Illinois DSD CDTS 77: CDL Third-Party Agreement Guide – Businesses, municipalities, fire departments, and other governmental agencies in Illinois that need to test their own employees or members for a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) must participate in the state’s Third-Party Certification Program. A required document in that process is Form DSD CDTS 77, the formal written agreement between the Illinois Secretary of State and the Third-Party Certification Entity.
This guide explains what Form DSD CDTS 77 is, who needs it, the key terms of the agreement, how to obtain and submit it, and the related requirements under Illinois law and federal FMCSA rules. Information is drawn from official Illinois Secretary of State publications and administrative rules.
What Is Form DSD CDTS 77?
Form DSD CDTS 77 is the official “Agreement Between the Illinois Secretary of State and a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Third-Party Certification Entity.” The current version (November 2023 — DSD CDTS 77.1) is a short legal agreement that authorizes a licensed third-party entity to administer CDL skills tests on behalf of the State of Illinois.
The form is published by the Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services Department, Commercial Driver Training Section. It is available as a fillable PDF on the official Secretary of State website.
Download the official form here:
Illinois Secretary of State Form DSD CDTS 77 (PDF)
Purpose of the Agreement
Under Illinois law and federal regulations (49 CFR Part 383), the Secretary of State may authorize qualified third-party testers to conduct CDL skills tests. Form DSD CDTS 77 is the required written agreement that formalizes this authorization.
The agreement makes clear that the named entity may administer commercial driver’s license skill tests only for its own employees or members and only in accordance with Illinois statutes, Illinois Administrative Code (particularly 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1030.60), and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules.
Who Needs to Complete Form DSD CDTS 77?
Any private company, municipality, fire department, or governmental agency that wants to become a licensed Third-Party Certification Entity in Illinois must execute this agreement. The program is designed for organizations that need to test employees or members who require a CDL (Classes A, B, C, or M) for daily job operations.
Commercial driver training schools that charge the public for training are generally not eligible for this specific third-party certification program; separate licensing rules apply to them.
Key Terms and Responsibilities in the Agreement
The form is structured as a mutual agreement. The main sections include:
I. The Third-Party Certification Entity Agrees To:
- Conform with all applicable statutes, Administrative Rules, and regulations of the State of Illinois and the FMCSA.
- Indemnify and hold harmless the Illinois Secretary of State from claims, losses, damages, costs, or proceedings arising from any act or omission of the entity or its employees in performing the agreement.
II. The Secretary of State Agrees To:
- Permit the named entity to administer CDL skill tests as specified by Illinois law and FMCSA regulations.
- Administer and enforce the applicable statutes, Administrative Rules, and regulations as part of the agreement.
III. Termination of This Agreement
The State reserves the right to take prompt and appropriate remedial action if the Third-Party Certification Entity fails to comply with the terms of the agreement. This can include suspension, cancellation, or revocation of the entity’s license under 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1030.60.
IV. Entire Agreement
The document constitutes the sole and entire agreement relating to the authority to administer CDL skill tests. It may be modified only by a subsequent written addendum signed by authorized representatives of both parties. A separate Branch Office Addendum (Form DSD CDTS 90) is used for additional locations.
Signature blocks are provided for both the Third-Party Certification Entity official and the Secretary of State official, including name, title, and date.
How to Obtain, Complete, and Submit Form DSD CDTS 77?
1. Download the current fillable PDF from the official Illinois Secretary of State publications page or the direct link above.
2. Fill in the effective date, the full legal name of the Third-Party Certification Entity, and its complete address.
3. Have an authorized official of the entity sign the agreement.
4. Submit the completed agreement together with the other required application documents (see next section) by mail to:
Illinois Secretary of State
Commercial Driver Training Section
1800 W Hawthorne Ln.
West Chicago, IL 60185
For questions or to schedule required training after documents are received, call the Commercial Driver Training Section at 630-520-9310.
Forms should be downloaded to your computer and opened with Adobe Acrobat Reader for best results when filling fillable fields.
Related Requirements and Supporting Forms
Form DSD CDTS 77 is only one piece of the licensing package. Main facility applicants typically must also submit:
- Application for CDL Third-Party Certification Entity License (DSD CDTS 121)
- Application for Non-CDL Third-Party Certification Entity License (if applicable) (DSD CDTS 120)
- Application for CDL Third-Party Certification Program Safety Officer License (DSD CDTS 122)
- Application for Non-CDL Third-Party Certification Program Safety Officer License (DSD CDTS 123)
- Surety Bond Form Third-Party Certification Entity (DSD CDTS 119) — generally a $10,000 continuous bond
- Two Week/14-Day Practical Training Course form (DSD CDTS 124)
- Narrative and physical layouts of the official road test route meeting federal CDL road test criteria
- Basic Control Skills diagrams, dimensions, and exercises
Branch locations require a separate Application for Third-Party Certification Program Branch License (DSD CDTS 91) and the Branch Office Addendum (DSD CDTS 90).
Full lists of current commercial driver publications and forms are maintained on the Illinois Secretary of State website under Commercial Drivers Publications and Forms.
Official program information and administrative rules are available on the Third-Party Certification Program page:
Illinois Secretary of State Third-Party Certification Program
The governing administrative rule is 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1030.60 (Third-Party Certification Program).
Compliance, Audits, and Ongoing Obligations
Once licensed, the entity and its safety officers must:
- Test only employees or members of the entity
- Maintain required records for at least four years
- Allow random inspections, audits, and co-scoring by the Secretary of State and FMCSA
- Transmit test results electronically within required time frames
- Notify the Department promptly of changes in safety officer employment
- Comply with entry-level driver training (ELDT) and other federal requirements where applicable
Failure to maintain compliance can result in suspension, cancellation, or revocation of the Third-Party Certification Entity license or individual Safety Officer licenses.
Why This Form Matters for U.S. Employers and Agencies?
For Illinois-based fleets, transit agencies, fire departments, and other organizations that regularly hire or promote CDL drivers, the Third-Party Certification Program offers a practical way to conduct skills testing in-house under state oversight. Form DSD CDTS 77 is the foundational legal document that enables that authority while protecting both the State and the public by requiring strict adherence to safety and testing standards.
Always use the most current version of the form and supporting applications published by the Illinois Secretary of State. Regulations and form versions can be updated, so verify information directly on ilsos.gov before submitting applications.
Official Download Link (again for convenience):
Download Form DSD CDTS 77 — Agreement Between the Illinois Secretary of State and a Commercial Driver’s License Third-Party Certification Entity (PDF)
For the most accurate and up-to-date requirements, contact the Illinois Secretary of State Commercial Driver Training Section at 630-520-9310 or consult the official program page and Administrative Code cited above.