Illinois Form DSD CDTS 10 Insurance Certificate Guide – If you operate or plan to open a commercial driver training school in Illinois, Form DSD CDTS 10 (Insurance Certificate) is a mandatory document. Issued by the Illinois Secretary of State (SOS), this form proves that your training vehicles carry the required liability insurance while used for driving instruction.
This guide explains what the form is, who needs it, minimum insurance limits, how to complete it, where to submit it, and provides the official download link. All information is drawn from official Illinois Secretary of State resources and the Illinois Vehicle Code.
What Is Form DSD CDTS 10?
Form DSD CDTS 10 is the official Secretary of State Insurance Certificate used by commercial driver training schools in Illinois. It certifies that the school’s motor vehicles listed on the accompanying Schedule II (Driver Training School Motor Vehicle Fleet) and any supplements are covered by liability insurance that meets state requirements.
The form must be completed by an authorized insurance carrier or company and attached to the school’s vehicle fleet schedule. It is required both for initial licensing and ongoing compliance.
Official source: Illinois Secretary of State Commercial Drivers Publications and Forms.
Who Needs to File Form DSD CDTS 10?
Any person or entity applying for or renewing a license to operate a commercial driver training school in Illinois must file this form. This includes schools offering:
- Teen driver education
- Adult driver education (ages 18–20)
- Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training
- Behind-the-wheel instruction for a fee
Public high schools and educational institutions where driving is part of the regular curriculum are generally exempt. The requirement applies specifically to commercial (for-profit or fee-based) driver training schools regulated under the Illinois Vehicle Code.
Reference: Illinois SOS Commercial Driver Training Schools page.
Minimum Insurance Coverage Requirements
Under Illinois Vehicle Code Section 6-402(d), training vehicles must carry bodily injury and property damage liability insurance while used for driving instruction. The policy must protect the driving school, its instructors, and any person taking instruction.
Minimum limits required:
- $50,000 for bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident
- $100,000 for bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in any one accident (subject to the single-person limit)
- $10,000 for damage to property of others in any one accident
The insurance carrier must certify that it is solvent, authorized to do business in Illinois, and that the policy will not be canceled, revoked, terminated, or otherwise cease to be effective until 10 days’ prior written notice is given to the Secretary of State, Commercial Driver Training School Section.
A decal showing evidence of insurance must be affixed to the windshield of each training vehicle.
Legal basis: 625 ILCS 5/6-402 (Illinois Vehicle Code).
How to Complete Form DSD CDTS 10?
The form must be printed or typed. Key sections include:
- Policyholder Information — Name and full street address of the driving school (policyholder).
- Insurance Carrier Certification — The insurance company certifies solvency, authorization to do business in Illinois, coverage of the listed vehicles, the required liability limits, and the 10-day cancellation notice requirement.
- Insurance Carrier Details — Name, phone number, street address, city, state, ZIP, and certification date (month/day/year).
- Insured Vehicles — List of vehicles (owned or leased), including year, make, serial number (VIN), and policy expiration date. Indicate whether each vehicle is owned or leased.
The form must be completed by the insurance carrier (not the school) and attached to Schedule II — Driver Training School Motor Vehicle Fleet (and any Schedule II(a) supplements for additions).
Vehicles must also pass an Illinois Department of Transportation safety inspection and maintain valid registration.
Where to Submit Form DSD CDTS 10?
Submit the completed form (along with other required licensing documents) to:
Illinois Secretary of State
Commercial Driver Training School Section
1800 W. Hawthorne Lane
West Chicago, IL 60185
Phone: 630-520-9310
Applications for school licenses must be submitted at least 15 days before the current license expires. Upon receipt, the Commercial Driver Training Section will contact the applicant to schedule inspections.
Make checks for application fees payable to the Illinois Secretary of State.
Official Download Link for Form DSD CDTS 10
Download the official, current version of the form directly from the Illinois Secretary of State:
Download Illinois Form DSD CDTS 10 — Insurance Certificate (PDF)
Always download forms from the official .gov website to ensure you have the most recent version. The form is fillable in most PDF readers; download it to your computer before completing.
Related forms available on the same official page include the Safety Inspection — Driver Training School Motor Vehicle Fleet (DSD CDTS 27), Surety Bond Form (DSD CDTS 84), and school license applications.
Additional Requirements for Commercial Driver Training Schools
In addition to insurance certification, schools must meet other standards:
- Commercially zoned location with minimum office and classroom space
- Valid surety bond (amount depends on accreditation type and number of branches)
- Licensed instructors
- Proper vehicle registration, safety inspection, and insurance decals
- Compliance with administrative rules under Title 92 of the Illinois Administrative Code
Full details and the complete list of required forms are available on the Illinois Secretary of State Commercial Driver Training Schools page.
Why Proper Insurance Certification Matters?
Filing an accurate and complete Form DSD CDTS 10 protects students, instructors, the school, and the public. Failure to maintain the required insurance or to provide the 10-day cancellation notice can result in license suspension or revocation. Keeping vehicles properly insured and documented is a core condition of operating a commercial driver training school in Illinois.
For the most current information, always refer to the official Illinois Secretary of State website or contact the Commercial Driver Training School Section directly. Requirements are subject to change through legislation or administrative rule updates.