Looking to get started in CA. Need help please!

[rymorris]

Manufactured in 9/05 as an 07 model?

Ya I see that. Maybe an 06 but 07 seems to be pushing it lol.

 

[rymorris]

talked to him...says been using on the road for three years or so....heaters working no ac does have tow hitch... used in southern states bible belt

Talked to the one on Craigslist? Thanks for being so proactive in helping us!

It is very much appreciated.

 

[magnakansas]

like the song says " Call me"

any time you like I am very available...... um might even be able to drive a bus to california..... That is why I asked some of the questions I did.

william

 

[rymorris]

any time you like I am very available...... um might even be able to drive a bus to california..... That is why I asked some of the questions I did.

william

Shot you a DM, William. Thanks!

 

[rymorris]

CA Emissions

Found this doc: https://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/onrdiesel/documents/multirule.pdf

The language isnt super clear if this requirement is for commercial/federal fleets only or includes individual private owners.

We will be heading to the DMV this week to figure out what we need to do to have a street legal bus in CA. Will post our findings once we have them.

 

[rymorris]

Just found this one as well which does reference private owners but just says requirements are different and not required to report....

https://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/onrdiesel/documents/FSRegSum.pdf

 

[magnakansas]

your exemption on diesel rv's

You should verify that this is correct and current. Do not stop with this only.
https://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/truckstop/tb/motorhome.htm

The way I read it.... you keep it registered as a bus .. you are going to have to do an engine change to a 2010 or newer engine....just depends when.

get it registered as an rv you are good to go.

you have a 5,000 mile per year low use rule for now as a bus, but that looks to be scheduled to go away by 2020.

that should clear the tucson ride.

also note the part about being a tow vehicle ... this thing already tows....

william

 

[rymorris]

You should verify that this is correct and current. Do not stop with this only.
https://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/truckstop/tb/motorhome.htm

The way I read it.... you keep it registered as a bus .. you are going to have to do an engine change to a 2010 or newer engine....just depends when.

get it registered as an rv you are good to go.

you have a 5,000 mile per year low use rule for now as a bus, but that looks to be scheduled to go away by 2020.

that should clear the tucson ride.

also note the part about being a tow vehicle ... this thing already tows....

william

Heading to DMV tomorrow to double check a lot of this and get guidance on moving permits and rv conversion (Inspections and such). Will post their response back here.

 

[aileendc88]

I went to DMV today to get clarifications. The person I talked to confirmed that if registering as a bus, regulation 2025 applies, i.e. must follow the engine upgrade schedule. Exemptions apply if registered as an RV home.

Temporary permit - one way only - needed to be purchased if driving a school bus. Fees approx $20.

I have more questions about certifications and requirements to register but the wait time to talk to the resource person was 3 hours! I was given a number to call but there is also a 2 hr waiting time! Next available appointment is a month away and I want answers! I'll try my luck at another DMV office.

 

[magnakansas]

farm country

Seems if you can drive an hour.. and get out to the "country" use a more rual office, two things seem to happen, less red tape, and answers.

william

 

[aileendc88]

I think so too. I've read other threads here and people have different experiences with different dmv offices. I called DMV again and the rep is not at all knowledgeable about CA requirements for registering a bus as an RV. She gave me another number to call but I can't get through

 

[magnakansas]

things that make you go hmmmmmmm..

Looks a lot like the kind of bus you are looking for..... What I found interesting, Emmett Idaho .. My dad used to live there, I now own a house there. I am going to up to check on some things in a couple of weeks.....
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1992-Navis...op=7&_pgn=5&_sacat=0&_nkw=bus&_from=R40&rt=nc

william

 

[magnakansas]

goes to show you

if you let one go, there is always another deal. Dont hurry, find what feels right for you.
https://topeka.craigslist.org/cto/d/good-running-bus-onlymiles/6666951745.html

http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f14/98-international-3800-diesel-dt466e-for-sale-or-trade-23422.html

 

[rymorris]

if you let one go, there is always another deal. Dont hurry, find what feels right for you.
https://topeka.craigslist.org/cto/d/good-running-bus-onlymiles/6666951745.html

http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f14/98-international-3800-diesel-dt466e-for-sale-or-trade-23422.html

Ya, we are finding several decent ones. But thanks a lot for keeping an eye out! Very helpful. If you find something you think is a unicorn, please let us know.

We called the number the DMV gave us and not a single person could answer our questions. Passed us around until they gave us another number to call.

That person just said to follow the registration guide we had, however, that says noting about conversions/inspections. The question we are trying to answer is about what we need to do to title the bus as an RV in CA.

We did find out that we can get a one way temporary pass to pick up a bus and bring it back to CA. Also, it was confirmed that the emissions law does not apply to private owned RVs.

Still looking, but we do hope to get our bus by the first week of September or so.

 

[magnakansas]

I think the first step

is to find the definition of "RV" first. Make sure you meet that definition second. Let's see what we can dig up.

https://www.dmv.org/articles/what-qualifies-as-an-rv-or-motorhome/



william

 

[magnakansas]

so far ..

so converted buses are class a RV, but I bet the van based chassis might be called a camper van, but that does not matter to you. So you would register as a class a RV. Now how do you deal with a title that says "bus" when is now an RV? You register an RV as you would a car.

william

 

[aileendc88]

Found some guides for licenses in CA

so converted buses are class a RV, but I bet the van based chassis might be called a camper van, but that does not matter to you. So you would register as a class a RV. Now how do you deal with a title that says "bus" when is now an RV? You register an RV as you would a car.

william

Ya, we found this guide from the CA DMV: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/wcm/connect/28423ba0-bba6-4347-9e21-db274e970772/dl648.pdf?MOD=AJPERES

This page has the same guide to class of drivers license in CA but has some picture examples which are helpful: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/cdl_htm/lic_chart

We found this bus but it is 27 k GVWR and single axle. Following the guides above I believe we wouldn't be able to drive this without a CDL: https://www.purplewave.com/auction/180821/item/DB9193

 

[magnakansas]

CDL class B

from the form you have listed the link to....... but another guide says non commercial class b.. my money is on this being correct...

looks like one very tough bus

I think if you set up an inspection time of 11 am I could drive there, spend an hour and still get back in time to pick up kids from school.

or make arrangements for some one else to pick up kids..... have more time to poke and prod.

hydraulic brakes, no air brake endorsement needed.

152" wheel base... my 1954 bus is 154" funny that big ol short bus is a shorter wheel base...

front shocks are not very old.. braking system is bosch/bendix hydromax

to me,from the pictures, this looks very clean.

william

 

[aileendc88]

It looks good and hits most of what we're looking for. But I don't think we can drive it without a CDL. Based on the DMV publications we read, in order to drive without CDL, the vehicle must be under 26k gvwr and 2 axle. So, we don't think we can get this bus.

 

[magnakansas]

hold up....

I think you would need a noncommercial class b.......... if that is the case... Why could you not get a non commerical class b license?

I am now thinking of getting a class b license so that I could drive buses to other people ....... like the situation you are in...

The test part is easy, finding a truck to take the test in.....


william