Bus Checklist

rollingstone · Veteran Member

Bus Checklist

oldbobsbus · Guru

Is it already converted to a motorhome...

For that size bus you will need atleast a MR drivers licence.. and you will need to carry a logbook and keep it filled in wherever you go..

If it is already converted it will need to have an engineers certificate/plate changing it from a bus to a motorhome.

It will need to have all of the electrics certified and there should be a certificate for them with it.

If there is LPGas connected there also needs to be a compliance plate attached and possibly a certificate to go with it but so long as the plate is there it will be ok..

to get it registered you will need a current weighbridge certificate for it showing the date and weight of it..

And of course it will need a saftey certificate to register it in Qld or a blue slip inspection and certificate to register it in NSW anywhere else I have NFI ...lol

That vshould give you something to go on with... smile smile

kandagal · Guru

I don't think you need a log book. Our motorhome is 11m & requires a heavy vehicle licence but we have never had to get a log book. The vehicle definitely needs a compliance plate & a gas certificate. In Queensland an inspection is required every 12 months. This is not required in Victoria. Cheers Alice

native pepper · Senior Member

harleydog wrote:
Hi all, First of all we are new to the world of travelling and we are about to look at a 12 metre bus in which we will make our home for the next few years. Is there anywhere I can look up to get a check list of what we should be looking for - ie. certificates etc. The bus is in Queensland and we would also like to know what is required to be able to register it (not registered at present). Thanks in advance

It depends on what state you are in, you can get a permit to move an unregistered vehicle from state to state. Much better to get it in the state you are taking the bus to, then you have no problems in transit.

Each state has it's own regulations and requirements, so check with your local state registration department and they should tell you what you need to do.

The bus should already have engineering certificates for its past use, when you renovate it, you may need to have your changes checked by a qualified engineer. Find out first, so yo know what you're up against and when doing you alterations, try to make them fit with the current certification if you can, then things will be easier.

Luckily with an 11m bus, weight is not a problem and you mostly need certification for gas installation and modified seating. If you are going to do the work yourself, make sure you contact the certifier you will use before you start and ask them specifically what is required for the work you are going to undertake. Then when you take it to them and you've followed their advice, it will be a breeze.

I made a mistake many years ago in NSW when I fitted out a bus according to the requirements I got from the registration office, only to find the engineers had different interpretations, and I went to 3. So had to do a bit more work.

This bus, went and asked before starting, then rang a couple of times to verify a couple of things. Took it to the engineer when I'd finished, they had a quick look saw I followed their instructions and gave me the certificate. Took all of 10 minutes from the time he walked out of the office to look and getting the certificate in my hand. Hope that helps.

oldbobsbus · Guru

native pepper wrote:

I made a mistake many years ago in NSW when I fitted out a bus according to the requirements I got from the registration office, only to find the engineers had different interpretations, and I went to 3. So had to do a bit more work.
This bus, went and asked before starting, then rang a couple of times to verify a couple of things. Took it to the engineer when I'd finished, they had a quick look saw I followed their instructions and gave me the certificate. Took all of 10 minutes from the time he walked out of the office to look and getting the certificate in my hand. Hope that helps.

The rules have changed in NSW and since the beginning of last year it has become hard to find an engineer that has the right qualifications to certify a motorhome for RMS..

Here at Grafton before the changes we had 3 engineers that could certify it..

Now we have to take it to either Balina after making an appointment or Tamworth after making an appointment..

So long as you have all of your certificates and complience plates attached and a current weighbridge ticket you shouldn't have too much problems..

They WILL be looking for things that have been structurally modified like the seating and seatbelt anchors... also any mods that have been made to the Engine, steering, brakes etc...

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Hi HD, I saw your question earlier but I thought I would ask the question about the log book bit while I was at Vic Roads today, I am in Victoria. They informed me as I thought, that you do not fill in a driver log book if it is registered as a "Motor Home" because you are not transporting goods (Trucks) or over 12 people (Passenger Buses).

As I said I thought that is the case but as I was there it didn't hurt to ask the question. As others above have said you will need all other info to register the vehicle though. The person I spoke with said they do not let up on anything, no matter how small, 100% or no rego.

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Be VERY cautious about buying an unregistered vehicle.

