Making my school bus lose the "school"

Trail Fairy · 06-20-2018, 10:29 AM

Hi All,
We're in a rush at this time to make my school bus into just a "bus" so we can drive it as needed (I.e. - taking friends to a baseball game first week of August. Eek!) as it transitions (very slowly) to an RV. So, I'm going to register it as a "bus," but in Wisconsin this means it needs to lose anything that make it a "school" bus. The DMV is not being very helpful in giving me a list of exactly what needs to come off this bus to be legal. Obviously, new paint job that's not yellow. And, take off black school lettering, crosswalk bar, driver side stop sign, and strobe light on roof. Anything else you can think of? What am I missing?
Thanks much!

oredigger · 06-20-2018, 10:32 AM

The flashers at the top in the front/back.

Trail Fairy · 06-20-2018, 10:49 AM

Thanks again oredigger! Good thought!! (You're everywhere, aren't you? hahaha)

Trail Fairy · 06-20-2018, 10:51 AM

Do flashers need to be removed, OR can they just be disconnected and blackened in?

oredigger · 06-20-2018, 10:57 AM

haha, generally I'm just lurking. There is a lot of knowledge on this site and I don't have much experience yet so I leave it up to the experts.

They can be blackened. I've just got tape over mine for a temporary fix.

2martins · 06-20-2018, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trail Fairy

Do flashers need to be removed, OR can they just be disconnected and blackened in?

You don't have to remove them usually but its usually illegal to use them in the school flashing configuration. Some people change them to a different kind of lights but then some states require you to cover them like KC lights when you are on the road. Varies by state. If you can find a list of what a school bus MUST have, you can use that as a list of things you want to get rid of perhaps?

o1marc · 06-20-2018, 11:33 AM

The flashers need to be made inoperable. Some disconnect wiring, some leave them working but paint them black.
Believe it is legal to make them running and turn signal lights. The ones in the back of my bus will be replaced with bright headlights for back up lights. May do the same with the fronts on a separate switch.

Trail Fairy · 06-20-2018, 01:51 PM

This is ALL really helpful info, Everyone! I was interested in keeping them and have them be some sort of light for when we're outside at night... similar to a back porchlight/patio light. Although the turn signal is a fun idea.

oredigger, the black tape is a great temporary fix!

2 martins, finding a list of what makes a bus a school bus is brilliant (and yet somewhat obvious... why didn't I think of that?! Ha,ha)

01marc, so as long as they're not working as flashers, they can still be working? So the backup lights, "porch light" idea, signal lights all would work then. Awesome!

THANK YOU ALL!!

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