I know what you’re thinking now, why a school bus and not an RV? You’d be surprised to know that it’s actually more convenient to live in a school bus, and I’ll tell you why.
Okay, but is it legal to live in a school bus? You ask. We’ll see about that too.
Living in a school bus is not something new. In the 60s, the Merry Pranksters roamed the country in Further, the famous colorful school bus.
Why Would You Live in a School Bus?
There are some reasons why one would prefer living in a school bus or a “skoolie” as some may call it.
The Freedom
Freedom comes in all shapes here. Let’s say I want a house that overlooks the sea, but then after a couple of weeks, I want it to overlook a garden, or some mountains, or whatever there is on the road.
Driving a school bus from a place to another allows you to experience life in different locations, you’re free to park wherever you want. Since you’re already on the road, then you’ll also have the opportunity to visit relatives or friends that don’t live in the same state as you.
Another way you experience freedom is in terms of the luxurious lifestyle that you’ll leave behind. Living on a school bus will force you to have it more simple. You’ll have to let go of some of your stuff and only keep the necessities. It’s like breaking free from all the clutter.
The Affordability
That’s the main reason why people choose a school bus over an RV. It’s more affordable to purchase and maintain a school bus.
For instance, when you own an RV, you’ll need to pay campground fees if you park it in designated RV places, while a school bus can be parked for free in a Wallmart parking lot.
You’ll pay in gas and maintenance, but it’s still more affordable than owning a house or an RV.
Why Wouldn’t You live in a School Bus?
There’s a downside to everything. Some people don’t recommend living on a school bus for these reasons.
Gas Cost
That’s the main complaint when you’re living on a school bus. It takes from 7 to 10 miles per gallon, so that’s a lot of money to pay.
Breakdowns
Breakdowns are a common issue when you’re driving any vehicle, but what if you’re parked in the middle of nowhere, and your school bus breaks down? That’d be a huge problem.
Cell Perception
When you’re constantly traveling, then a remote job is the most convenient option. The problem here is that sometimes you’ll be parked in a place with no cellphone signal. Without a signal, you won’t be able to get your work done.
Legal or Not?
The answer to that depends. Driving a school bus as it is, without any changes, might not be legal.
However, converting that bus into an RV is the way to make it legal. That way, you’ll be able to register it. You can always get more info on that from your local DMV office.
How to Make It Legal?
There are some steps that you can follow to make your “skoolie” legal. Sure, it differs from a state to another, so we’ll just cover the main steps.
Throw Some Paint on It
It shouldn’t be yellow like a typical school bus. Some states require you to repaint the bus, as well as to remove the flashing lights and the stop sign. The paint has to cover the color of the bus itself and all the words that refer to a district, including the word “school bus” of course.
Registration
In order to register your school bus as an RV, there are some things that should be included, for example:
- Cooking appliances
- Refrigerator
- A place to sleep
- Bathroom facilities
- Heat or AC with different power supply
- Water supply (suitable for drinking)
- From 110V to 125V power supply
The options might be more or less, depending on your state’s regulations. After the conversion step, you’ll need an inspector to come and see if everything is good to go.
License
In most cases, you can just use your normal driving license, but some states insist that you have a CDL for driving a school bus around.
Insurance
Getting insurance for your school bus is on the list of some states’ rules. Whether it’s a requirement or not, I think it’s something you should get.
You’ll be having a home and a car in one and you wouldn’t want to risk that. It can cover your injuries or damages to the bus.
How Much Does It Cost to Live in a School Bus?
The cost of converting the school bus to start living on it might vary from $7500 to $35000. That depends on so many factors, but let’s see what you’re spending your money on.
Purchasing the Bus
According to bus school owners, purchasing the bus can cost you from $2000 to $5000.
Converting the Bus
If you can do it yourself, then you’ll only be paying for the material. You’ll need to buy paint, tools, faucets, toilet, cushions, and the list goes on. The whole process can cost you an average of $5000.
Normal Monthly Expenses on the road
You don’t have any bills to pay now, except for your cellphone. You’ll spend the rest of your money as usual. You’ll pay for groceries, bus insurance, registration, and whatever you pay for in your normal daily routine.
Fuel
This mainly depends on whether you’re moving a lot or not, so spending money on gas can range anywhere from $300 to $1000.
Maintenance and Repair
With a bus that keeps moving, maintenance will be required. That includes replacing the tires and changing the oil. Also, your bus might breakdown or need some repairs. You need to factor that into your budget.
The Verdict
So, is it legal to live in a school bus? Yes. If you’re able to convert it to an RV, it’ll be legal. The cost will be less than buying and living in an RV anyways.
Living on the road is a liberating experience. The process of making it legal is not exactly a piece of cake. However, you just need to make it legal in one state, and then you’re free to hop behind the wheel.