There are many busses about that can not be legally registered.
Get the owner to get it approved and registered before handing over your money or you may become the owner of a very expensive lemon.

Cheers,
Peter

-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Tuesday 17th of December 2013 06:35:00 PM

oldbobsbus · Guru

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
Be VERY cautious about buying an unregistered vehicle.
There are many busses about that can not be legally registered.
Get the owner to get it approved and registered before handing over your money or you may become the owner of a very expensive lemon.

Cheers,
Peter

-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Tuesday 17th of December 2013 06:35:00 PM

You make a very valid point there Peter..

the OP hasn't said if it is just a bus or one that has already been converted..

In the OP's case so long as they can establish that the bus has been previously registered in its present form then so long as they can prove it they should be ok..

-- Edited by oldbobsbus on Tuesday 17th of December 2013 07:21:55 PM

SnowT · Guru

Once the Bus is Registered on the Road, and Ready for Fit-out.. or even before you buy and register..

- You need to ask your self, " What style of Travel/camping are you going to Do..? To What level of Comfort do you Want..? and the Big one.. HOW MUCH am I willing to spend to get that comfort..?"

I have to ask "How long is a Piece of String"

Once you have worked out all of that then the fun start's..

Juergen

El Gringo · Senior Member

In QLD you do need at least an MR licence and you will have to keep a log book.
Just did my MR licence last year and was issued with a log book at QLD Transport when I got the licence upgrade.

-- Edited by El Gringo on Wednesday 18th of December 2013 12:13:24 AM

RosieW · Guru

We drove our bus back from SA last year, was registered when we got it, but ran out 3 days later. Permits had to be acquired for 3 states (SA, Vic & Tas), to get it home - and we had to travel in a straight line, via the shortest possible route.

We originally looked at buying a bus n Qld, and the same applied, we needed a permit for each state, and had to take the shortest route - it's the law. We asked a heap of questions, via phone and email, and when we arrived, found we had been lied to - that is the risk you take.

Log book rules are different everywhere, we simply bought one, and used it throughout the whole trip. Better to be safe, we figured.

The same goes for conversion rules and requirements - check what is required in the state where you plan to register. Two things that are the same no matter where you are are the need for gas and electricity to be certified.

No matter whether it has a RWC when you buy it, you may have to get a new one in your home state - that is true of Tassie, at least.

One more thing to bear in mind: bus conversions/repairs are exxy. We are doing the cheapest possible (liveable) fit-out possible, and it's still exxy. That being said, we love our bus, and I for one am glad we went for a bus, rather than a van/tug.

rollingstone · Veteran Member

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
Be VERY cautious about buying an unregistered vehicle.
There are many busses about that can not be legally registered.
Get the owner to get it approved and registered before handing over your money or you may become the owner of a very expensive lemon.

Cheers,
Peter
Hi , thanks to all replies - its a bit of a grey area - the person that owned it has died and the son is trying to sell it. will go armed with questions that you have bought up - very helpful thanks
deb

-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Tuesday 17th of December 2013 06:35:00 PM

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

If the son can legally sell it, he can also legally register it.

Cheers,
Peter

rollingstone · Veteran Member

the bus is completed fitted out so the only thing to be done is add solar and air con. we can only be hopeful the previous owner got all the certificates otherwise we will have to keep looking. keep you all posted next week

cheers

deb and the significant other

RosieW · Guru

If it's fitted out but doesn't have the certificates, it may be easier to get the electricity/gas checked and certified by qualified people than to keep looking. It'll cost a wee bit, but may save a lot of heartache and hassle in the end, especially if it's everything you were after in every other way.

rollingstone · Veteran Member

RosieW wrote:
If it's fitted out but doesn't have the certificates, it may be easier to get the electricity/gas checked and certified by qualified people than to keep looking. It'll cost a wee bit, but may save a lot of heartache and hassle in the end, especially if it's everything you were after in every other way.

thank you for that

oldbobsbus · Guru

IF there is no gas compliance plate and the stove burners aren't flame failed then before it can be complied now it will have to have a stove fitted that is flame failed on ALL burners..

I see lots of caravans and motorhomes come in to be complied and we have had to send them away because the stove was fitted before the new regulation came in and the plate has been removed for some unknown reason..

