Used & New Shuttle Buses for Sale in Ohio
Get pricing on in-stock buses from America's #1 Church Bus Dealer, delivering to Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo & all 88 counties.
What happens next
- 1Tell us what you need: One short form. Takes about a minute.
- 2Get your pricing: Our 5 best-priced new buses, one in every size, sent to you right away.
- 3Find the right fit: Your Ohio specialist helps you compare sizes, features, and financing.
*Free lettering: 3 lines per side and 3 on the rear, text only, on bus purchases finalized within 90 days of inquiry.
Over 200 Buses Sold to Ohio Organizations
Carpenter Bus Sales has sold over 200 buses to Ohio churches, senior communities, schools, and shuttle operators, from Cincinnati and Dayton to Columbus, Toledo, Cleveland, and Akron. Cincinnati is about four and a half hours from our Franklin, Tennessee headquarters, so southern Ohio buyers can see a bus in person and drive it home the same day. Between Franklin and our Elm Mott, Texas location, we generally have 200+ new and used buses in stock.
Warranty Repairs at an Ohio Shop
Ohio owners don't need to bring a bus back to Tennessee for covered repairs. Once our Warranty Administrator approves the claim, a qualified Ohio shop does the work, you pay a $100 deductible, and we pay the shop for approved parts and labor. Our qualified technicians in Franklin also handle bigger jobs, wherever you bought the bus.
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PlatinumCare for Ohio Churches & Senior Care
Carpenter Bus Sales offers the only 8-year unlimited mile warranty in the industry for churches, ministries, and senior care communities. Qualifying Ohio organizations get PlatinumCare free on every new bus.
- What It Covers: The whole bus, bumper to bumper, including the body and wheelchair lift, for 8 years and unlimited miles. Routine maintenance and wear items aren't covered.
- New vs. Used: PlatinumCare applies to new buses. A used bus keeps whatever factory warranty remains, and an optional service contract is available.
- Other Ohio Buyers: Schools, shuttle operators, and businesses get SilverCare free (5 years or 60,000 miles) and can upgrade to GoldCare (7 years or 70,000 miles) for $800. New buses only.
Custom Solutions for Ohio Industries
Church Buses for Ohio Congregations
• PlatinumCare Included: New church buses get 8 years, unlimited miles, bumper-to-bumper coverage, free.
• Volunteer Drivers: Ohio's BMV sets the CDL line at vehicles designed for 16 or more people, including the driver, so a bus for 15 or fewer can usually be driven on a regular Class D license.
• Church Child Care: Ohio child care centers must have each vehicle safety-checked every year and inspected by staff every week.
• Financing in Your Church's Name: We almost always finance with the church itself, not individual members.
Wheelchair Accessible Buses for Ohio Senior Care
• PlatinumCare Included: Senior care communities get 8 years, unlimited miles, bumper to bumper, free, and the lift is covered.
• Bus or Wheelchair Van: Wheelchair vans fit standard parking and hold 2 to 8 wheelchair positions without a CDL. Wheelchair buses carry more people and have a center aisle.
• Lift and Seating: Choose a rear or side lift, wheelchair securement, and fold-away seats to fit your residents.
• Walk-Away Lease Option: Many senior communities lease so they can return the bus after a few years.
Shuttle Buses for Ohio Private Schools
• Teams and Trips: Ohio private schools buy from us most often for athletics, field trips, and activities.
• Flexibility: Private schools can usually choose any of our shuttle buses, not just school-bus-style vehicles. Check Ohio rules before using a bus for daily routes.
• Mind the CDL Line: Ohio's Class C CDL covers buses designed for 16 or more people, including the driver, and school buses that aren't Class A or B.
• Activity Buses Available: We can also supply activity buses (MFSABs), built to yellow school bus structural standards. We don't sell yellow school buses.
Ohio Bus Sizes and Licenses
| Bus Size | Passengers (incl. driver) | Common Uses | License Needed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Bus | 15 or fewer | Church outings, assisted living trips, hotel and airport shuttles | Usually a regular Class D license |
| Medium Bus | 16 to 30 | Youth groups, campus and parking shuttles, school athletics | Generally a Class C CDL with Passenger endorsement (Class B if 26,001 lbs or more) |
| Large Bus | 31 to 45 | Large church trips, employee and event shuttles | Generally a Class B CDL with Passenger endorsement |
Passenger counts include the driver, and our largest buses carry up to 45 people. Ohio's BMV requires the Passenger (P) endorsement for vehicles designed to carry 16 or more people, including the driver. Confirm with the Ohio BMV before you buy.
Delivery to All 88 Ohio Counties
We deliver anywhere in Ohio, from Cincinnati, Dayton, and Columbus to Toledo, Cleveland, Akron, Canton, and Youngstown.
- Timing: In-stock buses can often be delivered the same week or the next, and almost always within a month. Factory orders take 60 days to 9 months, depending on chassis availability.
- Cost: Delivery is charged per mile, one way. Your specialist will quote the current rate. Bargain Bus Deals buses are pickup only.
- Southern Ohio Pickup: Our Franklin headquarters is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM Central, about four and a half hours from Cincinnati.
- Lettering: We can add your church, school, or company name before delivery. Allow a couple of extra weeks.
Ohio Bus FAQ
Ohio's BMV requires a CDL with a Passenger endorsement for vehicles designed to carry 16 or more people, including the driver. A bus designed for 15 or fewer people can usually be driven on a regular Class D license. If your drivers are paid, ask the BMV whether anything else applies.
At a county Clerk of Courts title office. The Ohio BMV says it does not issue titles itself. Your paperwork from us starts with the titling form you complete with your specialist, and registration goes through the BMV.
Ohio's center rule (OAC 5180:2-12-14) calls for drivers 18 or older with the right license, weekly staff vehicle inspections, an annual safety check by an ASE-certified mechanic or other approved inspector, one person per seat belt, and extra adults on board based on the number and ages of children. The Ohio Department of Children and Youth oversees child care licensing.
Yes. Used inventory changes daily, and used church buses generally run $40,000 to $80,000 depending on year, mileage, and condition. A used bus keeps whatever factory warranty remains, and an optional service contract is available.
No. We don't sell yellow school buses or full-size highway motorcoaches. Our buses carry up to 45 people, including the driver, and we can supply activity buses (MFSABs) for school trips and activities.
Ohio Agencies to Know
Here's who handles what when an Ohio organization buys and runs a bus. Rules can change, so confirm the details with each office.
- Licenses and Registration: The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) issues licenses and CDLs and handles registration.
- Titles: County Clerk of Courts title offices issue Ohio titles. Your paperwork from us starts with the titling form you complete with your specialist.
- Child Care Transportation: The Ohio Department of Children and Youth oversees child care licensing. Its center transportation rule is OAC 5180:2-12-14.
- Federal Rules: The FMCSA sets the federal CDL rules Ohio follows, and NHTSA sets the safety standards new buses are built to.