Illinois SOS Form DSD CDTS 55 Driver Ed Waiver – The Illinois Secretary of State Form DSD CDTS 55, officially titled the Driver Education Waiver Form, is an essential document for many Illinois teens seeking driver education through a licensed commercial driver training school. Issued by the Commercial Driver Training School Section, this form documents that the academic eligibility requirements under Section 6-408.5 of the Illinois Vehicle Code have been waived by a school superintendent or chief administrator.
Whether you are a parent of a public, private, or homeschooled student, understanding Form DSD CDTS 55 helps ensure your teen can complete state-approved driver education and move forward toward an Illinois instruction permit or graduated driver’s license.
What Is Illinois Form DSD CDTS 55?
Form DSD CDTS 55 is the official Driver Education Waiver Form published by the Illinois Secretary of State. The current version (DSD CDTS 55.2, January 2024) is issued under Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias and is used exclusively in connection with licensed commercial driver training schools.
The form confirms that the Chief School Administrator or Superintendent of the student’s junior high or high school has waived the requirements set forth in 625 ILCS 5/6-408.5 of the Illinois Vehicle Code.
You can download the official fillable PDF directly from the Illinois Secretary of State website:
Download Illinois Form DSD CDTS 55 (PDF)
Legal Basis: Section 6-408.5 of the Illinois Vehicle Code
Under 625 ILCS 5/6-408.5, no commercial driver training school or instructor may request a certificate of completion from the Secretary of State for a student who is currently enrolled in a public or non-public secondary school (or was enrolled in the previous semester) unless that student has received a passing grade in at least eight courses during the two semesters immediately preceding the request.
The same statute allows the local superintendent of schools (for public school students) or the chief school administrator (for non-public school students) to waive this eight-course requirement when it is deemed to be in the best interest of the student. Form DSD CDTS 55 is the official document used to record that waiver.
A parallel academic eligibility rule and waiver authority appear in the Illinois School Code for enrollment in public-school driver education courses (105 ILCS 5/27-815, formerly 27-24.2).
Who Needs the Driver Education Waiver Form?
Form DSD CDTS 55 is typically required in these situations:
- Teens under age 18 enrolling in a Secretary of State-licensed commercial (private) driver training school who do not meet the eight-course academic requirement.
- Homeschooled students or private-school students whose chief school administrator grants a waiver.
- Students for whom the school superintendent determines that waiving the academic requirement serves the student’s best interest.
If the student does meet the eight-course requirement, the related form DSD CDTS 54 (Driver Education Approval Form) is used instead. That form certifies the student has received passing grades in at least eight courses and is therefore eligible for private driving instruction.
How to Complete Form DSD CDTS 55?
The form is divided into two clear sections:
Portion Completed by the Driver Training School
- Name and address of the commercial driver training school
- Student’s full legal name (Last, First, Middle)
- Student’s street address, city or town, and ZIP code
- Signature of the student
- Signature of the parent or legal guardian
- Date
Portion Completed by Junior High or High School Administration
- Name of the junior high or high school
- School address, city or town, ZIP code, and phone number
- Signature of the Chief School Administrator or Superintendent of High School
- Date
- Confirmation that the requirements of Section 6-408.5 of the Illinois Vehicle Code have been waived (Yes/No checkbox)
It is recommended that the school administration retain a copy of the completed form for its records.
How to Obtain and Submit the Form?
- Download the official PDF from the Illinois Secretary of State: https://www.ilsos.gov/content/dam/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_cdts55.pdf.
- The commercial driver training school usually initiates the form and completes its section.
- The student’s school administrator must complete and sign the waiver portion.
- The completed form is retained by the driver training school as part of the student’s file and may be required when the school later requests a certificate of completion from the Secretary of State.
Official forms and publications related to commercial driver training schools are listed on the Illinois Secretary of State website: Commercial Drivers Publications and Forms.
Tips for Homeschool and Non-Public School Families
Illinois law specifically opens both the classroom and behind-the-wheel portions of public-school driver education courses to students attending non-public schools in the district. For commercial schools, the same academic eligibility or waiver rules apply.
Homeschool parents should contact the local high school or regional superintendent early. Provide documentation of the student’s academic progress and request the waiver in writing if the eight-course standard cannot be met through traditional transcripts. Many districts will work with families once the legal requirements are clearly referenced.
A related form useful for homeschooled students is the Home Schooled Parental Consent Form (DSD CDTS 56), available from the same Illinois Secretary of State publications page.
Related Illinois Driver Education Requirements
Successful completion of an approved driver education course is a key step in Illinois’ Graduated Driver Licensing program. Teens must generally:
- Be at least 15 years old to begin an approved driver education course
- Hold an instruction permit for a minimum of nine months
- Complete at least 50 hours of supervised practice driving (including 10 hours at night)
- Pass the required vision, written, and road tests
For the most current rules, consult the official Illinois Graduated Driver’s License page and the latest edition of the Illinois Rules of the Road.
Official Contact Information
Questions about Form DSD CDTS 55 or commercial driver training school requirements may be directed to:
Illinois Secretary of State
Commercial Driver Training Section
1800 W. Hawthorne Lane
West Chicago, IL 60185
Website: ilsos.gov
Conclusion
Illinois Secretary of State Form DSD CDTS 55 — the Driver Education Waiver Form — provides a clear, official pathway for eligible students to enroll in commercial driver education when the standard eight-course academic requirement is waived. By using the current official form, obtaining the proper school administrator signature, and working with a licensed commercial driver training school, Illinois families can help their teens complete this important step toward safe, legal driving.
Always download the form directly from the Illinois Secretary of State website to ensure you are using the most current version. For the latest information on driver education, teen licensing, and commercial training schools, visit ilsos.gov.