Connecticut RV Requirements And Moving The Schoolie Before Conversion

[WCT13]

Hi everyone, I am new to the schoolie community but have been wanting to buy a school bus to convert for quite some time.

I am trying to navigate the ins and outs of trying to make sure everything will be legal and not require extra licensing. I have talked to Lane inspection and the DMV several times but it is difficult to get a straight answer. I'm hoping there are some CT schoolie folks here who are familiar with the laws.

My plan is to buy something in the 30-35 Ft. range (to fit my driveway), and to keep it below 26k GVWR to avoid any licensing issues.

Question 1: If registering as an RV, is an air brakes endorsement needed for a bus with air brakes?

Question 2: CT requires a 'door' and 'bed' (among other things) to have the bus reclassified as an RV.
I would prefer to leave the school bus door and box off the middle of the bus as the RV portion. Would having a wall with a door meet the door requirement?
I would like to keep the bed as small as possible. Either a fold up cot or a couch that unfolds into a bed. Would this meet CT inspection requirements?

Question 3: Many of the busses available are out of state. I believe the bus needs to be declassified in the state it was originally a school bus. Is thus correct?

Question 4: One of my concerns is the drive back from wherever I pick the bus up. How can I do this legally? Can I get a temporary plate and print it out? Can I use the sellers plates on my own insurance? It may still technically be a school bus/commercial vehicle, can I even drive it without a CDL?

Thank you in advance!

 

[s2mikon]

My experience dealing with DMV people in 5 states is they are just plain STOOPID. Contact a state police officer and ask him or her. He should be able to explain it from the enforcement side, and that is where the rubber hits the road.

 

[Thurmond1317]

My experience dealing with DMV people in 5 states is they are just plain STOOPID. Contact a state police officer and ask him or her. He should be able to explain it from the enforcement side, and that is where the rubber hits the road.

I'd second that. I was only able to register mine as a non-commercial school bus because I wasn't prepared enough, but after months of them not letting me put it in my name I was fine with anything. Find the law online and follow their wording. Then you'll have ammo to shoot down whatever bs they try to give you.
Or you can just jump around to different DMV/DOLs, eventually they'll help you. Took quite a few tries at a bunch of different buildings before I found someone who would help. Then keep them and only go to them for assistance.

 

[Cannabus]

I'd second that. I was only able to register mine as a non-commercial school bus because I wasn't prepared enough, but after months of them not letting me put it in my name I was fine with anything. Find the law online and follow their wording. Then you'll have ammo to shoot down whatever bs they try to give you.
Or you can just jump around to different DMV/DOLs, eventually they'll help you. Took quite a few tries at a bunch of different buildings before I found someone who would help. Then keep them and only go to them for assistance.

Call the state DMV. Don’t waste your time talking to inspectors and most people at the local DMV do not have experience with skoolies.

Buy the bus. Head to the DMV. Register it as personal non commercial so it’s legal on the road. Get insurance for non commercial personal use. A CDL isn’t needed to drive it. Doubt CT is different.

Hi everyone, I am new to the schoolie community but have been wanting to buy a school bus to convert for quite some time.

I am trying to navigate the ins and outs of trying to make sure everything will be legal and not require extra licensing. I have talked to Lane inspection and the DMV several times but it is difficult to get a straight answer. I'm hoping there are some CT schoolie folks here who are familiar with the laws.

My plan is to buy something in the 30-35 Ft. range (to fit my driveway), and to keep it below 26k GVWR to avoid any licensing issues.

Question 1: If registering as an RV, is an air brakes endorsement needed for a bus with air brakes?

Question 2: CT requires a 'door' and 'bed' (among other things) to have the bus reclassified as an RV.
I would prefer to leave the school bus door and box off the middle of the bus as the RV portion. Would having a wall with a door meet the door requirement?
I would like to keep the bed as small as possible. Either a fold up cot or a couch that unfolds into a bed. Would this meet CT inspection requirements?

Question 3: Many of the busses available are out of state. I believe the bus needs to be declassified in the state it was originally a school bus. Is thus correct?

Question 4: One of my concerns is the drive back from wherever I pick the bus up. How can I do this legally? Can I get a temporary plate and print it out? Can I use the sellers plates on my own insurance? It may still technically be a school bus/commercial vehicle, can I even drive it without a CDL?

Thank you in advance!

Call the state DMV. Don’t waste your time talking to inspectors and most people at the local DMV do not have experience with skoolies.

Buy the bus. Head to the DMV. Register it as personal non commercial so it’s legal on the road. Get insurance for non commercial personal use. A CDL isn’t needed to drive it. Doubt CT is different.

Find a bus around 30’ or less. Less headaches finding a place to turn around, park and some parks have length limitations

If CT actually requires a different I’ll be surprised. If so you need it to convert to RV and only then.

A bed is any place you can sleep including just a mattress without frame.

Here in Jersey you need a sink and bed and repaint over the yellow.

Good luck

 

[nikitis]

Question 1: If registering as an RV, is an air brakes endorsement needed for a bus with air brakes?

Answer: Shouldn't. It's kind of a loop hole. Though I would take the time to understand how to do a pump down test and should it fail get it looked at before driving. And also know to keep the air pressure gauge above 60 and should be around 90PSI to 120 PSI at all times when driving. If it's not get it looked at.

Question 2: CT requires a 'door' and 'bed' (among other things) to have the bus reclassified as an RV.
I would prefer to leave the school bus door and box off the middle of the bus as the RV portion. Would having a wall with a door meet the door requirement?
I would like to keep the bed as small as possible. Either a fold up cot or a couch that unfolds into a bed. Would this meet CT inspection requirements?