RosieW · Guru

oldbobsbus wrote:
IF there is no gas compliance plate and the stove burners aren't flame failed then before it can be complied now it will have to have a stove fitted that is flame failed on ALL burners..

I see lots of caravans and motorhomes come in to be complied and we have had to send them away because the stove was fitted before the new regulation came in and the plate has been removed for some unknown reason..

That's the trouble, rules and regs change, and differ from state to state.

oldbobsbus · Guru

RosieW wrote:

That's the trouble, rules and regs change, and differ from state to state.

Every state works with the Australia Standard AS 5601 on gas Rosie, and yes they have changed a bit over the years to protect us from ourselves..

If you saw some of the things I have seen over the years you would realize that some people have absolutely no regard for their own safety or those around them.

With stoves solong as it complied at the time of the inspection then it is covered..

Ohhhh and a compliance plate has no time limit so older installations are still legal, but if there was a modification made to the installation then it would need to be redone and thats where the entire installation would need to comply with current regulations..

RosieW · Guru

oldbobsbus wrote:
RosieW wrote:
That's the trouble, rules and regs change, and differ from state to state.
Every state works with the Australia Standard AS 5601 on gas Rosie, and yes they have changed a bit over the years to protect us from ourselves..
If you saw some of the things I have seen over the years you would realize that some people have absolutely no regard for their own safety or those around them.
With stoves solong as it complied at the time of the inspection then it is covered..
Ohhhh and a compliance plate has no time limit so older installations are still legal, but if there was a modification made to the installation then it would need to be redone and thats where the entire installation would need to comply with current regulations..

I've heard some horror stories from the engineer and the compliancing guy here - we haven't put a stove in ours, so no gas. In Tassie, gas has to be checked/recomplianced every 2 years, so dodgy jobs get picked up, or at least they should.

When we were looking, we saw some shockers.............. I was scared to be in them, even though things were allegedly turned off.

Ontos45 · Guru

Should be a "thumbs up" icon on here. This topic close to heart as was thinking of buying a bus 2nd hand in Victoria (I live in Qld.) and doing it up. Back to a caravan I think. Thanks for the topic and replies.

oldbobsbus · Guru

Ontos45 wrote:
Should be a "thumbs up" icon on here. This topic close to heart as was thinking of buying a bus 2nd hand in Victoria (I live in Qld.) and doing it up. Back to a caravan I think. Thanks for the topic and replies.

Peter,

So long as you do it right you will have no problems ....

It is the ones that use garden hose as Gas hose that are a concern..

There are lots of qualified tradesmen here on the forum that are only to happy to put you ojn the right track if you need help..

I have done 6 buses now and have had no problems getting them certified and registered.. smile

native pepper · Senior Member

We are on our 5th bus and done all the work ourselves and never had a problem with them being passed. All you have to do is find out what's required and get it done. In my opinion converted buses are much less hassle with compliance than any van, vans are easily overloaded, break very easily and seem to have never ending upkeep problems. buses are more stable on the road, not as prone to wind shear factors and much more resilient to light impact damage and with a bus you can load it with tonnes of things and not go over weight.

A few years ago we stayed outside a place which suffered a massive wind storm during the day, it rocked us really hard and had flying debris bashing on the sides of the bus, denting some of the panels. There were two vans near us and both were virtually destroyed, but the bus didn't move. When we drove to the local town to take the vanners for help and get their injuries fixed, the town van park, was like a war zone vans had been either overturned or badly damaged by flying debris, there were branches stuck through vans, peoples possession scattered everywhere and only a couple of vans escaped the damage. the town had lots of damage as well.

Our latest bus carried 57 seated and 27 standing, if you equate that to adults, you end up with a lot of leeway to play with. We added enough fuel tanks to carry 1000lt, 400lt fresh water, 150lt of grey and black water. filled with lots of food, musical equipment, bikes, dogs, beer and 3 people. When we put it over the weigh bridge, it was still over 1 tonne under it's gross weight.

-- Edited by native pepper on Saturday 21st of December 2013 08:31:14 AM

Ontos45 · Guru

Thanks for your replies and advice oldbobsbus and native pepper. I have rebuilt caravans but not buses so am a bit antsy on starting the project at 67, read where it can take 3 years to complete. We cannot afford a ready-made one. Am looking at an Izuzu 9metre bus or similar for 2 ppl. and a big dog as it will be our permanent home. Insurance is another concern as is "de-bogging". Went through the floods in 2010/2011 and that was bad enough with a 4x4 and van. We like getting off the beaten track...lol.
Thanks again.

