Hello from the UK and some questions

[UkRoadie]

Hello!

I'm 3 weeks from unemployment and I'm giving some serious thought to spending at least a couple of months travelling the US in some kind of converted bus or van.

I've got some concerns about whether I'll be able to legally buy and drive a converted bus, as I'll be able to drive in the states with a International Driving Permit but I won't be able to get a CDL (as it seems that I would need a permanent residential address).

If I were able to get a already converted skoolie that has been re-classified as a RV, do you still need to have a CDL? Or does that requirement no longer apply?

I've got my fingers crossed and I'm already looking at eBay, Craigslist and other sites for buses and van and LGV to convert. Can you tell I'm looking forward to it?

[somewhereinusa]

I can't speak to the International Driving Permit, most states do not require anything but an ordinary drivers license if the vehicle is registered as an RV. It would go by the state that the vehicle is registered and plated in. Also not sure how you would register a vehicle if you don't have an address. You'll have to do your homework, looks like you might be able to use one of the mail box places with the address of the store as your address. Do a search with this

can I register a vehicle without an address

Dick

[timbrass]

Originally Posted by UkRoadie

Hello!

I'm 3 weeks from unemployment and I'm giving some serious thought to spending at least a couple of months travelling the US in some kind of converted bus or van.

I've got some concerns about whether I'll be able to legally buy and drive a converted bus, as I'll be able to drive in the states with a International Driving Permit but I won't be able to get a CDL (as it seems that I would need a permanent residential address).

If I were able to get a already converted skoolie that has been re-classified as a RV, do you still need to have a CDL? Or does that requirement no longer apply?

I've got my fingers crossed and I'm already looking at eBay, Craigslist and other sites for buses and van and LGV to convert. Can you tell I'm looking forward to it?

One option would be to start down the process of hiring an RV in the US and see if they will accept an IDL. Presumably if you were allowed to drive a hired RV you would be able to drive one you had bought (i.e. a Skoolie now registered as an RV. Do you have a C1 (7.5 tonnes) or HGV license in UK? I suspect that if you showed a UK license that allowed you to drive the weight together with an IDL an American cop would just wave you on!