Do You Need a Special License to Drive a School Bus For Personal Use?

Converting a school bus for personal use is not a new thing. So many people have done it in the past and many will still do it in the future.

I’ve never done it nor have I ever thought of doing it but I have a friend who has done it and is still using it as an RV till today.

Before converting a school bus for personal use, there are several things you must do starting from getting insurance for the bus, decommissioning the bus, and registering the bus.

However, you also need to get a license that will enable you to drive the bus. Therefore, do you need a special license to drive a school bus for personal use?

Key Takeaways:

• Generally, operating a school bus, regardless of its use, often requires a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with specific endorsements, such as a Passenger (P) endorsement.
• If the school bus is for personal use and has a GVWR of up to 26,001 pounds and more, you will need a special license to drive the bus, and you may also be required to obtain additional endorsements beyond the standard CDL.

Do You Need a Special License to Drive a School Bus For Personal Use?

Yes, you need a special license to drive a school bus for personal use if the bus GVWR is 26,001 pounds or more.

In many places, driving a school bus, regardless of the purpose, requires a commercial driver’s license (CDL) with a passenger (P) endorsement and sometimes a school bus (S) endorsement.

A CDL is a special license required for driving large or heavy vehicles, as well as vehicles designed to transport passengers or hazardous materials. Since school buses fall under the category of vehicles designed for passenger transport, they usually require a CDL.

However, if you’re using a school bus strictly for personal use, such as converting it into a recreational vehicle (RV) or camper, the regulations might be different.

Some jurisdictions may allow you to operate a converted school bus without a CDL if it’s being used for non-commercial purposes and does not carry passengers for hire.

According to The FMCSA, “Any driver of a bus that is designed to transport 16 or more persons, or that has a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, is required to obtain a CDL in the applicable class with a passenger endorsement. This includes drivers transporting empty school buses on a public highway”.

In this case, you are not using the bus for commercial purposes, but rather for personal use which may warrant you to remove the seats while decommissioning the bus.

As long as the bus has a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, you need a special driver’s license to drive it.

As a matter of fact, most times, in addition to a CDL, you may be required to obtain specific endorsements to be able to operate a school bus even for personal use.

The most common endorsements for driving a school bus include:

• Passenger (P) Endorsement: This endorsement is necessary for driving vehicles designed to transport passengers. School buses fall into this category.
• School Bus (S) Endorsement: Some jurisdictions may require an additional endorsement specifically for driving school buses, even if you already have a passenger endorsement. This endorsement may involve additional testing or training related to school bus operation and safety.

So, if you’re converting a school bus into an RV or camper for personal use and not for any commercial purpose (i.e., not transporting passengers for hire), the regulations might be different, but as long as the bus GVWR is 26,001 pounds or more, you’ll be required to obtain a special license

The best thing to do now is to contact the authorities in your state about this. They are in the best position to give you the accurate answer you need based on your situation.

You need to inquire if converting school buses for personal use is exempt from FMCSA regulation for special licenses and figure out what your state requires if it is exempt because exempt vehicles are regulated on a state-by-state basis.

States that Require a Special License to Drive a School Bus for Personal use

Below are states that require you to obtain a special license to drive a school bus for personal use:

Classes of the CDL

Here are the classes of CDL:

Class A CDL

Class A CDLs are required for operating the largest and heaviest vehicles, including tractor-trailers or combination vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, provided that the towed vehicle weighs over 10,000 pounds.

This class of CDL is suitable for driving tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, tanker trucks, livestock carriers, and flatbed trucks hauling heavy loads. It’s the most comprehensive CDL class that allows drivers to operate a wide range of commercial vehicles.

Class B CDL

Class B CDLs are needed for operating single vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, or towing vehicles not exceeding 10,000 pounds.

This class of CDL covers vehicles like straight trucks, large buses, dump trucks, and box trucks. It doesn’t include vehicles with multiple trailers, which fall under Class A.

Class C CDL

Class C CDLs are required for operating vehicles designed to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) or vehicles transporting hazardous materials in quantities that require placarding.

This class of CDL includes passenger vans, small buses, and vehicles used for transporting hazardous materials in small quantities. It’s the most specialized CDL class and often requires additional endorsements for specific types of vehicles or cargo.

In addition to the CDL classes, drivers may need endorsements for certain types of vehicles or cargo, such as:

• Passenger (P) Endorsement: Required for operating vehicles designed to transport passengers, such as buses or vans.
• Tanker (N) Endorsement: Needed for driving vehicles transporting liquid or gas-filled tanks.
• Hazardous Materials (H) Endorsement: Necessary for transporting hazardous materials in quantities requiring placarding.
• School Bus (S) Endorsement: Required for driving school buses. It involves additional training and testing related to the safe operation of school buses and the transportation of school-aged children.
• Air Brake (L) Endorsement: Required for operating vehicles equipped with air brakes which ensures that drivers understand the proper operation and maintenance of air brake systems.
• Double/Triple Trailer (T) Endorsement: For drivers operating vehicles with multiple trailers, such as double or triple trailers, a T endorsement may be required. This endorsement demonstrates the driver’s ability to safely maneuver and operate combination vehicles with multiple trailers.

Factors that Determine The License I Need to Drive a School Bus for Personal Use?

Here are factors that determine the type of license you need to drive a school bus for personal use:

1. Vehicle Size and Weight

The size and weight of a school bus can directly impact the type of license or endorsement required to operate it legally. Larger school buses may require a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) due to their size and weight.

Since larger vehicles, including many school buses, exceed the weight or size limits set for regular driver’s licenses, a CDL is needed to legally operate the bus even for personal use.

2. Passenger Capacity

Some regions have licensing requirements based on the number of passengers a school bus can accommodate. A higher passenger capacity may necessitate a more specialized license or endorsement.

3. Intended Use

If you plan to use the school bus for personal purposes, such as family trips or recreational activities, this may still impact the required license.

Converting a school bus into a recreational vehicle might not exempt you from specialized licensing requirements.

4. Endorsements

Some regions require specific endorsements on your license to operate a school bus. These endorsements often involve additional testing to ensure you have the necessary skills for safely driving a school bus.

5. Driver’s Experience:

In some places, the licensing requirements for school bus drivers may take into account the driver’s previous experience and driving record. This can influence the type of license or endorsements needed.

6. Insurance Considerations

Insurance providers may have their own set of requirements for covering vehicles like school buses. Meeting these requirements might influence the type of license you need to obtain.

Do You Need a CDL to Drive a School Bus for Personal Use in NJ?

Yes, New Jersey (NJ) requires a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with a passenger (P) endorsement to drive a school bus, even for personal use.

The P endorsement is specifically for those who operate vehicles designed to transport passengers, including school buses.

However, regulations and requirements can change, so it’s important to verify the current rules with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJ MVC) or the relevant licensing authority.

You can check their official website or contact them directly for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding the licensing requirements for driving a school bus for personal use in New Jersey.

Conclusion

Converting a school bus for personal use is not a problem, the problem may be to obtain the required license needed to operate the school bus for personal use.

Therefore, you’ll need a special license (CDL) to drive a school bus for personal use if the school bus GVWR is 26,001 pounds or more; this is regardless of whether you carry passengers or not.

However, after decommissioning the bus it no longer has GVWR up to 26,001 pounds, so the special license may not apply.

However, you may need to contact the relevant authority, especially the FMCSA. No matter what, you must be required to obtain an additional license to drive something as large as a school bus.