The Pros and Cons of Buying a Retired School Bus with Greg Berry

Summer is in full swing, which means schools are out. Not only that, but many of them will be replacing their bus fleet. That means if you’ve been interested, then the time has come to buy a retired school bus. But before you do, you should know the ins and outs of such an endeavor. For transit companies, these vehicles make a lot of sense to put into your own fleet. However, that isn’t the only option. People have been creative and transformed school buses into food trucks, mobile shops, and RVs.

From School Bus to Work Truck

The biggest benefit of work truck conversions for school buses is interior space. Once you take out the seats you’ll find possibilities to put in kitchen equipment for a food truck. This equipment could consist of sinks, an oven, a freezer, and storage areas. If you wanted to keep some of the bus seats, those could be used for indoor seating. On top of that, school buses have a lot of windows. These are useful both to let in natural light and as a safety feature in the event of needing to exit the vehicle. Not only that, but ventilation is important. Windows will help with that and you could add fans too. 

Mobile shops are also an option for school buses. With a spacious interior, there’s plenty of room for merchandise stands and storing equipment. Windows offer the added advantage of letting viewers do some window shopping. However, you may want to add metal grates over the windows when you close up shop to deter thieves. Other benefits are having no lease expense and being able to easily go to fairs or other events where there’s a lot of foot traffic. Even better, converting a bus into a shop isn’t going to cost a fortune.

Keep in mind, while school buses can be used as work trucks, they’ll be more of a project to convert than an ambulance or fire truck. The reason is because school buses usually don’t have much built-in storage or towing capability.

Making RVs out of School Buses

When converting a school bus into an RV, also known as skoolies, the spacious interior will prove great for a kitchenette or even a bed. Likewise, the windows will help with lighting, though they are far less helpful for insulation. Depending on where you’re traveling, like an extremely hot or cold region, you may want to replace some windows with solid panels of wood or metal. Or consider replacing windows with double paned glass. Adding curtains will help too. In case you want to add more insultation, you could do so with the walls, floor, and ceiling, but keep in mind, the trade-off is that you’ll then have a bit less interior space.

Depending on the location of the retired school bus you’re buying, if it’s a temperate zone, it may not include heating or A/C. If heating is important to you, check for a retired school bus in one of the snowy states. If you value A/C more, then see what’s available in the hot states.

Checking Out School Bus Sizes

Unsurprisingly, there are a lot of different sizes for school buses. The range is anywhere from as small as a minivan up to to 35-45 feet long. For context, a class A motorhome ranges from 26-45 feet and they look like coach buses. A class B is a small campervan, 17-19 feet. Then there’s class C, which is 20-28 feet long and considerably lighter than a class A. In terms of size, a full-size school bus at 35-45 feet long is comparable to a class A motorhome.

If you opt for a smaller school bus, it will be easier to maneuver and take less space and effort to park. As a food truck, that’ll be helpful for getting into venues, though that also means less space for ingredients and kitchen equipment. As a small skoolie, RV spots at campsites will be cheaper. If you have a full-size school bus, you have enough space to turn the back half into a flatbed to carry a vehicle. That’s what one skoolie enthusiast did with their Scooby Doo themed bus.

School Bus Towing and Fueling

If towing is your thing, know that school buses don’t generally have a tow hitch. That could be a problem if you’re hoping to bring your car, or boat, or other outdoor toys. In this scenario, a school bus probably isn’t the best fit for you. Now, in theory the bus probably has some towing capability. You can always weld on a tow bar and hitch, but that’ll be quite the project. You would be better off looking at an ambulance or fire truck that comes with a hitch. 

Speaking of ambulances, there are generally two types of school bus manufacturers. There are vehicle chassis manufacturers like Ford, Chevrolet, International, and Freightliner. Then there are the school bus body manufacturers. Popular ones are Blue Bird, Thomas Built, and IC. Small and mid-sized school buses are often Ford or Chevrolet and gas or diesel. The full-size school buses are usually International or Freightliner. They commonly have a Cummins engine and are diesels. If you’re new to diesel vehicles, you’ll want to check if the school bus requires diesel exhaust fluid.

What To Look For in a School Bus

Interior Height

Just like the due diligence you’d show any other vehicle you’re buying, there are some things to look for in a retired school bus. For starters, definitely check the interior height. If you’re planning to spend a lot of time inside the vehicle, you’ll be happy to have more head room. Since they were made to transport students, the interior height is commonly six feet, though sometimes shorter on older buses. And remember the ceiling is curved, meaning the height will be shorter along the walls. While a roof extension is an option, if you’re making your school bus into a skoolie, you already have enough projects on hand. Instead, take the time to find a bus that has your essentials from the start. 