-- Edited by Ontos45 on Saturday 21st of December 2013 10:20:38 AM

oldbobsbus · Guru

Ontos45 wrote:
Thanks for your replies and advice oldbobsbus and native pepper. I have rebuilt caravans but not buses so am a bit antsy on starting the project at 67, read where it can take 3 years to complete. We cannot afford a ready-made one. Am looking at an Izuzu 9metre bus or similar. Insurance is another concern as is "de-bogging". Went through the floods in 2010/2011 and that was bad enough with a 4x4 and van. We like getting off the beaten track...lol.
Thanks again.

Gee Pete,

The last bus I did was a 2000 7mtr Hino, we picked it up in May down in SA drove it home via Broken Hill and registered it fully finished mid July and I an 75..

It is currently for sale as we have gone back to our old 1993 9mtr mid engined FD Hino..

This is the one for sale and the one we are now keeping..

If you would like to have a yarn about doing one feel free to give me a ring my number is on the website below..

-- Edited by oldbobsbus on Saturday 21st of December 2013 10:33:04 AM

Ontos45 · Guru

Thanks mate

native pepper · Senior Member

Ontos45 wrote:
Thanks for your replies and advice oldbobsbus and native pepper. I have rebuilt caravans but not buses so am a bit antsy on starting the project at 67, read where it can take 3 years to complete. We cannot afford a ready-made one. Am looking at an Izuzu 9metre bus or similar for 2 ppl. and a big dog as it will be our permanent home. Insurance is another concern as is "de-bogging". Went through the floods in 2010/2011 and that was bad enough with a 4x4 and van. We like getting off the beaten track...lol.
Thanks again.

-- Edited by Ontos45 on Saturday 21st of December 2013 10:20:38 AM

Cobber, I'm 68 and it only took 3 months to fit out this bus so we could get on the road. Still making adjustments and today have been building and fitting a new bull bar, aluminum ones are only good for looking at, hit a Roo and bye bye front end.

Everything I've used is second hand materials from the recycle centre, we have two dogs and spend about 9 months a year on the road. With a bus, you only really need 3^rd party property insurance and they are less prone to damage, plus so much cheaper and secure.

Check gum tree and Ebay for converted buses for sale, heaps of the and with a bus, you will have a more reliable engine and drive line as they are specifically designed for very long mileages.

One bus I lived in b myself, just took the seats out, put a second hand bed in it, porta potty, camping gas stove 20lt water bottle and hit the road. Worked on it whilst travelling, when I wasn't to lazy to get of my bum.

Ontos45 · Guru

Thanks to you too native pepper, gives me some confidence back. Been a bit crook this year (throat op etc.) where 18mths ago would have been in like Flynn. Won't be in the market till June 14 but am looking on Gum Tree and Ebay ( missed a 1990 Iszuzu 9m bus, went for $16,600 ex wheel chair disability bus) but them's the brakes.
Thanks again folks, will post if I need more assistance (which I will) and thanks too Bob for number and Merry Xmas, Happy New Year.

RosieW · Guru

The biggest issue we have had is that hubby doesn't have the tools to make the stuff we needed, we had to outsource. He is only 50, but has the bones of an 80 year old, has arthritis in every joint, and he still did a lot of the lifting etc, and laid the wire for 240v.

So long as you don't go beyond your physical limits, rest up when you've done a bit too much, and have fun, that's all that matters. Oh, and allow plenty of time for 'Oh bugger' because there will be plenty of that! We've had 12 months to get going, because I wanted to graduate Uni before we left. I'd say add 20% to your timeframe for the 'Oh bugger's.

Ontos45 · Guru

Thanks RosieW, hope all goes well. Have all the tools, so no problems there. Can lay 240VAC cable and terminate as well as form gas tube but now, sparkies/gas fitters won't retrospectively issue certificates, want to do all the work go to woe here in Central Qld.

Sorry to hijack your post harlydog

-- Edited by Ontos45 on Monday 23rd of December 2013 08:34:52 AM