Pennsylvania Registration

[RDC]

Has anyone out there registered their bus in Pa as a private bus/truck or RV? What is required for a motorhome conversion title and who has to inspect the work? The Pa State website is not clear at all nor does it spell out what has to be done to get a title as a motorhome. They used to have a form but no more, call the DMV? good luck getting a person on the phone. My local tag agent wasn't much help either. Looking for a Skoolie who's run the gauntlet.
Thanks, Doug
85 Chev 366 Wayne

 

[beekay-SKO]

Try form MV-426B as a starting point. I think you "modify" the vehicle from a bus to a motorhome. I also remember a different form requiring pics and 4 of 6 additions like separate heating/ac, cooking, bed etc. The vehicle needed to be inspected by a licensed rv inspector. I bought my bus already with a "motorhome" title. I was able to avoid this wonderful step. Let us know how you make out. Good luck.

 

[beekay-SKO]

I found this from the MV-426B directions:
"Vehicle Type - If the vehicle type is a mobile home, "mobile home" should be specified in the "Other" block.Mobile homes do not need to be inspected by an enhanced vehicle safety inspector and an inspection sticker does not need to be affixed to Form MV-426B. A detailed description of how the mobile home was reconstructed must be attached to your application along with interior and exterior photographs. Your application must be signed by a certified document reviewer and forwarded to PennDOT for processing."

Can it be that they actually eliminated a step from the old form? I would attach receipt copies of everything I put in along with pics. I would verify that mobile home means motorhome. I have no idea what a "certified doc reviewer" is but they sound better to deal with than an "inspector."

I found these directions which specify modifying from bus to motorhome:
http://www.dot10.state.pa.us/pdotforms/ ... -recon.pdf

 

[CMORGANSKOOL]

Registering now. Pa MV41 and $53 is all it takes. No conversion necessary to get a plate.

 

[johnbloem1974]

I think we found a winner for the oldest resurrected thread! 2007!! Nice!

John

 

[PNW_Steve]

It does seem that some do actually use the search function.

 

[CMORGANSKOOL]

I think we found a winner for the oldest resurrected thread! 2007!! Nice!

John

Lol I guess no one has had any registration questions for Pa since 07. My Skoolie is now officially registered and insured. No inspection or conversion required.

 

[o1marc]

Lol I guess no one has had any registration questions for Pa since 07. My Skoolie is now officially registered and insured. No inspection or conversion required.

Registered and insured as what? Who's your carrier?

 

[CMORGANSKOOL]

Registered and insured as what? Who's your carrier?

Registered as a Motorhome and insured by Allstate for $500/Yr.

 

[#1FordFan]

Registering now. Pa MV41 and $53 is all it takes. No conversion necessary to get a plate.

I’ll add for Ohio folks.
All you have to is sign a form that your
Bus OR truck is RV and no longer commercial and you get Motohome title.
No Inspection required.

( I can’t remember if I signed the form at the DMV (plates) or at clerk of courts office (title))

 

[o1marc]

I’ll add for Ohio folks.
All you have to is sign a form that your
Bus OR truck is RV and no longer commercial and you get Motohome title.
No Inspection required.

( I can’t remember if I signed the form at the DMV (plates) or at clerk of courts office (title))

What do you do for insurance when the insurance company says it doesn't meet the requirements for a MH policy?

 

[PNW_Steve]

What do you do for insurance when the insurance company says it doesn't meet the requirements for a MH policy?

It may not be an issue. I have insured three unfinished conversions "commercial for personal " while the conversion was in process. All registered as RV.

I asked my insurance company and they had no problem at all.

However, things do vary by state and carrier.

 

[o1marc]

It may not be an issue. I have insured three unfinished conversions "commercial for personal " while the conversion was in process. All registered as RV.

I asked my insurance company and they had no problem at all.

However, things do vary by state and carrier.

I understand that, kind of takes the importance of converting the title to RV/MH away if you don't insure it as an RV till it's done. I thought the point was to title as an RV as it is cheaper to insure than a commercial policy would cost.

 

[PNW_Steve]

I understand that, kind of takes the importance of converting the title to RV/MH away if you don't insure it as an RV till it's done. I thought the point was to title as an RV as it is cheaper to insure than a commercial policy would cost.

We're in WA, if it is titled as a bus and has a GVRW of over 26k lbs you must have a CDL.

If you title it as an RV you avoid that requirement. Also, if you title as RV on your first visit to the licensing office you avoid a second visit.

In WA, RV registration is much cheaper than commercial vehicle.

When my conversion is done, I send pictures to my insurance company and they change me to RV insurance and my rates drop. They do require a complete conversion before insuring as as RV.

 

[o1marc]

We're in WA, if it is titled as a bus and has a GVRW of over 26k lbs you must have a CDL.

If you title it as an RV you avoid that requirement. Also, if you title as RV on your first visit to the licensing office you avoid a second visit.

In WA, RV registration is much cheaper than commercial vehicle.

When my conversion is done, I send pictures to my insurance company and they change me to RV insurance and my rates drop. They do require a complete conversion before insuring as as RV.

My problem is here in Ga. State Farm, my carrier will not insure it till it is converted. If i were to be able to title it as an RV now State Farm would not insure it with out the conversion completed. My title just came finally so I will update the registration process shortly.

 

[PNW_Steve]

My problem is here in Ga. State Farm, my carrier will not insure it till it is converted. If i were to be able to title it as an RV now State Farm would not insure it with out the conversion completed. My title just came finally so I will update the registration process shortly.

Asked my secret insurance consultant (Wife), who has 30+ years in the insurance business in four states about your circumstance.

She was of the opinion that they should be able to insure you as "commercial for personal" but your local may not be familiar with it.

She suggested that you ask your agent to call the State Farm regional office and ask them about it.

I am assuming that you have your home & auto with State Farm. If not, they are unlikely to get bus insurance from them.

Good luck!

 

[#1FordFan]

What do you do for insurance when the insurance company says it doesn't meet the requirements for a MH policy?

What anyone would have tto do find a company that will insure your vehicle.

I admit my truck conversion doesn’t suffer from the “was any part of your vehicle or was it a former school bus?”
I got that question when I told them I built my own motorhome.

 

[Nerys]

Does this mv41 forum work if it already has a PA title? So if I'm buying it from another person in Pennsylvania?

 

[o1marc]

Pa. gives you 20 days to register your car.

 

[o1marc]

I’ll add for Ohio folks.
All you have to is sign a form that your
Bus OR truck is RV and no longer commercial and you get Motohome title.
No Inspection required.

( I can’t remember if I signed the form at the DMV (plates) or at clerk of courts office (title))

I think the DMV hasn't the time to check everything you tell them when it comes to body style and weights. I'm sure most states cover their backside by having a clause at the bottom of the form you sign that says something to the effect of:

"I/We hereby certify under penalty of law that ALL information is TRUE and CORRECT and that I/we understand that any misstatement of fact is a misdemeanor of the third degree punishable by a fine up to $2,500 and/or imprisonment up to one year (18 Pa.C.S. Section 4904)."