or Louisiana?

Also, if commercial, Class B required for 26,001 pounds. This looks like a party bus to me.
I agree 100%. If you were stopped in ohio driving that thing, you would need a cdl with a passenger endorsement, regardless of what the title/registration/insurance says. It's equipped to carry people, not as an rv. And seeing as how cali is way more strict then we are, I imagine your problems will be worse. From my experience, an insurance company won't even consider insuring that as an rv. You could get commercial insurance for it but you'll have to see what that covers. Titling it as an rv shouldn't be hard. Some racers do that to their semi tractors to avoid federal licensing and fuel taxes. Whether or not it's legal depends on who you talk to and how they want to interpret the law.
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Old 12-24-2015, 04:07 PM   #14
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For CA, once it's re-titled to RV, a regular license will be all you need for anything 40 ft and under. Brown Crown is a 10 speed standard with air brakes and the regular license is good to go. Of course you should know how air brake systems work. If you plan to transport people for hire, then that's a whole different ballgame and you will be CDL all the way....as many have stated, the rules change from state to state.
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Old 12-24-2015, 04:29 PM   #15
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Out of state vehicle needs a VIN verification and inspection to convert title to RV. The bus in the first picture won't fly as an RV. Neither will a school bus.
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Old 12-24-2015, 04:32 PM   #16
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The OP still hasn't disclosed what state it is going to. At this point, I think any more input is a waste of time.
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Old 12-24-2015, 04:35 PM   #17
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I think your right Crazy Cal, let's just have a drink and celebrate Christmas Eve...Merry Christmas to you!
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Old 12-25-2015, 01:48 AM   #18
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Likewise, I've already started the drinking part.
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Old 12-27-2015, 09:08 AM   #19
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Federal CDL rules require a CDL if the vehicle can carry more than fifteen passengers in addition to the driver. It doesn't matter what the GVWR is of the vehicle.

In WA state, if the vehicle requires a driver to have a CDL to drive it you need to show proof of a USDOT number in order to get a license or license renewal.

Regardless of which state the original poster is purchasing the vehicle or where he plans to register it, if the vehicle seats more than 15 plus the driver (16 total) he will need a CDL to drive it and will be required to get a USDOT number. Those are Federal rules and apply nationwide.

If it seats 14-passengers plus the driver (15 total) or fewer all he will need is a regular driver's license.

If he is transporting his own personal vehicle across state lines with the intention to change the bus into an RV he will most likely not get into trouble. That is unless he comes across a real rule following enforcement officer who needs to generate some revenue for his jurisdiction.
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Old 12-27-2015, 09:14 AM   #20
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If it's an RV (with cooking, sleeping, etc modifications you can drive it with a plain ole drivers license. If it's a party bus it will most likely be subject to CDL requirements for non-modified bus operation as required for your specific vehicle.
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