NJ title and Registration

Patvan74 · 02-03-2017, 12:58 PM

Hey all
I just got off the phone with NJ state DMV . Here's what I found out about converting and title/registering your project
The following MUST be done :
1: No seats ( passenger seats must be removed)
2: No emergency lighting ( the alternating blinkers and articulated stop sign have to go)
3: Repaint ( bus can no longer be yellow and all signs that say school or school bus must be removed)
4: Permanent bed must be installed
5: permanent sink must be installed
6: permanent stove or cooktop must be installed

Now you have to have the original title placed in your name as a bus . You must also take color photos ( of all 4 sides and interior showing bed sink etc...) You must also get a certified weight slip ( need to get the bus weighed and documented)
Once you have accomplished all of this you must mail all of it ( copy of title is ok) and a $60 title fee to the Nj state DMV foreign title dept : in Trenton NJ
And that's it

Not4longNJ · 04-18-2017, 07:20 PM

Did you already do your reclassification? Im at that stage now

Patvan74 · 04-18-2017, 07:52 PM

No the bus deal fell through. I bought a 5th wheel trailer to tie me over

Not4longNJ · 04-18-2017, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patvan74

No the bus deal fell through. I bought a 5th wheel trailer to tie me over

Honestly, if i knew it was going to be this difficult to get insurance and registration i would have gone a different route. .. your bus falling through is a blessing in disguise !!! Im done with the conversion, spend months doing hardwood floors, solar panals, battery bank, shower, kitchen, wood stove, plumbing and as of right now its a paperweight. ... im literally looking for an easy state to do all this stuff, get a cheap room for rent (to establish residency ) and change all my info to that state.... only problem is ALL that states ive looked up so far require some form of smog check or vin check or whatever !!!! Total nightmare... i can register as commercial private through progressive but would need a cdl for a bus over 26k (mines 28k) AND THE CDL WAITING TIME IS 3 MONTHS !!!!! SCREWED !!!

Robin97396 · 04-18-2017, 11:34 PM

Would you be able to insure it as a van? Some states seem to even let you register it as a bus for private use, fitting for the Progressive private use policy.

I mean if you got no bus seats it's not technically a bus anymore, that is unless you still have seating for 16 people in there. Some people are registered as "station wagon" or "van" in my case. What can you call it in your state and still get insurance? You'll have to search that out so you don't have a 28,000 lb paper weight. Good luck.

Not4longNJ · 04-19-2017, 12:07 AM

I was thinking about getting the progressive commercial private policy and then quickly convert the title to rv and see if the dmv will register it as an rv with that policy... of course progressive would drop me as soon as they found out but i would be long gone from nj and get a new policy through national general.. the nj dmv is always hit or miss, sometimes i go and they dont even botber to check my paperwork. .. other times they go through everything ...i would hate to toss 500 on the policy just to get denied. ...

EastCoastCB · 04-19-2017, 12:10 AM

All I have to do here to change the title is submit a paper. They don't care about insurance as long as I have it. YMMV up there.

Not4longNJ · 04-19-2017, 12:16 AM

When i change the title to rv , does that show up when the insurance company does a vin check ? Progressive looked up my vin and said "yeah, we can insure that as commercial private " ... but i would need a cdl... i will have to get the title swapped to rv (i can do that part easy) insurance is my problem. ...

EastCoastCB · 04-19-2017, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Not4longNJ

When i change the title to rv , does that show up when the insurance company does a vin check ? Progressive looked up my vin and said "yeah, we can insure that as commercial private " ... but i would need a cdl... i will have to get the title swapped to rv (i can do that part easy) insurance is my problem. ...

Take the progressive policy, register it as a bus, then once you've got the conversion done try calling around and trying to insure it as an RV. You can always go change the title, but I'd do that last.
Here I don't have commercial tags. Just a regular tag, a commercial for private use policy, and both my buses are ok for me to drive with no cdl.
But I'm in FL, its all fairly easy here, other than getting temp tags for an out of state purchase.

