Shuttle Bus CA Registration Question

[BZWaters]

First of all, if this issue has already been addressed elsewhere, I am sorry for bringing it up again and perhaps someone can direct me to a thread where this has already been asked (I am new here and this is my first posting, please be patient with the noobie).

I am looking to buy a shuttle bus to convert in California. I know this will take some time to do so my thought was (and basically my question)... Can I register my shuttle bus as Planned Non-Operation while I am working on it and then once it is complete (or complete enough for me to start using it) re-register as an RV? I figure it would be cheaper to do it that way (even if just by a little bit).

Any help on this is appreciated.

 

[john61ct-SKO]

You know about the VT mail order option?

 

[DeMac]

California Planned Non-Operational "cannot be filed for vessels and trailer coaches, which must be registered at all times regardless of use."

Read CA DMV PNO details here:
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handb...nned-non-operation-certification-pno-reg-102/

 

[Danjo-SKO]

What’s the GVWR? If over 14000 you may not register until it’s a MH on the title. If that’s the case I’d get on the phone with CARB diesel hotline and find out what options you have on the interim.

You may want to do a conversion the fast way to get the title change. Haha, a con-version. In CA it needs bed, toilet sink, stove. Go to a VIN Verifier for the title change instead of the DMV. And I’d talk to that ViN verifier on the phone to get a feel for what they’re going to want to see. The one i talked to expected everything to be done properly

 

[Danjo-SKO]

California Planned Non-Operational "cannot be filed for vessels and trailer coaches, which must be registered at all times regardless of use."

Read CA DMV PNO details here:
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handb...nned-non-operation-certification-pno-reg-102/

It’s not a MH yet

 

[Danjo-SKO]

You know about the VT mail order option?

I wouldn’t export the title for fear CA won’t allow the import. Diesel regs. A buddy of mine even had problems in the same scenario when he was in the military in the 90s. Had to pay import fees even though it was originally a CA vehicle

 

[Danjo-SKO]

And do you have insurance yet? Don’t do anything until you do! Call national General

 

[Danjo-SKO]

You know about the VT mail order option?

Let me elaborate on that a little. You don’t see it here a lot but there’s a few Vermont plates here. Another is to register it in AZ. IDK what people need to show there. My dad had a MH that he registered under his LLC in Montana. One time he got pulled over and the LEO said something like “oh, you live here, but your vehicle is registered out of state?” and wrote him up for improper registration. IDK what the exact wording was, but it was a fix-it and my dad just went in and showed his Montana registration and they signed it off.

 

[Danjo-SKO]

I’ve been assuming we are talking about a diesel. If it’s gas, I don’t see why you couldn’t go PNO, except you’re probably going to want to drive it.

 

[musigenesis]

What’s the GVWR? If over 14000 you may not register until it’s a MH on the title. If that’s the case I’d get on the phone with CARB diesel hotline and find out what options you have on the interim.

CARB also has a low-mileage exemption for vehicles driven < 1000 miles a year. That might be sufficient during conversion.

 

[john61ct-SKO]

improper registration. IDK what the exact wording was

Yes the law is X #days of the VEHICLE being in state must be registered in state.

But if you're just working on it, only occasionally on the road on the way to help with the work

and otherwise can keep it on private property out if sight

likely OK.

VT option is purely individual mail order no need for anything extreme like an LLC

 

[john61ct-SKO]

I wouldn’t export the title for fear CA won’t allow the import. Diesel regs

Even if already registered MH as an RV?

I don't think within the US, no penalty for other states

If the new diesel regs won't allow "import" they won't allow it as a CA vehicle.

Might need to "garage" it in NV

 

[Danjo-SKO]

Even if already registered MH as an RV?

I don't think within the US, no penalty for other states

If the new diesel regs won't allow "import" they won't allow it as a CA vehicle.

Might need to "garage" it in NV

IDK how the MH loophole works for imported diesels. We are talking about California, so I’d assume the worst

 

[Dirtdoctor]

Ok here’s what I did. Bought one at auction, insured it with my commercial truck policy - flew to Kentucky, drove it back as a bus. Tore out seats, installed sink, bed, curtains - went to DMV to register it as a motor home. DMV person didn’t even go inside to look, she piped her head in the door and said,ok. After registering it as a Motorhome my insurance dropped from $330/month to $45/month. 3 yrs later a chp gave me a fixit ticket for not changing the appearance of a school bus. That’s how we did it. But I have a CLASS A license.

Hope that helps.
Cheers.

 

[Danjo-SKO]

Titled in California and registered? What year? Did you smog it? Is it diesel? What’s the GVWR?

 

[Danjo-SKO]

What DMV office?

 

[Dirtdoctor]

26,000 gvw, diesel, 1998 Amtrans no smog
Hollister Ca DMV.

 

[Danjo-SKO]

Wow good job.