**Please Note: This Article has been archived and may no longer be current. - Please view the newest version of this Tutorial by clicking Here.
No. You don't. However, you might need a CDL to move the bus from where you purchased it to where you will be keeping it or doing your Build, and certain states may require a special license or endorsement based on the size and weight of your Rig (see below). In either event, you need to be educated on how and why you don't need a CDL, and where and when you can drive a School Bus without one.
The Commercial Driver's License Law went into effect in 1992, and was designed to create a National Standard for Commercial Motor Vehicle Operating Laws. Prior to that the laws and licensing requirements varied from state to state. Sadly, certain states and locales still enforce the laws slightly differently, and it can be very confusing. - Let's sort it all out.
There are 3 Main Classes of CDL. Here is the break down:
Class A: – Tractor/Trailers with a combined weight rating (GVW, GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, or any rig towing a trailer in excess of 10,000 pounds.
Class B: – Any single vehicle with a GVWR/GVW of 26,001 pounds or more, not towing a trailer in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR/GVW.
Class C: – Any single vehicle that does not meet the definition of Class A or Class B, designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or carrying hazardous materials. (Some states will Classify “Class C” as Class B / Passenger, or Class B / HazMat.)
In any event, if your rig has a GVWR less that 26,001lbs and wasn't deigned to haul 16 passengers, You do not need a CDL. - If you are converting a smaller Box Van or 14 Passenger Shuttle Bus, you are golden! You would only need a CDL to operate this vehicle if you were using it for Commercial Purposes*, typically in another state. - The GVWR is usually listed on a sticker, inside the driver’s door.
Once your Rig has been Converted, Titled, and Licensed as an RV you are no longer “Commercial” (The “C” in CDL) and, thereby, do not need a Commercial Driver's License. However, if your vehicle's GWVR is 26,001lbs or more, you may have to explain this to a judge. - The laws are actually a little vague, and a local police officer might write you a ticket out of misunderstanding. In most cases, this is resolved simply by showing the officer (or judge) the vehicle registration, specifically the part that says “Recreational Vehicle” or “Motorhome”, and explaining (politely) that you are not engaged in Commercial Activity.
You can have a look at the FMCSA Website if you'd like more info, or buy the book to carry with you.
*You do need to remove or cover any and all references to Commercial Activity, “School”, or “Church”, Company names, DOT Numbers, Interstate Commerce Stickers, etc. - Until you do, you are still operating a Commercial Vehicle. - Additionally, certain states have an issue with “School Bus Yellow” as a color, so it's a good idea to paint. Technically, the Color Law is pursuant to the state where the vehicle is registered but, “better safe than sorry”.
Ironically, certain States (California, Washington, and Arizona, among others), might pull you over for the very reason that you are operating a Commercial “Style” vehicle without any markings (“Ghosting”). Again, a flash of the registration and explanation of your purposes should allay any concerns. - You can check our Blog about Converting Bus Titles to RV here.
*As mentioned: The following states require a special license or endorsement to drive non-commercial vehicles that fall into the Size and Weight categories listed above: CA, HI, IL, KS, MD, NV, NM, NY, NC, PA, TX, D.C., WY. Click here for details.
It is not a CDL, is much easier to obtain, and applies Only to drivers and vehicles registered in that state, meaning that if you are Licensed in Colorado, you don’t to get a special Wyoming license to drive through. The laws from Colorado would apply to you.
Do I have to Remove the Flashing Lights and Swing Arm Stop Sign?: - Remove? No. This is another law that is open to local interpretation, so you may want to remove them anyway, just to be safe. In either event, you can never use them on a public thoroughfare! -That's a ticket you will not get out of.
Additionally, some areas have specific laws against having Red lights anywhere on the vehicle, except in the back. (Certain laws apply to the color Green or Blue as well) If you want to keep the lights and the “look” of a bus, changing the lens color to yellow is strongly advised, if not required, even if you never turn them on. (You can trade the Yellow lenses from the back with the Red ones in the front, if your bus happens to have them.)
Do I Need a CDL to Drive My Bus Home?: - By the letter of the law, if it's designed for 16 passengers or more, or is rated over 26,001 pounds, and does not have an RV Registration, yes. You do. However, this is an area in which the vagueness of the law actually works in your favor. If the word “School” is covered (as well as “Church”, or any commercial reference), and you have a valid tag or temporary permit, you will almost never get pulled over in the first place. Additionally, there is language in the FMCSA Regulations that says, “...on the highway...” so sticking to surface streets and back roads will make it even less likely.
If you do get stopped (and aren't breaking any other laws), showing the officer your bill of sale and explaining that you just bought the rig and are going straight home, to the garage, plan to convert it to an RV, etc., will most likely result in nothing more than a stern warning. - Most interpret “Non-Commercial Activity” as exemption enough, and in many rural areas, farmers use old school buses all the time. A judge will almost always dismiss the ticket if you do happen get one but, strictly speaking, it is possible (however unlikely) that it would hold up in court.
The more important question is if you are comfortable driving the Rig in the first place. If not, you might be putting the safety of yourself and others at risk. If you're even a little uncertain, or don't want to risk the ticket (or time and trouble to go to court), you should have a friend, or even hire someone to, move the bus home for you. Then, take your time, and practice driving it in an empty parking lot or open field. It's pretty easy once you get the hang of it.
Do I Need an Air Brake Endorsement?: - No. Again, this applies specifically to Commercially Operated Vehicles. See above RE: “26,001lbs or more”, and be prepared in extreme (very rare) cases to explain it to a judge.
Do I Need to Stop at Weigh Stations: - No. You are Non-Commercial, and in most states School Buses are exempt anyway. A very large box van might draw additional attention, but, as above, it should be easily explained away.
What about Vehicle Height?: - Unless you are converting a Double-Decker Bus, or building a very large Roof Deck, this shouldn't be an issue. Once your total height gets up around 13 feet 6 inches, you will start to draw attention. For most states 13’6” is the legal, non-commercial, maximum.
As Skoolies and other converted vehicles become more and more common, legal questions become less and less of an issue. There is always a chance that you will run into a cop on a bad day, but we've never personally met someone who said they had to pay the fine. See our blog about Registering as an RV and you should have no worries.
In the end, there is a legitimate argument to just go ahead and get a Class B CDL. It should cover whatever you drive (not a Semi Truck), it isn't that expensive, and it takes all the guesswork out of your day to day life. More importantly, you’ll never have to worry about that conversation with the judge. This book will get you going.
Quick Links:
Start The Engine - Establishing a Budget - Making a Living on The Road - Choosing a Rig - Do I Need A CDL? - Designing a Skoolie Build - Step By Step Build Order - Doing a Build On The Cheap - 10 Tips to Save Power and Money - Skoolie Build Ideas - Skoolie Solar Setup - Vanlife Water Setup - RV Propane Setup - Solar Cheat Sheet - Skoolie, Van & RV Air Conditioning DE_Mystified! - Skoolie Heating - Digital Nomad Connectivity - Choosing a Domicile State - Converting a Commercial Title - Van, Skoolie, and RV Insurance.
Jump To Page:
Home - Solar - Cooking - Refrigeration - Water - HVAC - Tech - RV Accessories - Gear - Swag.