Not4longNJ · 04-19-2017, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Take the progressive policy, register it as a bus, then once you've got the conversion done try calling around and trying to insure it as an RV. You can always go change the title, but I'd do that last.
Here I don't have commercial tags. Just a regular tag, a commercial for private use policy, and both my buses are ok for me to drive with no cdl.
But I'm in FL, its all fairly easy here, other than getting temp tags for an out of state purchase.

My conversion is done now. .. im looking to end the process and get on the road... just finished the last part of my build (painting the bus)... go5 my solar up, water running, i even took a nice hot shower today !!! Nit much fun in the driveway though haha...

EastCoastCB · 04-19-2017, 12:40 AM

It it were me I'd title it bus, get the progressive policy, pay it in full and hit the road.
No ones gonna think its anything but an rv/coach conversion in terms of law enforcement etc.
Have you tried Good Sam?

dan-fox · 04-19-2017, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Take the progressive policy, register it as a bus, then once you've got the conversion done try calling around and trying to insure it as an RV. You can always go change the title, but I'd do that last.
Here I don't have commercial tags. Just a regular tag, a commercial for private use policy, and both my buses are ok for me to drive with no cdl.
But I'm in FL, its all fairly easy here, other than getting temp tags for an out of state purchase.

Is RYO over 26K GVW?

Not4longNJ · 04-19-2017, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan-fox

Is RYO over 26K GVW?

Im not sure how all these people are being allowed to register full size busses (over 26k ) without an rv title. Its federal law that anything over 26k is cdl licence unless exempt under some status (farm equipment / rv ) im pretty much positive that the dmv in nj would shoot me down without a reclassification. ... or am i missing something ???

Not4longNJ · 04-19-2017, 11:29 AM

Going to the cat scale, i have a tow truck coming to take the bus there tomorrow morning.. WHEN IM DONE, IM POSTING A PDF FILE OF THE SLIP SO PEOPLE DONT HAVE TO PAY 500 BUCKS FOR TOWING !! RIDICULOUS !!

Scooternj · 04-19-2017, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Have you tried Good Sam?

Good Sam in NJ is Progressive RV.

Scooternj · 04-19-2017, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Not4longNJ

Im not sure how all these people are being allowed to register full size busses (over 26k ) without an rv title. Its federal law that anything over 26k is cdl licence unless exempt under some status (farm equipment / rv ) im pretty much positive that the dmv in nj would shoot me down without a reclassification. ... or am i missing something ???

AFAIK, if you're using a commercial vehicle for commercial purposes, yes you need a CDL. If you're not making money off it, you shouldn't need a commercial license. Nor will you need a USDOT number.

And honestly, as long as you're not doing anything stupid, the cops aren't going to care in the least.

maco144 · 04-19-2017, 12:53 PM

Good luck, please keep us NJ people updated.

EastCoastCB · 04-19-2017, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan-fox

Is RYO over 26K GVW?

No- my title has it at 18k, so I'm not complaining. IDK if it was a clerical error, but I'm cool with it. I have the paperwork if I ever NEED it, but no ones messing with me.
Even if it were 36k, I'd still leave it as is. Once its converted, it has a PRIVATE use ins policy, and non commercial tags, I'm good. no worries.

Not4longNJ · 04-19-2017, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

No- my title has it at 18k, so I'm not complaining. IDK if it was a clerical error, but I'm cool with it. I have the paperwork if I ever NEED it, but no ones messing with me.

Thats why there're not messing with you... in nj you cant just register the bus if its over 28k, they ask for your cdl .... buying a 2k policy is a waste if you cant get registered. ...

EastCoastCB · 04-19-2017, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Not4longNJ

Thats why there're not messing with you... in nj you cant just register the bus if its over 28k, they ask for your cdl .... buying a 2k policy is a waste if you cant get registered. ...

That's weird... Here I could buy and register and own a semi... Even if I don't have a cdl. doesn't mean i can legally drive a semi, but I could own and register it and pay someone to drive it.

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