Large Buses for Sale

Learn more about large buses

A large bus seats 31 to 45 people including the driver, built on the Ford F550, Ford F650, Freightliner, or International TC chassis. Every large bus requires a CDL, and which class depends on which chassis you choose.

Best fit: Charter operators, church campuses, and fleet accounts.

Budget: New large buses start around $170,000. Used ones start around $90,000.

Compare: CDL class, chassis and model options, and storage capacity.

Need help choosing? Read how CDL class depends on your chassis, and what storage options are built in, after the listings. View the decision guide

Related large bus resources: CDL rules by bus size Gas vs. diesel Wheelchair accessible buses Activity buses (MFSAB)

Large Bus Decision Guide

Large buses seat 31 to 45 people including the driver, and every one of them requires a CDL. What changes from bus to bus is the chassis, and the chassis decides your CDL class, your passenger capacity, and whether a wheelchair lift is something we stock or something we order. This guide walks through all three.

Which CDL Class Does a Large Bus Need?

Every large bus is easily over the 16 passenger threshold, so a CDL with a passenger endorsement is required under federal law no matter which chassis you choose.* Which class of CDL depends on the bus's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), and that comes down to the chassis.

CDL class by chassis for Carpenter Bus Sales large buses
Chassis	Typical GVWR	CDL class
Ford F550	Under 26,001 lbs	Class C
Ford F650	25,999 lbs	Class C
Freightliner	26,000 to 30,000 lbs	Class C or B, depending on build
International TC	27,500 to 30,000 lbs	Class B

Ford F550 and F650 chassis both stay under the Class B threshold. Freightliner can be spec'd at a higher GVWR that crosses into Class B, and International TC is built above that line by default. Confirm the GVWR on the specific unit you're considering rather than assuming by chassis name alone.

*Some states may have their own requirements that differ from the federal threshold. Confirm with your state's DMV before assuming.

F550 or Freightliner: How Much Capacity Do You Need?

We stock the Ford F550 more than any other large-bus chassis, and it tops out at 33 passengers including the driver. For most large-bus buyers, that's the sweet spot: enough seats for a full group, on the lightest chassis in this size class.

If your group runs bigger than 33, the Freightliner and Ford F650 chassis carry up to 45. The F650 is built less often than the Freightliner, so Freightliner is usually the faster path to more seats. Either one is available to order for organizations that need the extra capacity.

Large Models We Sell

Large bus models Carpenter Bus Sales sells, by chassis and CDL class
Model	Chassis	CDL class
Starcraft XL	Ford F550	Class C
Starcraft XL	Ford F650	Class C
Starcraft XL	Freightliner	Class C or B, depending on build
Starcraft XL	International TC	Class B
Glaval Entourage	Ford F550	Class C
Glaval Legacy	Freightliner	Class C or B, depending on build

Choosing between gas and diesel? The right answer depends on how many miles you drive and how long you plan to keep the bus.
To learn more, please read our gas vs. diesel engine guide.

Wheelchair Accessible Large Buses

Henry Headden, owner of Carpenter Bus Sales, has sold buses for about 40 years, and he sets how we stock large buses for wheelchair access.

"We keep a small number of Ford F550 Starcraft XL units in stock with wheelchair stations," says Headden. "It's a limited slice of our large-bus inventory, so availability moves faster than it does in smaller sizes."

"We don't stock Freightliner units with a lift. A wheelchair-equipped Freightliner is always a custom order," Headden says. "Most organizations buying a bus this large want to seat as many ambulatory riders as possible, so the demand for a stocked wheelchair Freightliner just isn't there. If you need one, we'll build it to your configuration."

Storage on a Large Bus

Large buses aren't built like a 55-passenger motorcoach, with a full luggage bay running underneath the whole cabin. Standard storage on most models is interior: overhead racks, interior luggage racks, and a rear luggage area behind the last row.

Some models offer an exterior storage option, but it's a smaller compartment mounted in the side skirt, usually on the passenger side, not a bay that runs the length of the bus. If overnight or multi-day trips are part of your plan, tell your rep up front so they can spec the right combination of interior and exterior storage.

Warranty on Large Buses

Churches and senior care communities get our 8-year unlimited-mile PlatinumCare warranty at no cost. All other buyers get 5-year/60,000-mile SilverCare free, with the option to upgrade to 7-year/70,000-mile GoldCare. See warranty details

Large Bus FAQs

Do all large buses need a CDL?

Yes. Every large bus seats 31 or more, well above the 16-person federal threshold, so a CDL with a passenger endorsement is required regardless of chassis.* *Some states may have their own requirements that differ from the federal threshold. Confirm with your state's DMV before assuming.

Is it Class B or Class C?

It depends on the chassis. Ford F550 and F650 large buses stay under the Class B threshold, so they're Class C. Freightliner can land on either side of that line depending on the build, and International TC is built above it by default, so it's Class B. Ask your rep to confirm the GVWR on the specific unit you're considering.

How many passengers can a large bus seat?

31 to 45, including the driver. Our stocked Ford F550 units top out at 33. For groups larger than that, the Freightliner and Ford F650 chassis carry up to 45 and are available to order.

How much does a large bus cost?

New starts around $170,000. Used starts around $90,000.

Do you have wheelchair accessible large buses?

Yes, on a limited basis. We stock a small number of Ford F550 Starcraft XL units with wheelchair stations. A wheelchair-equipped Freightliner is always built to order.

Why don't you stock wheelchair Freightliners?

Most organizations buying a bus that large want maximum ambulatory seating, not wheelchair stations, so the demand for a stocked unit isn't there. We build them to order for organizations that need one.

Does the 8-year warranty apply?

Yes, for churches and senior care buyers.

Compare Other Sizes

Mid Size Buses (16 to 30 passengers)

Smaller groups, and a lower seat count if you'd rather run two vehicles than one.

Used Buses

The same large-bus capacity at a lower starting price, once our service department has been through it.

Talk to a rep

Get help choosing the right large bus for your chassis, CDL, and capacity needs.

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