School busses are a familiar sight, and trigger nostalgia in just about anyone who sees them. They’re a necessity—but whether you’re managing a fleet or trying to drive a single bus, you’ll want to make sure you get the right kind. We here at White’s International Trucks are here to help you get the school bus that’s right for your needs, and we’ve put together a brief guide below. To learn more, or to see the school busses we have for sale, contact our stores throughout the great state of North Carolina, today!
What Defines A Class Of Bus
Busses are divided into classes by two factors. One, the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), highlights how much weight the bus can handle, including both the bus itself, all passengers, and all cargo. The other factor is, of course, seating capacity.
Type A
A Type A school bus tends to look like a converted van, and sometimes is, with a left-side driver door and cutaway front section. They’re the smallest class of school bus and have two subgroups: A1 and A2. A1 busses have a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less, while A2 busses have a GVWR of over 10,000 pounds. Both subgroups can seat between 10 and 30 people. These are best for smaller groups traveling shorter distances.
Type B
These aren’t common nowadays, but they’re still functional and reliable. Their GVWR is over 10,000 pounds and they can seat over 10 passengers, similar to type A busses. The difference is in the design. The body is connected to a front-section chassis and some of the engine is located behind the windshield near the driver’s seat.
Type C
Type C’s are much larger. Technically, their GVWR just needs to be over 10,000 to qualify, but they often land in the 23,500 to 29,500 range. They only really need to carry over 10 passengers, but again, can often carry many more. This is another class where the major difference is design. Type C busses have the engine in front of the windshield, like you’d find with a truck or car. These are the most common school bus option.
Type D
The largest bus class is Type D. The GVWR and passenger capacity is still technically the same, but these busses are the kind you find as public or city transportation. The engine can be mounted in the front, in the middle, or in the rear. A bus might include the abbreviations FE or RE to indicate whether it has a front engine or rear engine, respectively.
We hope this helps you find the right school bus! To learn more, or to see the school busses we have for sale, contact us at White’s International Trucks. We proudly serve the people of North Carolina—let us serve you today!