Answer: This depends on your demeanor when it's inspected. Some states will just take your word for it, if it's required to be inspected by a police officer or someone, if they question if the blow up mattress is legit, you simply state, the law clearly states a bed, and this is a bed to sleep on. Don't embellish your words, keep it simple and state it's function. I've seen people get away with a coleman stove for states that require a stove, and a bucket with a toilet lid mounted to it for a toilet for states with a toilet requirement. Just state that these are my current items. If the inspector questions it state to him well, it doesn't state in the requirements it must be a luxurious bed, stove, or toilet etc. And these items are what the law states are required. He should legally be qualified to pass it and sign the document needed for the DMV. If a sink states it must be mounted, then you can't use a desk with a bowl unless the bowl is bolted to the desk, and the desk bolted to the floor then it could pass. So pay attention if something must be "Mounted"

The normal schoolbus door should be all that is required for the door. Your rear door should also suffice. shouldn't be an issue. Never heard of it being an issue.

Question 3: Many of the busses available are out of state. I believe the bus needs to be declassified in the state it was originally a school bus. Is thus correct?

Answer: Not sure what you mean by declassified. If you mean declassified as a bus, no. Most take the bus to their home state, and and request a new title in that state, then start the RV request after that title is given. Some DMV's may let you convert at the same time, but some may want you to get the title changed to their state first, then do the change over. I'd ask them if you can do the conversion at the same time.

Question 4: One of my concerns is the drive back from wherever I pick the bus up. How can I do this legally? Can I get a temporary plate and print it out? Can I use the sellers plates on my own insurance? It may still technically be a school bus/commercial vehicle, can I even drive it without a CDL?

Answer: You can legally drive the bus with the original plate from the seller. Ask him if you can use it for the trip home. This should keep the police off of you, and is what most people do. As long as you carry the Bill of Sale with you from the seller. You MUST have a bill of sale even if it's hand written and signed by the seller it's fine as long as it's labeled "Bill of Sale" at the top, and has his signature with him stating he's selling you the bus. If stopped you show this to the officer and explain you just purchased the bus and are driving it home to your state. As for insurance, your current insurance plan likely would cover you in a trip home, but contact your insurance. It's no different than your insurance covering you in a rental car. But contact them anyway and ask if you need any temporary insurance while driving.

As for plates if the seller insists on taking the plate, you can in the state you buy the bus pay for a temporary travel permit and have this with you in case you get stopped without a plate. You only need this in the state you purchase it from.

Question on CDL Requirement:
a 30ft bus should be around 25,500 GVWR. As long as the vehicle is under this value you do not need a CDL. This is typically an 8 window bus or smaller, but some 8 windows could be slightly over if they have a heavier rated front axle. typically 90's 8 window are under this GVWR, but 2000's buses are not and you would need a 7 window or smaller as they have a heavier front axle.

Hope that helps.

 

[Mr P]

Connecticut Vehicle Registration - Fees, Inspection, Renewal and More

 

[WCT13]

Thank you nikitis!

I am much more confident on the limitations now, and they are much less restrictive when converting to an RV.
My original plan was to register it as a commercial truck, but there are definitely more restrictions/licensing required for that.

I will make sure the GVWR is less than 26k Lbs., and everything else is workable. Thank you sir!

 

[ewo1]

Hi everyone, I am new to the schoolie community but have been wanting to buy a school bus to convert for quite some time.

I am trying to navigate the ins and outs of trying to make sure everything will be legal and not require extra licensing. I have talked to Lane inspection and the DMV several times but it is difficult to get a straight answer. I'm hoping there are some CT schoolie folks here who are familiar with the laws.

My plan is to buy something in the 30-35 Ft. range (to fit my driveway), and to keep it below 26k GVWR to avoid any licensing issues.

Question 1: If registering as an RV, is an air brakes endorsement needed for a bus with air brakes?

Question 2: CT requires a 'door' and 'bed' (among other things) to have the bus reclassified as an RV.
I would prefer to leave the school bus door and box off the middle of the bus as the RV portion. Would having a wall with a door meet the door requirement?
I would like to keep the bed as small as possible. Either a fold up cot or a couch that unfolds into a bed. Would this meet CT inspection requirements?

Question 3: Many of the busses available are out of state. I believe the bus needs to be declassified in the state it was originally a school bus. Is thus correct?

Question 4: One of my concerns is the drive back from wherever I pick the bus up. How can I do this legally? Can I get a temporary plate and print it out? Can I use the sellers plates on my own insurance? It may still technically be a school bus/commercial vehicle, can I even drive it without a CDL?

Thank you in advance!

Read post #9 for info ...

CT registration is easy

In CT as long as the bus was previously registered in state, there is no inspection. The bus is registered as an RV using the the standard H-13 form. The GVWR doesnt matter. The requirements for the RV conversion dont really matter since the DMV takes your word for it, but they are a fire...

www.skoolie.net

 

[WCT13]

Thank you ewo1, sounds like they are pretty relaxed about the whole thing.

After calling the inspection lane, they said I would need to have it inspected to have is decommissioned as a school bus by Dattco/DeVivo, and then reinspected by the inspection lane to have it registered as an RV.

He said it was a pretty throughout inspection, checking lights, brakes, tires, and if a short list of RV related items were permanently installed (no bungee cords, tie wraps, etc.).

I will definitely try that route first and see if I can skip the inspections.