Getting Bus Inspected in Texas

jdpilot · January 20, 2015, 07:48:39 AM

I have my bus registered in New Mexico but thinking of registering it in Texas. How do you get it inspected (where) and how much? What is required to get a drivers license. Appreciated all answers. John

moosemanusa · January 20, 2015, 08:54:21 AM

Hi John,

Lots of open questions regarding the inspections in Texas.

When ever I've taken a bus (done 5 in the past 2 years), they just put a regular sticker on the bus, check horn, lights and pump the brake pedal! Thats here in DFW and at 3 different places!

There's also a Commercial inspection but ever time I've seen that done (on other vehicles) the guy will always hint at being paid off for it to go quickly and pass! I sold a bus the other year and the guy knew nothing about buses, I had to show him!

CDL: Written Exams Parts 2,4 if memory serves, air brakes (if you have them) and you may as well do passenger endorsement! its an easy exam!

Then you book your test, have a licensed driver take your bus to the center, show insurance, do a walk around and a practical test.

CDL Professor online have some great videos and the practice exams.

Registration, Last 2 were around the $200 per year.

muldoonman · January 20, 2015, 12:18:44 PM

Just had mine done a couple months ago. Just a regular inspection station and don't let them tell you different same as your pick truck or car. They never have driven mine just check all lights, wipers and that was about it. Regular sticker for private coach (rv). They have changed the process from this year on. Just will be one sticker on windshield. You still take it down to be checked (inspection) then take paper in to get tag office for sticker on windshield. Had heard different advice on non commercial CDL. I don't have one and been years ago when I let my Class A CDL go. DPS Trooper told me when I asked, said it didn't apply to rv's. I Just drive and wait on that first ticket. My coach was 538 bucks a year for texas tags at 42,000 lbs. Think the brake is 36,000 lbs on tag weight and if under, drops a couple hundred.

Dreamscape · January 20, 2015, 04:18:04 PM

You will first have to get it registered at any Texas DMV office, have a current weight certificate in hand. Make sure it is titled as a motor home, not a bus. Once you get your new plates and registration you will have to take it to any inspection station to get the okay on your coach. They may drive it, or may not. They'll check lights, wipers, horn and such. As was mentioned, no inspection sticker after March of this year. Hint, depending on your location, take it to a small town to get it done. It was easy peasy for me when I did my registration in Anson, inspection was done at Franklin RV in Abilene.

moosemanusa · January 20, 2015, 04:23:46 PM

Must be different for RV's as they've never let me register without an inspection paper in my hand.

The tax offices around DFW can be difficult and also night and day difference in staff knowledge from office to office.

David Anderson · January 20, 2015, 05:33:22 PM

I second what Dreamscape said. Inspection is easy. Registration a bit more complicated. As stated make sure it is an RV, not a bus. If you want to read what I went through years ago during the conversion process read this post.

http://www.busnut.com/bbs/messages/233/6371.html

Good luck

jdpilot · January 21, 2015, 07:30:43 AM

Thanks for the great replies. It is currently registered as an RV in New Mexico and I hold a class E drivers license which is for large RV's in New Mexico. New Mexico does not have vehicle inspections Didn't even have to take a test or driving skills. Just filled out the forms and pay the fees. Registering it every year is done online. Wonder if the license is transferable to Texas. Thanks again for the input. Moosemanusa where in DFW area did you have it inspected?

RJ · January 21, 2015, 08:02:08 AM

JD -

IIRC, in TX, if your coach weighs over 26,001 lbs, you must upgrade your driver's license to a non-commercial Class B CDL.

Why do you want to switch from NM to TX?

FWIW & HTH. . .

moosemanusa · January 21, 2015, 08:12:55 AM

Cedar hill and Plano

Cedar hill has a few heavy equipment places tucked away, maybe that's why us bigger vehicle guys are given a break.

Plano to was a breeze.

It's strange as car inspections in cedar hill are a pain with all the emissions tests they do. Had a Landrover that refused to kick all the monitors into ready mode, sold it to someone who's town didn't check those systems.

The dmv in cedar hill is also setup for cdl exams, the lady's are all very pleasant (for a dmv).