Do I need a passenger endorsement?

[BusHippie]

Ok I'm a truck driver so I have a Class A CDL. If I buy a school bus and have to drive it 500 miles home from the place I buy it am I technically supposed to have the endorsement since its not been legally converted to a RV?

[crazycal]

I wouldn't think so. Maybe put some Out Of Service signs in the window.

[Tango]

Most states can issue a "Transit" plate or sticker for that purpose with no other requirements. At least they do in Texas.

[BusHippie]

Alrighty. I might put a call into the state DOT that I'm licensed out of just to see what they say.

[crazycal]

I wouldn't sweat it but if it makes you feel better.

[BusHippie]

Originally Posted by crazycal

I wouldn't sweat it but if it makes you feel better.

Normally I wouldn't worry about it. But for us commercial drivers license holders it's a different story. We have what's called a CSA scoring system attached to our drivers license. Getting a citation such as not having a proper endorsement for the vehicle being driven is some major points and affects my current job and ability to be hired elsewhere.

[BusHippie]

So I talked to Illinois Highway Patrol and they are saying I need a School Bus endorsement to bring a bus home. He said one way to avoid this would be to have the capacity plate changed to 15 or less. I'm sure hundreds of people never have a issue with getting stopped. But with my luck I'd be the poster boy.

[jake_blue]

Same boat, Class A holder, I'm wondering what changing the capacity plate would matter b/c even LEOs can count higher than 15 seats. Just a thought, contact Midwest Transit in Kankakee and ask them if they use temporary transporter plates or something that lets them import and export buses through IL. I find it hard to believe every bus they move is being driven on a P or S endorsement.

[BusHippie]

I contacted the DOT in Missouri also for a second opinion. I'm originally from there. The officer I spoke with said that any other officer with common sense should not give me any issues being the title would be in my personal name. Along with everything on the bus being blacked out. Although he did say that if you are in a for higher position such as a drive away company that they do have to have a passenger endorsement for all buses.

[turf]

i dont think you'd get a ticket for passengers if you have none.

[jake_blue]

I suppose that makes sense about the driveaway company part. I also suspect Missouri is slightly more common sense than Illinois in these sorts of things. @turf, yeah you'd think not but its about the vehicle passenger capacity and not the current occupancy.

[Ironwindow]

I know this is a few months old, but just in case anyone else reads into it. The federal regulations on school buses was completely changed in October of 2015, so the laws in these states might have changed too. I know in NC for me to even be able to hook a school bus up to my tow truck I'm required to have a school bus endorsement now.