Church & Shuttle Buses for Sale & Rent in Tennessee
Get pricing on in-stock buses from America's #1 Church Bus Dealer, headquartered in Franklin and delivering to all 95 Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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 2,400 Buses Sold in Our Home State
Tennessee is home. Carpenter Bus Sales has sold over 2,400 buses to Tennessee churches, senior communities, schools, and shuttle operators, more than any other state. Our headquarters is at 132 Royal Oaks Blvd. in Franklin, about 20 minutes south of Nashville, open Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM Central. Between Franklin and our Elm Mott, Texas location, we generally have 200+ new and used buses in stock.
Service, Parts, and Warranty in Franklin
Our Franklin shop is right here in Tennessee. Qualified technicians handle diagnostics, warranty repairs, A/C, wheelchair lifts, and major engine work, whether or not you bought the bus from us. Replacement parts and maintenance items are available through Carpenter Bus Parts. If you're far from Franklin, covered warranty repairs can also be done at a qualified shop near you after our Warranty Administrator approves the claim, for a $100 deductible.
Download Your FREE Bus Buying Guide!
Expert tips to make your bus purchase simple and stress-free.
PlatinumCare for Tennessee 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 Tennessee organizations get PlatinumCare free on every new bus.
- Coverage: The whole bus, bumper to bumper, for 8 years and unlimited miles, including the body and the wheelchair lift. Routine maintenance and wear items aren't covered.
- Warranty Work at Home: Tennessee owners can bring covered repairs straight to our Franklin shop.
- Other Tennessee Buyers: Schools, child care programs, 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 Tennessee Industries
Church Buses for Tennessee Congregations
• PlatinumCare Included: New church buses get 8 years, unlimited miles, bumper-to-bumper coverage, free.
• Volunteers on a Class D: Tennessee says volunteers driving passenger (Class D) vehicles don't need the F endorsement, so church volunteers can usually drive a bus for 15 or fewer people on a regular license.
• Rent Before You Buy: Need a bus for a retreat or mission trip first? Churches can rent a self-drive bus from Franklin. Buses for 15 or fewer passengers require $2 million in liability coverage.
• Financing in Your Church's Name: We almost always finance with the church itself, not individual members.
Wheelchair Accessible Buses for Tennessee Senior Care
• PlatinumCare Included: Senior care communities get 8 years, unlimited miles, bumper to bumper, free, and the lift is covered.
• Paid Drivers and the F Endorsement: Tennessee requires the F (for-hire) endorsement when your main job is driving people, such as a shuttle driver. If your community employs a driver, plan for it.
• Lift Service in Franklin: Our Franklin technicians service wheelchair lifts, so Tennessee communities have lift support close by.
• Walk-Away Lease Option: Many senior communities lease so they can return the bus after a few years.
Activity Buses for Tennessee Schools & Child Care
• Child Care Agencies: Tennessee requires vehicles built for 10 or more passengers that carry child care children to meet federal school bus safety standards, and drivers need the F endorsement.
• Activity Buses (MFSABs): Activity buses are built to the same federal structural standards as a yellow school bus, without the stop arm or yellow paint.
• Private Schools: For athletics, field trips, and adult groups, private schools can usually choose any of our shuttle buses. Check Tennessee rules before using a bus for daily routes.
• No Yellow Buses: We don't sell yellow school buses.
Tennessee 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 | Class D for volunteers; F endorsement if driving is your main job |
| 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. Tennessee's regular license is Class D. The F (for-hire) endorsement is required when your main job is driving people or property in a Class D vehicle, and volunteers don't need it. Buses designed for 16 or more people generally need a CDL. Confirm with Tennessee Driver Services before you buy.
Delivery to All 95 Tennessee Counties
Come see us in Franklin, or we'll deliver anywhere in Tennessee, from Memphis and Jackson to Clarksville, Nashville, Chattanooga, Knoxville, and the Tri-Cities.
- Visit Franklin: Our lot is about 20 minutes south of Nashville, roughly 2 hours from Chattanooga and about 3 hours from Knoxville or Memphis.
- 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, and your specialist will quote the current rate. Bargain Bus Deals buses are pickup only, an easy trip for Tennessee buyers.
- Lettering: We can add your church, school, or company name before delivery or pickup. Allow a couple of extra weeks.
Tennessee Bus FAQ
Only if driving is their main job. Tennessee requires the F (for-hire) endorsement when your main job is driving people or property in a Class D vehicle, such as a shuttle driver. Volunteers driving Class D vehicles don't need it. Buses designed for 16 or more people, including the driver, generally need a CDL with a Passenger endorsement.
Yes. We rent self-drive buses from our Franklin headquarters for 1 day up to 12 months. You provide the driver and the insurance: churches renting a bus for 15 or fewer passengers need $2 million in liability coverage, and all other renters and larger buses need $5 million. Book 2 to 4 weeks ahead, especially for spring break and summer trips.
Tennessee child care rules (1240-04-01-.17) require vehicles built for 10 or more passengers to meet federal school bus safety standards, require drivers to hold an F endorsement, and call for an adult monitor in addition to the driver for many groups of young children. Activity buses (MFSABs) are built to those structural standards. Check the current rules with the Tennessee Department of Human Services before you buy.
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 supply activity buses (MFSABs) for schools and child care, plus L.A. West luxury executive coaches for smaller groups.
Yes. Used inventory changes daily, and used church buses generally run $40,000 to $80,000 depending on year, mileage, and condition. You can see them on our Franklin lot, and a used bus keeps whatever factory warranty remains.
Yes. Our headquarters is at 132 Royal Oaks Blvd., Franklin, TN 37067, about 20 minutes south of Nashville. We're open Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM Central. Call (800) 370-6180 to make sure the bus you want is on the lot.
Tennessee Agencies to Know
Here's who handles what when a Tennessee organization buys and runs a bus. Rules can change, so confirm the details with each agency.
- Driver Licenses: Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Driver Services issues Class D licenses, the F endorsement, and CDLs.
- Title and Registration: Tennessee vehicles are generally titled and registered at your county clerk's office. Your paperwork from us starts with the titling form you complete with your specialist.
- Child Care Transportation: The Tennessee Department of Human Services licenses child care agencies. Its transportation rule is 1240-04-01-.17.
- Federal Rules: The FMCSA sets the federal CDL rules Tennessee follows, and NHTSA sets the school bus and other safety standards new buses are built to.