One for the bus shite lickers

[Mr A Lawrence]

The missus has had the bright idea that we should buy an old double decker bus and convert it into a motorhome/static home.

 

My only question is if a bus is converted to a motorhome can it be driven on a car licence??

 

I passed my test in 1990 so I have "grandad rights" for driving bigger stuff.

[3VOM]

Not if it weighs over the 7.5t you have on your licence. IIRC. It gets registered as a motorhome or PHG (if that still exists) and you need another  licence category, what that is, I can't remember. PSV? HGV II?

[alcyonecorporation]

D1 drift license. 

[Justin Case]

Sorry to rain on your parade , but a double decker is not really a good idea for a motorhome conversion. One of the main problems is trees, they only tend to be trimmed on bus routes, so you will find that you can be hitting them. This can be awkward even with our museum buses going to events so if you are planning on travelling to some of the more picturesque spots..........  Elderly double deckers weren't designed for speed,  I know someone with a relatively recent one and he finds atop speed of 45mph a pain, and uses his coach for any long distance trips.

 

A coach would be a better base, but even this has an ULW of over 12 tonnes, so you would need a full C category licence to drive it, but it could be very cost-effective

 

http://hillscoachsales.com/coach-sales/wp_car_dealer/98-volvo-b10m-plaxton-excalibur-51-sts/

[sierraman]

Unless you've a family of 10 I'd say stick with a van.

 

Storage is a bigger with a bus for a start.

 

Fuel economy isn't tremendous depending on how it's geared, Sheffield buses for example are geared low for the hills. Guess about 8-9mpg.

 

Parts can be extremely prices, stuff like an alternator might last 4-500k but when it goes it will cost you dear.

 

Obtaining satisfactory breakdown cover might be a problem if you are fancying taking a 1985 Dennis Dominator on a round trip of Europe.

 

A lot of operators used to rent the tyres so if you buy direct from them factor this in.

 

All in all I'd say you'd need deep pockets.

[Guest Hooli]

Do not do this! all buses are horrible to drive.

 

If you must, get a coach. Another plus point is coaches have fuel gauges unlike buses.

[colnerov]

 Hi, MOT's. It will be a class five same as a private car but will need to be done at a designated or usually a ministry, testing station where they're used to dealing with the size of the vehicle. No discounted test fee, they're used to them being steamed off underneath. If it fails there's no fixing it in the yard and putting it through again, you take it away and book a retest.

 

 Colin