Modify school bus before hauling pigs
By SGT Marc Erickson
Date Modified: 08/02/2012 2:03 PM
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Question:
I want to convert a school bus into a truck to haul pigs. What do I need to do to make this legal?
Answer:
Well I don't know what size bus we are talking about or if we are staying strictly in MN. The reason it matters is because MN did not adopt 49 CFR 383 for intrastate use. At a minimum you are required to change the color of the bus to something significantly different than national school bus glossy yellow. A vehicle not used as a school bus may not be operated if it is equipped with school bus or Head Start bus-related equipment and printing. Meaning you have to take off the eight light system and stop arm along with any printing that Identifies this as a school bus(reference 169.448). According to MN statue 168A.15 subd. 2, after the seats are out of the bus you are required to have the vehicle inspected by the DMV to reclassify the vehicle as a truck. This has to be done to eliminate the requirement of having a passenger endorsement on your driver's lic. The vehicle will then need a MN Annual inspection if the vehicle is over 26000 GVWR.
If the vehicle is going to be used in an interstate operation there are additional requirements as Chapter 383 was adopted for interstate operations.