kentucky here

[busnascar88]

getting ready to purchase our bus.. but having hell of a time trying to find information on transferring and registering it. I've read Vermont now wants a signed document from our states dmv stating that it doesn't have to be registered in current state of residence. how the heck we going to register it now.. I'm in Kentucky.

 

[Rucker]

Tricky.

Here's an old thread with lots of Kentucky discussion. Seems like KY might be one of the hardest (or least friendly) states to get 'er done.
https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f6/hello-from-southern-kentucky-16730.html and this one: https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f18/pre-conversion-and-unregistered-in-ky-that-simple-38257.html

I did a quick check of KY DMV regs and you might be able to have the local sheriff's office do an inspection and identify it as a Bus, if the current title information is not that.

Here's a little clip from the Fayette county clerk's website (https://fayettecountyclerk.com/web/vehicles/moreoptions/regtypes.htm):
'Non-commercial vehicles are used for personal use regardless of make, model or size. These vehicles are primarily designed for carrying passengers and having provisions for not more than nine (9) passengers, including the operator. Pickup trucks, SUV's and passenger vans will receive a standard issue license plate.'

I don't see requirements for converting to a motor home or RV like there are in other states, but I would at least pull the seats out so you can meet the above requirement.

Maybe: you might be able to use the application for title or registration to 'fix' your registration with an inspection from the local Sheriff (who would need to sign off on the form):
https://transportation.ky.gov/Organizational-Resources/Forms/TC 96-182.pdf

From my read, I'd mark 'other' for type of application, make sure the body style is bus and be prepared to provide a certified weight from any commercial truck scale that gives the actual bus weight.

You will not be able to get a 10,000 lb plate because buses and shuttle buses all are over that weight.

The vehicle clearly will not be a commercial vehicle, and that's a good thing because typically registration costs for commercial vehicles are based on weight. Also, insurance becomes problematic if the vehicle is commercial and not personal in the system.

I also found a local facebook group for Kentucky Skoolies here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1028386937620609/

Finally there's another couple who converted their bus in Kentucky and are active on Instagram-'thesouthernskoolie'. Check them out, and maybe reach out to see how they did their registration.

It's challenging, but nothing that dogged determinism and time can't fix.
Good luck, and let us know how things go.

 

[nikitis]

Another solution you may can do is trust someone on here to sell your bus to for $1 + fees to re-title in another state like South Carolina, then have them convert it to an RV in title. Takes like 2-4 weeks and pictures of the conversion process, then once it's titled as an RV have them sell it back to you for a small fee like $100. Kentucky would have to honor the title as an RV once it's titled as one from another state.