New & Used Church, Senior & Shuttle Buses for Sale in Texas
Get pricing on in-stock buses from America's #1 Church Bus Dealer, with a location just north of Waco and delivery to all 254 Texas 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 Texas 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 1,200 Buses and Vans Sold to Texas Organizations
Carpenter Bus Sales has sold over 1,200 buses and vans to Texas churches, senior communities, schools, and shuttle operators. Texas is home to one of our two locations: Elm Mott, just north of Waco on I-35, between Dallas and Austin. It handles sales, service, parts, and rentals, and together with our Franklin, Tennessee headquarters, we generally have 200+ new and used buses in stock. Your Texas specialist can help you compare sizes, features, and financing, then set up a visit or a delivery.
Service at Our Elm Mott Shop
Our Elm Mott shop has six full-service bays and qualified technicians who are factory-trained on Braun and Ricon wheelchair lifts. It also has a 60-foot paint and body booth and handles federal DOT inspections and fleet maintenance programs. We service buses no matter where you bought them. Call (254) 799-3000 to schedule. If you're far from Waco, approved warranty repairs can be done at a qualified shop near you.
Download Your FREE Bus Buying Guide!
Expert tips to make your bus purchase simple and stress-free.
PlatinumCare for Texas Churches & Senior Care
Carpenter Bus Sales offers the only 8-year unlimited mile warranty in the industry for churches, ministries, and senior care communities. Texas organizations that qualify get it free on every new bus.
- Whole-Bus Coverage: Eight years with no mileage limit, bumper to bumper, including the body and the wheelchair lift. Routine maintenance and wear items like filters and wiper blades are not covered.
- A Texas Warranty Contact: David Rogers handles parts and warranty at our Elm Mott location, so Texas customers have a warranty contact close by.
- Everyone Else: Schools, shuttle operators, and charter companies get SilverCare free for 5 years or 60,000 miles, bumper to bumper, and can upgrade to GoldCare (7 years or 70,000 miles) for $800. All three programs are for new buses only.
Custom Solutions for Texas Industries
Buses for Texas Churches & Ministries
• PlatinumCare Included: New church buses come with 8 years, unlimited miles, bumper-to-bumper coverage at no charge.
• Non-CDL Buses: In Texas, a bus designed for 15 or fewer people, including the driver, can generally be driven on a standard Class C driver license, the everyday license most volunteers already carry.
• Rent Before You Buy: Need a bus for a mission trip or retreat first? Churches can rent a self-drive bus from our Elm Mott location. Buses for 15 or fewer passengers require $2 million in liability coverage.
• Financing in Your Church's Name: We almost always write church financing in the church's name, so leaders aren't personally on the hook.
Wheelchair Accessible Buses for Texas Senior Care
• PlatinumCare Included: Senior care communities get 8 years, unlimited miles, bumper to bumper, free, and the wheelchair lift is covered.
• Lift Service in Texas: Our Elm Mott technicians are factory-trained on Braun and Ricon wheelchair lifts.
• Walk-Away Lease Option: Many senior care communities choose a walk-away lease so they can return the bus after a few years, and PlatinumCare still applies.
• Ride Comfort: Air ride suspension and upgraded seating make the biggest difference for residents.
Shuttle Buses for Texas Private Schools
• Athletics & Field Trips: Private schools buy from us most often for teams, field trips, and activities, and many choose the same shuttle buses churches use.
• Private School Flexibility: Private schools aren't limited to school-bus-style vehicles, so any of our shuttle buses can be an option. Confirm Texas rules for student transportation, especially for daily routes.
• The Texas CDL Lines: In Texas, a bus designed for 16 to 23 people generally needs a Class C CDL, and 24 or more generally needs a Class B CDL.
• Activity Buses Available: Want school bus safety standards? We can also supply activity buses (MFSABs). We don't sell yellow school buses.
Texas Bus Sizes and License Classes
| Bus Size | Passengers (incl. driver) | Common Uses | License Needed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Bus | 15 or fewer | Church outings, assisted living trips, hotel shuttles | Generally a standard Class C driver license |
| Medium Bus | 16 to 23 | Youth groups, campus shuttles, school athletics | Generally a Class C CDL with Passenger endorsement |
| Medium Bus | 24 to 30 | Larger church groups, school teams, employee shuttles | Generally a Class B CDL with Passenger endorsement |
| Large Bus | 31 to 45 | Big group trips, airport 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. Texas draws two lines for buses: 16 to 23 people generally calls for a Class C CDL, and 24 or more generally calls for a Class B CDL, both with a Passenger endorsement. Some drivers are exempt from a CDL but may still need a Class A or B license, so confirm with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) before you buy.
Delivery Across All 254 Texas Counties
From Houston and the Rio Grande Valley to Amarillo and El Paso, we deliver anywhere in Texas. Or drive to our Elm Mott location on I-35, between Dallas and Austin, and see buses in person.
- See Buses in Person: Our Elm Mott lot is at 6400 Old Dallas Road, open Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM Central. Committees often decide faster after walking through a bus.
- How Fast: 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.
- What It Costs: Delivery is charged per mile, one way, and your specialist will give you the current rate. Bargain Bus Deals buses are pickup only, which is easy when the lot is in Texas.
- Lettering: We can add your church, school, or company name before the bus leaves. Give it a couple of extra weeks.
Texas Bus FAQ
It depends on the bus. A bus designed for 15 or fewer people, including the driver, can generally be driven on a standard Class C license. From 16 to 23 people, Texas generally requires a Class C CDL with a Passenger endorsement, and at 24 or more, a Class B CDL. Churches don't get a general CDL exemption, so confirm with the Texas Department of Public Safety before you buy.
Yes. Our Elm Mott location is at 6400 Old Dallas Road, just north of Waco off I-35, between Dallas and Austin. It's open Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM Central. Your specialist can tell you which buses are on the lot before you make the drive.
We don't sell yellow school buses. Texas private schools have more flexibility than public schools, so many choose one of our shuttle buses for athletics, field trips, and activities. We can also supply activity buses (MFSABs), which are built to the same federal structural standards as a yellow school bus. Check Texas rules before using any bus for daily routes.
We don't sell full-size highway motorcoaches. Our buses carry up to 45 people, including the driver. For a more upscale ride, our L.A. West luxury executive coaches seat a smaller group in comfort, and our large buses seat 31 to 45.
Yes. We rent self-drive buses from our Elm Mott location 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.
Yes. Our Elm Mott shop services buses no matter where you bought them, including wheelchair lifts, A/C, DOT inspections, and paint and body work. Call (254) 799-3000 to schedule.
Texas Agencies to Know
Texas splits bus rules across a few agencies. Rules can change, so confirm the details with each one.
- Licenses: The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) issues driver licenses and CDLs, including the Class B and Class C CDLs most larger buses need.
- Title and Registration: The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) handles titles and registration. Your paperwork from us starts with the titling form you complete with your specialist.
- Child Care Transportation: Licensed child care centers in Texas follow Texas Health and Human Services rules for transporting children. Check them before you choose a bus.
- Schools: Private schools should confirm student transportation rules with the Texas Education Agency, especially for daily routes.
Key Resources
- Texas DPS: Classes of Driver Licenses
- Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV)
- Texas Child Care Licensing (HHSC)
- Texas Education Agency
- FMCSA: Commercial Driver's License Rules
- NHTSA: Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
- Carpenter Bus State-by-State CDL Guide
- Carpenter Bus Rentals in Texas
- Carpenter Bus Elm Mott, Texas Location