I've been told (by both Co clerk's office and sheriff's office) that I can legally drive my pre-conversion 40' Thomas w/o any registration and w/o a CDL, as long as I have insurance and the paperwork (old title and bill of sale) to show that I legally own the bus and that I am in the process of converting it and plan to register as an RV once conversion is complete.
Background:
- Bus is titled in TN where it was retired from service in 2019
- I bought it from a dealer in western KY who delivered it to Louisville for me
- Got insurance through Progressive as a commercial vehicle for personal use
- I tried to register in VT as a motorhome, but was denied because the bus was still yellow (need to repaint and reapply)
- Don't want to repaint until after completing a roof-raise
- Need to drive the bus to get some conversion work (including roof raise & painting) completed, but I don't have a CDL (have no desire to get one), and don't want to go through the hassle of registering the bus under my name (requires sheriff's inspection in KY, addl fees, etc) pre-conversion unless I have to
I called the county clerk's office to learn the bear minimum that would be required to be legal while driving the bus around town pre-conversion. Was told that there was no need to register given that i) I would not be using the bus as a commercial vehicle and ii) I could not register it as an RV until conversion was complete.
As long as I had insurance and could show proof of ownership in the form of the old title and bill of sale, I could drive it w/o registration AND w/o a CDL.
I called the local sheriff's office to confirm, and was told (without hesitation) that what I had been told by the clerk's office was correct. I could legally drive w/o CDL or registration.
Anyone else been given the same guidance? Seems to good to be true.