Michigan: titling a converted school bus
Rebuilt salvage; reconstructed (identical body-unit swap)
At a glance
| Inspection required | Yes (rebuilt salvage) | |
|---|---|---|
| Inspection type | Salvage vehicle inspector (specially trained LEO) | |
| Conversion pathway | Rebuilt salvage; reconstructed (identical body-unit swap) | |
| Motorhome/RV feature requirements | Not detailed; needs verification | |
| School-bus markings / color-change | NEEDS VERIFICATION | |
| Forms required | TR-13A Application for Salvage Vehicle Inspection; TR-13B recertification; major-part receipts | |
| Fees | See SOS fee schedule | |
| Structural repair note | Inspector verifies VIN/part numbers, parts ownership, code compliance before Rebuilt Salvage title |
Official source - summarized
Distressed Vehicles / TR-13A (MI SOS Dealer Manual Ch. 5)
Rebuilt salvage requires inspection by a certified salvage vehicle inspector verifying VIN/part numbers, proof of ownership of repair parts, and code compliance; TR-13B recertification then issued.
Summarized, not yet checked word-for-word - open the source above before quoting it elsewhere.
Verify verbatim in Dealer Manual Chapter 5.
Where to look this up yourself
| State DMV/DOT | https://www.michigan.gov/sos | |
|---|---|---|
| Conversion / inspection page | https://www.michigan.gov/sos/vehicle/titles |
Structural repair and "call a pro" guidance for this region
Rebuilt/reconstructed inspections mostly focus on VIN plus parts receipts; Nebraska uses a county sheriff, and North Dakota requires an independent shop to certify frame and alignment.
Keep parts receipts; in ND, expect an independent shop to certify your frame.
See the full buying & build checklist → Insurance & registration guide