Vehicle Industry Registration Procedures Manual

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Section 22 of 38

Chapter 21: Special Plates

21.220 Privately-Owned School Bus

21.220 Privately-Owned School Bus (PSB) (CVC §9102.5)

A privately-owned school bus (PSB) is a school bus operated under contract or owned/operated by a private, nonprofit educational organization in accordance with rules and regulations of the Department of Education and California Highway Patrol (CHP) and used exclusively to transport school pupils at or below 12th grade level, and school employees, to and from a public or private school, or school activities. PSB registration expires 12 months from the application date and must be renewed annually.

A school bus that transports developmentally disabled persons (as defined by the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, Div. 4.5 starting with the California Welfare and Institutions Code §4.500) to or from vocational, prevocational, or work training centers sponsored by the State Department of Developmental Services is not eligible for PSB registration.

Original License Plate Application—the following must be submitted:

  • A School Bus Registration or Permit Application (REG 123) form signed by an authorized agent of the school, vehicle owner, or vehicle operator, and CHP officer who inspected and approved the vehicle for operation as a PSB.
  • The California Certificate of Title or the documents required to register the vehicle to the applicant.
  • The PSB fee (a penalty is not collected on this fee).

Renewal:

  • A School Bus Registration or Permit Application (REG 123) form signed by an authorized agent of the school, the vehicle owner, or the vehicle operator, and the CHP officer who inspected and approved the vehicle for operation as a PSB.
  • The PSB fee (a penalty is not collected on this fee).

PSB to Regular Registration—Failure to obtain operating authority prior to commercial operation subjects the school bus to full-year commercial registration fees from the date of first commercial operation.

The procedures below must be followed:

  • The California Certificate of Title or the documents required to register the vehicle to the applicant.
  • If the vehicle is commercial, a:

— Request for Commercial Registration of a Passenger Vehicle (REG 590) form from the applicant.
— Weight certificate unless the unladen weight can be verified from the title or the vehicle is over 10, 001 pounds unladen, then the estimated weight may be accepted on a Statement of Facts (REG 256) form.
— A Declaration of Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)/Combined Gross Vehicle Weight (CGW) (REG 4008) form.

  • Fees due as follows:

 Full-Year—full registration fee, prorated vehicle license fee (VLF), and prorated weight fee to the expiration date on the current registration card.
— Partial Year Registration (PYR)—full registration fee, prorated VLF to 12/31/XX, weight fee prorated for the number of months requested, and the PYR service fee.

  • The license plates currently assigned to the vehicle.

Regular Registration to PSB—The following must be submitted:

  • A School Bus Registration or Permit Application (REG 123) form signed by an authorized agent of the school, vehicle owner, vehicle operator and CHP officer who inspected and approved the vehicle for operation as a PSB.
  • The California Certificate of Title or the documents required to register the vehicle to the applicant.
  • The license plates currently assigned to the vehicle.
  • The PSB fee (a penalty is not collected on this fee).

Temporary Operation for Charter or Other Use—To operate a PSB for charter or other use where the registration fees become due, the operator may secure a temporary registration.

Vehicles Erroneously Registered as PSB—Three prior years of regular registration fees may be due if it is discovered that an organization does not qualify for PSB registration. Credit is allowed for any PSB fee previously paid and penalties are not assessed.