We bought a bus (without a plan!)

JunkHunk&GypsyChic · 03-22-2017, 01:11 PM

We bought a bus on a whim. What were we thinking? But, we are excited to pick her up and start our conversion. Really glad to have found this site. Can anyone point me in the right direction/forum for more info on the legal way to get her home? We purchased in Michigan and have to drive it back to Ohio. Our driver has a CDL, but not sure what else we need to do. I don't think it will have a tag. Any info is appreciated. Did I say we are excited!!!!

EastCoastCB · 03-22-2017, 01:30 PM

what year is that bus? It looks familiar!

Robin97396 · 03-22-2017, 01:32 PM

Welcome.

That's a nice looking bus, and you've got basement storage. Don't even have to paint it.

Just like a used car. You'll need temp tags. Your current insurance policy will usually do for recent vehicle purchases, but check on how long you're automatically covered.

All you can do is talk to the DMV in your state and in Ohio, trying to be in compliance with both states. Others here may have similar experience from your area.

JunkHunk&GypsyChic · 03-22-2017, 01:41 PM

It is a 1997 Bluebird

JunkHunk&GypsyChic · 03-22-2017, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robin97396

Welcome.

That's a nice looking bus, and you've got basement storage. Don't even have to paint it.

Just like a used car. You'll need temp tags. Your current insurance policy will usually do for recent vehicle purchases, but check on how long you're automatically covered.

All you can do is talk to the DMV in your state and in Ohio, trying to be in compliance with both states. Others here may have similar experience from your area.

Thanks Robin. Hoping we have that clause

EastCoastCB · 03-22-2017, 01:50 PM

Best of luck, post lotsa pics when you get it home!

cadillackid · 03-22-2017, 02:19 PM

nice lookin rig!! wheres it going in Ohio?
-Christopher

JunkHunk&GypsyChic · 03-22-2017, 02:53 PM

We currently live in Sandusky, but we bought a beautiful piece of land in Peru Township (Huron County). 7 Acres on the river. This is where the bus will spend a lot of her time.

cadillackid · 03-22-2017, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JunkHunk&GypsyChic

We currently live in Sandusky, but we bought a beautiful piece of land in Peru Township (Huron County). 7 Acres on the river. This is where the bus will spend a lot of her time.

that looks like a GREAT place to set up the bus!!! just in time for spring!
-Christopher

Njsurf73 · 03-22-2017, 03:18 PM

Nice bus. Much luck! Think you have a great spot to enjoy it.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Robin97396 · 03-22-2017, 04:27 PM

Are you going to camoflauge it? Or perhaps it's winter camo and you're waiting for winter.

ol trunt · 03-22-2017, 08:19 PM

When I have trouble finding info on Skoolie.net I go to Google and type in what I'm looking for followed by /skoolie.net. Often this takes me just where I want to be in the forum. I put in "bus insurance in Ohio and came up with the following. Hope it helps. Jack

http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f18/st...nce-13533.html

JunkHunk&GypsyChic · 03-25-2017, 12:29 PM

I just wanted to thank everyone for the quick replies and links, and to also let you know that we got our bus home safely and without incident (although we took some risk). We did have a driver with a CDL, because we wanted to cover ourselves, since the laws are confusing. We called the State Highway Patrol from both Michigan and Ohio and both told us that we did not need a temporary tag, that we had 3 days from the date of purchase. I still felt uncomfortable with this, as I did not want any red flags or excuses to be pulled over, so we went to the MI DMV and they were crazy busy and not very helpful. They said if we had proof of insurance, we could have an "in transit" sticker, but they could not give us a temporary tag. Since we tried to get insurance (which was also a disaster), we just decided to go with our "new to you" 30 day clause in our current insurance policy (Although, this was only to appease the police. I really don't think we would have been covered, as the insurance company said it needed to be the same class of vehicle (who knows?). We passed about 5 police and held our breath. No one pulled us over. We even passed one in our own small little town without issue. So, not sure if we were just lucky...but this was our experience. We don't plan on driving her much, until she is converted (and even then not much unless our plans change), so we will worry about the insurance and other stuff later. We are in love with our bus, so any hassles will be worth it! The things you will do when you are in love...

JunkHunk&GypsyChic · 03-25-2017, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robin97396

Are you going to camoflauge it? Or perhaps it's winter camo and you're waiting for winter.

Not sure if we will just leave her white or repaint her. I am glad it is white though, so we can hold off on the decision. I really do not like school bus yellow.

Robin97396 · 03-25-2017, 01:51 PM

Good to hear you've got your bus home. I think you did very well getting a white bus, even if you didn't plan it that way originally.
It seems like the motor vehicles departments in both states didn't want to be very helpful.

I was eventually able to get a temp tag, but first I had to drive around in our state capital without plates. It turned out that the temp tag didn't even show through these dark tinted windows. Taking a few chances seems to be sewn into bus ownership.

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