For private schools, academies and camps
Van, activity bus or Type A: what your school may buy
A school carrying students regularly needs a vehicle built to school bus safety standards, because federal law bars dealers from selling it a new van for that job. For routes, that means a school bus. For athletics and trips only, an activity bus (MFSAB) meets the same standards without the stop arm and lights.
The options side by side
| Vehicle | How it is built | Seats | Student use | CDL | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15-passenger van | A passenger van | Up to 15 including the driver | No new van for regular student transport | No | Why schools move off vans |
| Type A school bus | A school bus body on a van cutaway chassis | 12 to 29 on our listings | Yes, routes and trips | Depends on seats and weight | See Type A buses |
| Activity bus (MFSAB) | School bus safety standards without the stop arm and flashing lights | 14 to 44 on our listings | Trips and events only, not home-to-school stops | Depends on seats and weight | See activity buses |
| Type C school bus | A body on a conventional chassis with a hood, engine in front | Full-size buses on our listings mostly seat 71 to 77 | Yes, routes and trips | Yes, with passenger and school bus endorsements | See school buses |
| Type D school bus | A transit-style body, door ahead of the front wheels | Full-size, similar to Type C | Yes, routes and trips | Yes, with passenger and school bus endorsements | See school buses |
Seat ranges are the middle 80% of stated capacity on our current listings. Weight limits for each type are set by each state; check your state's school bus code.
How to choose
- Picking up students at stops on a route: a school bus (Type A for small routes).
- Athletics, field trips and events only: an activity bus, or a school bus.
- No CDL drivers on staff: look at buses built for 15 or fewer people including the driver, then check your state's rules for school drivers. The CDL checker shows the federal answer.
- Board approval needed: the board proposal tool writes it with the federal school rule included.
Common questions
Can a private school use a 15-passenger van?
A dealer may not sell or lease a new vehicle that carries more than 10 passengers to a school for regular student transport unless it meets school bus safety standards (49 U.S.C. 30112), which a 15-passenger van does not. The federal rule covers new vehicles; using or buying a used van is up to your state, and several states restrict it.
What is an MFSAB?
A multifunction school activity bus: a bus built to school bus safety standards that is not used for home-to-school routes, so it does not need the stop arm and flashing lights. Schools use it for athletics, field trips and events.
What is the difference between Type A, B, C and D school buses?
Type A is built on a van cutaway chassis. Type B is a body on a stripped chassis with the door behind the front wheels. Type C has a hood with the engine in front. Type D is transit-style with the door ahead of the front wheels. Each state sets its own weight limits for each type.
Do you need a CDL to drive a Type A school bus?
Under federal rules, a driver needs a CDL for a vehicle designed for 16 or more people including the driver or rated at 26,001 lb or more. A small Type A can fall under both lines; check the seat count and weight label, then your state's school bus driver rules, which are often stricter.