A "short" International Bluebird US School Bus from New York that is now registered as a motorhome in the UK. This is how to do it....
"Skoolie" is the slang name used in the US for an ex School Bus used as an "RV" (Recreational Vehicle - aka Motor Caravan in the UK). It is possible to buy one cheaply, import it to the UK , get it through the Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) test and register it for use on UK roads. If it is a "short bus" you can even drive it with an ordinary UK car driving license.
From this...
With the original seats
WIth the seats removed
|
To this...
Towards the rear
Towards the front
|
If you want to know how to how buy, import, convert and register an American School Bus as a UK Motorhome / Campervan / Festival Bus then this site shows you how to do it. It covers everything from finding, buying and importing a school bus to converting, testing and registering it as a "Motorcaravan" in the UK. Along the way I'll explain what I did and how I did it, so you can learn from my mistakes and avoid some of the potential pitfalls.
You may have seen the bus featured on George Clarke's Amazing Spaces (but more of that later)
You may have seen the bus featured on George Clarke's Amazing Spaces (but more of that later)
FAQ (what most people ask me)
Why did you buy a US School Bus?
Cheap, iconic and easy to work on. We will use it at Glastonbury and other festivals over the summer.
How old is the bus?
Built 2001, registered 2002. Has only done about 95k miles (nothing for a big diesel)
Where did it come from?
Penn Yann in upstate New York shipped via Baltimore Port
Did you import it yourself?
Yes - half the fun was working out how to do it
Did it come in a Container?
No - too big for a Container. Came on the California Highway RoRo vehicle transporter ship which took 2 weeks
Does the Stop sign work?
Yes, but had to be "disabled" to pass the IVA test
What did it cost to buy, ship and convert?
£4500 to buy, £4500 in total to transport/ship/insure and about another £8000 (inc parts) to convert (excluding my labour), so about £17,000 total. I suspect getting the UK plates has added to its value
How many miles per gallon do you get?
About 10 on average, About 17 on motorway. It has cruise control!
How big is the engine?
7.6 Litre turbo charged Navistar DT466E 6 cylinder Diesel engine limited to 55mph
Do you need a HGV license to drive it?
No, DVSA deem me to be the manufacturer/ designer so I choose a design weight of 7.49 tonnes (if you passed your car driving test before Jan 1997 you will have the right to drive a C1 vehicle whose design weight is up to 7.5 tonnes.
Why not register it as a bus?
Would instantly fail IVA test - deposits passengers on the wrong side of the road!
What does it weigh?
Dry weight is about 5.75 tonnes, Kerb weight (actual full laden weight - water, diesel, passengers etc) is about 6.5 tonnes. I tonne to spare!
Did you do all the work yourself?
Yes (evenings and weekends), except for some electrical work by Darrell Clarke at Autolectrics, some welding by David Gregory at Cobalt Blacksmiths and the new seat covers
How long did it take to do?
A year from deciding to buy to having it finished. About 50% of that effort was getting through the IVA test
Was it easy to get UK approval?
Not that easy. I believe this is the first US School Bus registered as UK Motorhome via the IVA scheme. There are some catering / corporate hospitality vehicles in the UK (I assume registered as Goods Vehicles). Took 3 attempts to get passed the IVA test.
Are US School Buses normally longer?
Yes. most are 71 seats, but there are "shorties" that take 29-35 and are about half the length
What is it like to drive?
Like a bus!
Are you interested in selling it?
No
Cheap, iconic and easy to work on. We will use it at Glastonbury and other festivals over the summer.
How old is the bus?
Built 2001, registered 2002. Has only done about 95k miles (nothing for a big diesel)
Where did it come from?
Penn Yann in upstate New York shipped via Baltimore Port
Did you import it yourself?
Yes - half the fun was working out how to do it
Did it come in a Container?
No - too big for a Container. Came on the California Highway RoRo vehicle transporter ship which took 2 weeks
Does the Stop sign work?
Yes, but had to be "disabled" to pass the IVA test
What did it cost to buy, ship and convert?
£4500 to buy, £4500 in total to transport/ship/insure and about another £8000 (inc parts) to convert (excluding my labour), so about £17,000 total. I suspect getting the UK plates has added to its value
How many miles per gallon do you get?
About 10 on average, About 17 on motorway. It has cruise control!
How big is the engine?
7.6 Litre turbo charged Navistar DT466E 6 cylinder Diesel engine limited to 55mph
Do you need a HGV license to drive it?
No, DVSA deem me to be the manufacturer/ designer so I choose a design weight of 7.49 tonnes (if you passed your car driving test before Jan 1997 you will have the right to drive a C1 vehicle whose design weight is up to 7.5 tonnes.
Why not register it as a bus?
Would instantly fail IVA test - deposits passengers on the wrong side of the road!
What does it weigh?
Dry weight is about 5.75 tonnes, Kerb weight (actual full laden weight - water, diesel, passengers etc) is about 6.5 tonnes. I tonne to spare!
Did you do all the work yourself?
Yes (evenings and weekends), except for some electrical work by Darrell Clarke at Autolectrics, some welding by David Gregory at Cobalt Blacksmiths and the new seat covers
How long did it take to do?
A year from deciding to buy to having it finished. About 50% of that effort was getting through the IVA test
Was it easy to get UK approval?
Not that easy. I believe this is the first US School Bus registered as UK Motorhome via the IVA scheme. There are some catering / corporate hospitality vehicles in the UK (I assume registered as Goods Vehicles). Took 3 attempts to get passed the IVA test.
Are US School Buses normally longer?
Yes. most are 71 seats, but there are "shorties" that take 29-35 and are about half the length
What is it like to drive?
Like a bus!
Are you interested in selling it?
No