That was easy!

[Lee Bradley]

Monday was my day off and the snow didn't look good so grabbed my bus paperwork and headed off to the local Department of Licensing. Got to the front of the line and ask what forms I would need to have for the State Patrol to inspect my bus conversion to re-title it as a motor home. She asked if I had added sleeping, bathroom and kitchen accommodations. I said yes. She asked if I had made structural changes to the bus. I said no. She said inspections are only required for structural modifications and handed me a form to report the changes and sign. About 30 minutes and $150 later, I had new plates and temporary title that said "40' HM".     

[HighTechRedneck]

I wonder if maybe more title offices are getting accustomed to this?  That was very similar to my experience here in TN last year.  I even did it before starting the conversion.  Being somewhat concerned about their position on it not being done yet, I didn't volunteer any information but only answered questions.  They just asked if I had the seats out and if I was making any structural changes.  They correctly assumed that I was only starting the conversion and that didn't bother them.

[jjrbus]

Congradulations!!!!! That is the way they should all go.
However, if you should run into a problem at a moter vehicle office, do not throw in the towel. Simply take your paerwork and go to another office. Do not say you were at another one first. Simply try again and again if you have too. Small towns seem to work better that large cities.
                                               HTH

[JackConrad]

I agree small towns are usually easier. A friend tried to register a brand new, from the factory, MCI shell as a motorhome in Naples, FL. He took all the appropriate papers, was told it could not be done. When he called me, I suggested he try the DMV in Arcadia. He drove the bus up to Arcadia and walked out with all the paperwork done and the title applied for.  Jack

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Congrats Lee!

That was a major accomplishment.... Life is good! Huh.

Nick-

[scanzel]

First time I went through DMV they said I needed combination plates, second time they issued camper plates. It all depends on who you talk to and what you call it a bus or a motorhome. Never say it is a bus I have learned that.

[cody]

It was easy for me to do here in Michigan too, just answered a few questions and even got handicapper plates, they noticed I have a handicapper registration and asked if I wanted the handicapper plates for the motorhome too, I said yep and they gave them to me, now I can get a really good parking spot at walmart lol.

[Lee Bradley]

They have Handicap bus spots in Michigan? Cool, I could see Florida but Michigan! 

[cody]

A lot of parks have handicapper sites but usually they are not in the best spots, like close to the bathrooms etc.  My bus is the first one here that I've seen with handicapper plates tho, I didn't know we could get them before.  I'm still trying to figure out how to squeeze a 40 ft bus into the handicapper spots at walmart, might have to unhook the toad lmao.

[rayshound]

I take it we should forget to mention roof raise??  (structural).   Ray

[rayshound]

I think let a sleeping dog lie is the correct statement. Almost any thing you weld on a bus at least mci and a few others is struct. Ray

[Lee Bradley]

I signed a statement that I have not made any structural changes and I had not. In as much as the bus is 11 1/2 feet high now, I don't think I will be raising the roof.

[Gary '79 5C]

Good Job to get it done...
In NJ it went quickly as I B.S. ed about other stuff and they went about doing the paper work.
The initial state inspection went even faster/easier in that in Cape May Court House, Very small town, they did not have me go thru the inspection line just a visual inspection at the curb. Every one came out to look insdie and out. They were sitting in the recliners, and on the couches gabbing away. They also asked me if I was in a hurry as one of their coworkers was "in the can" and would I wait so he could take a look as well. No structrual questions no brake inspections, I leave that for Luke. They did check the lights....

I have had another discussion with a State inspection officer who indicated that a Bus Conversion had to be inspected to the original requirements of the orginal design, that is a bus in all the commercial requirements. I had said that is was registered as a motor home but he was adimant about the commercial bus requirements.....
We will see in June as to how that goes...

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Gary,

I had the same result but, in Egg Harbour Twp. [3 exits up GSP] lol... 

I think I had a quicker result.. I didn't have to bring the bus.

Nick-

P.S.  every time I see this thread, I think I have to go to Staples to buy office supplies....

[H3Jim]

I bought mine from a dealer in New Jersey.  While it was a seated coach when I bought it, I had them title it as a motorhome so my new registration said motorhome from the start.  Have never had an inspection.