CA DMV Help

[flattracker]

When I took my first Crown (old Crown) to Cali DMV, all but one of the passenger seats had been removed, a bed constructed and installed, and a cook stove installed. The bus had been titled and registered in Washington State so going to DMV was to register it as a motorhome. They did inspect everything and agreed it was a motorhome. The person at DMV cheated me by backdating the paperwork. The bus had been kept in Oregon more than 2 months so they could not charge me for sales or use tax. I had purchased a trip permit to bring it into Cali so my part was legal.

 

[Danjo-SKO]

Keep in mind, this may pass DMV, surely not your insurance company.

But if you’ve got a diesel bus in CA you can get registered if the title is MH. Then you can drive it while doing your real conversion

 

[o1marc]

But if you’ve got a diesel bus in CA you can get registered if the title is MH. Then you can drive it while doing your real conversion

As long as you have proper insurance, which is way more important than registration.

 

[Danjo-SKO]

As long as you have proper insurance, which is way more important than registration.

Very true. In CA you can’t get registered unless it’s an RV, but I was able to get insurance without the conversion, so it’s helpful to make the title flip as soon as possible

 

[ChuckRatto]

If you have already had your final vehicle verification, in other words, its been physically verified by DMV or CHP that its a motor home not a commercial vehicle? If so, you might have one more step to go. CARB or Cal Air Resource Board has to verify its conversion. Currently, Motor Homes do NOT have to meet the more strict comml veh diesel requirements, but that could change any time govt feels like it. CARB has a special exemption on their website for folks who convert a bus. Their website will walk you thru the process. Then they are supposed to electronically transmit the OK to DMV. If you are lucky, you will get the sticker in the mail??? I've been about 2-1/2 mo waiting. Time to stand in line and inquire, I guess.

 

[LargeMarge-TC]

In my experience dealing with bureaucrats, older is better.
.
Youngsters straight from university are empty heads with a need to prove their 'value', so they are quick to deny
Denial is also a form of self-preservation -- if nothing happens, they cannot be blamed.
Fear is their motivation.
.
Accordingly, I shop my bureaucrats.
If one says 'invest thousands, hire engineers, wait decades', I politely say 'I may need to evaluate the entire project'... and walk away.
If the next says 'that other bureaucrat was clueless', I see the potential for us to work together.
Patience helps.
A sense of humor is essential.
.
.
Unless you intend to live in one area permanent, you might consider shopping a different state/country.

 

[firebuild]

Video on CARB Truck and Bus Regulation

I decided to make a video about the regulations because there seems to be some confusion (not necessarily here but it's a big internet).

 

[bus-bro]

A most informative video Firebuild. Thanks for posting it.