Room for Insulation

Also, be sure to determine if adding insulation is important for your energy bill and comfort. If so, then a roof extension could be worthwhile to give you additional room and space for adding insulation. Just keep in mind the total exterior height of your bus so you know whether you have enough clearance for over passes. 

Rear or Front Engine

Those considering a full-size school bus should think about whether they want a rear engine or front engine. With a rear engine school bus, the noise levels are lower when you’re driving since the engine is further away from you. On the other hand, front engine buses are usually easier to work on because they come with a regular hood like on a heavy-duty truck.

The placement of the engine will also impact your weight distribution and the layout of your customizations. Front engine buses will have a rear access door, while rear engine buses, since the engine is at the back, won’t. Traditional motorhomes are rear engine and have compartments underneath for water tanks, a generator, and storage. While there may not be built-in storage compartments under a school bus, with a rear engine bus you’d have the space to add compartments if you wanted.

Pricing

Another aspect to look for is pricing. How much school buses cost really comes down to the year, make, and model, along with the condition and mileage. Buses that are in running condition can easily sell for a couple thousand to tens of thousands of dollars.

Insurance Requirements 

Research the specific requirements for your vehicle, which should include how you plan to use it. Insuring a school bus converted into an RV involves reclassifying and registering the vehicle as an RV. Insurance coverage should encompass liability, comprehensive and collision, personal belongings, and possibly full-timer's insurance if you plan to live in it full-time. 

Note that you'll have to provide documentation of the conversion through receipts and photos, and possibly get an appraisal to establish the vehicle's value. Specialized RV insurers like Progressive, Good Sam, and National General, are often better equipped to handle converted vehicles. 

To operate your school bus as a commercial entity like a food truck, mobile retail store, or mobile service, you’ll need to register it as a commercial vehicle, obtain relevant business permits, and secure appropriate insurance coverage. Coverage should include commercial auto, general liability, and specific insurance for your business type. Compliance with local regulations and safety standards is also crucial to consider.

CDL Requirement

Don’t forget to check with your local DMV about whether you need a CDL to drive a school bus. Depending on your state and what you're using the bus for, you may be required to have a CDL or something else like a passenger (P) or school bus (S) endorsement. 

For example, the state of California requires a non-commercial Class B license for buses over 40 feet . For those between 26,001 and 40,000 pounds, a non-commercial Class C license is sufficient as long as it's for personal use. In Texas, you need a Class B or Class A non-commercial license if the vehicle exceeds certain weight thresholds.

Generally speaking, vehicles that are built to carry more than 16 passengers, including the driver, or have a gross vehicle weight of over 26,000 pounds require a CDL. However, when converting the bus into an RV, or any non-school bus use, normally you do not need one. Instead, explain to the DMV that you’re converting your school bus into a food truck, mobile shop, RV, or whatever the case may be. This allows them to list it under a business vehicle or RV classification. More than likely, the reclassification and obtaining a different special license will be sufficient.

Air Brakes

Also, check if the bus has air brakes. Having and using these will put less wear and tear on your friction brakes. They especially come in handy on steep grades. Similarly, look to see if the school bus has a wheelchair lift or ramp. This will make moving supplies and furniture into the bus a lot easier.

Bus Doors

School bus doors are different from your regular car or truck door. You’ll want to add a lock that’s easy to use from both the inside and outside. If you’d prefer a solid door, you can swap out the school bus door for a regular house door. It sounds strange, but it can turn out looking pretty nice.

Maintenance Requirements

As you check out the bus, remember that as a general rule, bigger equals more expensive. Every bus will have maintenance, but replacing tires on a minivan sized school bus will be cheaper than replacing tires on a 30 foot one. Keep these maintenance costs in mind as you decide which school bus to purchase. Likewise, look into which mechanics in your area work on school buses. If you’re planning to travel a lot, you should know which service centers would be able to work on your type of engine and bus size. And if you opt for a full-size school bus, you’ll probably have to go to service centers for semi-trucks or motorhomes.

Conclusion

Whichever type of school bus you chose, have fun making it your own! Get creative with the interior layout and the exterior paint job. If you’re willing to get your hands dirty and sweat a little, you can turn any school bus into an awesome food truck, mobile shop, or skoolie.