Renting a bus

[pstylesss]

I need to rent a charter bus for 30 or so teens/adults total. We have 4 people with valid CDLs. So far I'm finding that we can't just rent a bus without a driver, we need their driver too. Anyone have any tips or anything they can give me? Our only real requirement is that it have a bathroom in it we'd also just provide our own driver as it would be much easier.

Thanks!

 

[Injury]

AAA or a trip planner could probably get you set up but WITH a driver.

I'm guessing by the time you pay for insurance to have someone drive it you've pretty much paid the same to hire a driver.

 

[bobross419]

Some churches have buses that they use. You might be able to rent from them.

 

[pstylesss]

Originally posted by: Injury
AAA or a trip planner could probably get you set up but WITH a driver.

I'm guessing by the time you pay for insurance to have someone drive it you've pretty much paid the same to hire a driver.

We have insurance that will cover something like this already.

 

[KLin]

http://www.calmis.ca.gov/file/occguide/Bussdriv.htm

Licensing and Certification

Transit, Inter-City, Tour, and Shuttle Bus Drivers in vehicles that carry more than ten passengers must get a California Class B with passenger endorsement driver's license. Requirements for this license are listed in the Class B Licensing Handbook obtainable at any California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office.

To qualify for the required Class B permit and license to carry passengers, applicants must be able to pass a pre-employment physical examination and must have good eyesight with or without corrective lenses. Bus Drivers need a physical exam every two years.

The legal minimum age is 18 to drive a bus within the State. Drivers must be at least 21 to drive a bus across state lines. Drivers over 70 must pass an annual exam.

Tour bus companies require Bus Drivers to get a Tour Bus Certificate from the DMV. For shuttle vans carrying fewer than ten passengers, a California Class C standard driver's license is usually sufficient.

Do any of the adults have a Class B driver's license? If not, you're SOL. Anyways, I doubt you're going to find a charter bus to rent without a driver.

 

[0roo0roo]

you can rent those extra long vans. 4 rows i think?

 

[KLin]

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/cdl_htm/lic_chart.htm

Nice chart for the different classes.

 

[pstylesss]

Originally posted by: KLin
http://www.calmis.ca.gov/file/occguide/Bussdriv.htm

Licensing and Certification

Transit, Inter-City, Tour, and Shuttle Bus Drivers in vehicles that carry more than ten passengers must get a California Class B with passenger endorsement driver's license. Requirements for this license are listed in the Class B Licensing Handbook obtainable at any California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office.

To qualify for the required Class B permit and license to carry passengers, applicants must be able to pass a pre-employment physical examination and must have good eyesight with or without corrective lenses. Bus Drivers need a physical exam every two years.

The legal minimum age is 18 to drive a bus within the State. Drivers must be at least 21 to drive a bus across state lines. Drivers over 70 must pass an annual exam.

Tour bus companies require Bus Drivers to get a Tour Bus Certificate from the DMV. For shuttle vans carrying fewer than ten passengers, a California Class C standard driver's license is usually sufficient.

Do any of the adults have a Class B driver's license? If not, you're SOL. Anyways, I doubt you're going to find a charter bus to rent without a driver.

Yes, we do. That looks like CA's law anyway.

 

[pstylesss]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
you can rent those extra long vans. 4 rows i think?

We have one of those but wanted something with a bathroom to cut down on our trip time. Also, going the bus route could allow us to bring other people outside of our church along to help cut the total cost.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: ZeroIQ

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
you can rent those extra long vans. 4 rows i think?

We have one of those but wanted something with a bathroom to cut down on our trip time. Also, going the bus route could allow us to bring other people outside of our church along to help cut the total cost.

They sell these giant jars of pickles at the grocery store...

 

[pstylesss]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: ZeroIQ

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
you can rent those extra long vans. 4 rows i think?

We have one of those but wanted something with a bathroom to cut down on our trip time. Also, going the bus route could allow us to bring other people outside of our church along to help cut the total cost.

They sell these giant jars of pickles at the grocery store...

I'm sure the guys would be just fine with it... but the girls might be a little annoyed.

 

[bobross419]

Originally posted by: ZeroIQ

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
you can rent those extra long vans. 4 rows i think?

We have one of those but wanted something with a bathroom to cut down on our trip time. Also, going the bus route could allow us to bring other people outside of our church along to help cut the total cost.

Talk to some of the other churches in your area. Here in Daytona Beach I know of 3 or 4 churches that have their own busses. Some in your area probably have their own as well. They might be willing to loan it out to you.

 

[mattocs]

Originally posted by: KLin
http://www.calmis.ca.gov/file/occguide/Bussdriv.htm

Licensing and Certification

Transit, Inter-City, Tour, and Shuttle Bus Drivers in vehicles that carry more than ten passengers must get a California Class B with passenger endorsement driver's license. Requirements for this license are listed in the Class B Licensing Handbook obtainable at any California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office.

To qualify for the required Class B permit and license to carry passengers, applicants must be able to pass a pre-employment physical examination and must have good eyesight with or without corrective lenses. Bus Drivers need a physical exam every two years.

The legal minimum age is 18 to drive a bus within the State. Drivers must be at least 21 to drive a bus across state lines. Drivers over 70 must pass an annual exam.

Tour bus companies require Bus Drivers to get a Tour Bus Certificate from the DMV. For shuttle vans carrying fewer than ten passengers, a California Class C standard driver's license is usually sufficient.

Do any of the adults have a Class B driver's license? If not, you're SOL. Anyways, I doubt you're going to find a charter bus to rent without a driver.

A is greater than B. If you have an A (combination vehicles) you can drive something that only requires a B. BUT, the CDL holder needs to have a passenger endorsement.