Illinois Form DSD CDTS 98 Enhanced Skills Guide

Illinois Form DSD CDTS 98 Enhanced Skills Guide – If you plan to open or renew an Enhanced Skills Driving School in Illinois, the official form you need is DSD CDTS 98, titled “Enhanced Skills Driving School Application for Main License.” This application is issued by the Illinois Secretary of State (SOS) Driver Services Department, Commercial Driver Training School Section. It is required for any person, partnership, corporation, LLC, or association seeking a two-year main license to operate a school that teaches advanced driving techniques to already-licensed drivers.

This guide explains what the form is, who must file it, the legal requirements, required supporting documents, fees, and the exact steps to submit a complete application. All information is drawn from official Illinois Secretary of State and Illinois General Assembly sources current as of 2026.

What Is an Enhanced Skills Driving School?

Under Illinois law (625 ILCS 5/6-1001), an Enhanced Skills Driving School (ESDS) is a business that teaches advanced driving skills—such as emergency braking, crash avoidance, and defensive driving techniques—to drivers who already hold a valid driver’s license, in exchange for a fee. These schools are distinct from regular commercial driver training schools that prepare students for Secretary of State examinations.

Important restrictions include:

All behind-the-wheel instruction, practice, and experience must occur on private property (for example, race-course facilities). No public-roadway instruction is allowed.
The school’s curriculum must be reviewed and approved by the Secretary of State.
An ESDS may not prepare students for SOS driving examinations unless it also holds a separate commercial driver training school license.

Source: Illinois Secretary of State – Enhanced Skills Driver Training Schools and 625 ILCS 5/6-1001.

Who Must File Form DSD CDTS 98?

Any individual or business entity that wants to operate the main (primary) location of an Enhanced Skills Driving School in Illinois must complete and submit Form DSD CDTS 98. Branch offices use a separate form (DSD CDTS 100). The license is issued for two years, and schools are responsible for reapplying at least 15 days before the current license expires.

Applicants must meet the statutory qualifications in 625 ILCS 5/6-1002:

Be of good moral character.
Be at least 21 years of age.
Maintain the required liability insurance (see below).
Have the equipment necessary to provide proper instruction.
Pay the statutory application fee.

Required Supporting Documents

Form DSD CDTS 98 cannot be submitted alone. The following documents must accompany the completed application:

Schedule I – Personal History of Enhanced Skills Driving School Owner or Manager (DSD CDTS 102) for every owner, partner, associate, corporate director, officer, and manager.
Schedule II – Safety Inspection Enhanced Skills Driving School Motor Vehicle Fleet (DSD CDTS 99), listing all vehicles that will be used for instruction.
Enhanced Skills Driving School Insurance Certificate (DSD CDTS 104).
Sample written student contract (if students are required to sign contracts).
Any other schedules or agreements listed on the official SOS Enhanced Skills page when applicable.

All forms are available on the official Illinois Secretary of State website.

Insurance Requirements

Illinois law requires specific minimum liability coverage on every motor vehicle used for enhanced skills instruction. The policy must cover the school, its instructors, and any person receiving instruction in at least these amounts:

$500,000 for bodily injury to or death of one person in any one crash;
$1,000,000 for bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in any one crash; and
$100,000 for damage to property of others in any one crash.

Evidence of coverage must be filed with the Secretary of State on the official insurance certificate form. The certificate must state that the policy cannot be canceled except upon 10 days’ prior written notice to the Secretary of State.

Source: 625 ILCS 5/6-1002.

Location and Facility Requirements

The main office must satisfy these minimum standards:

Be commercially zoned.
Contain at least 150 square feet of office space.
Have a working telephone listed under the school’s name.
Display signage showing office hours (minimum eight hours per week, Monday–Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.).
Be owned or leased exclusively by the Enhanced Skills Driving School (cannot be shared with another ESDS).

After the application is received, the Commercial Driver Training Section will schedule an inspection of the property and equipment.

Application Fee and Payment

The fee for a two-year main Enhanced Skills Driving School license is $500. (A separate $70 fee applies for each instructor license.) Make the check or money order payable to “Illinois Secretary of State.”

Do not send cash. The fee is non-refundable once processing begins.

How to Complete and Submit Form DSD CDTS 98?

Download the current official PDF from the Illinois Secretary of State.
Print or type all information clearly. Incomplete or illegible forms will delay processing.
Indicate the type of business entity (sole proprietor, partnership, corporation, association, or LLC).
List the full names, addresses, positions, and home telephone numbers of all owners, partners, associates, directors, officers, and managers.
Answer every yes/no question truthfully and provide explanations where required.
Have every owner, partner, associate, manager, and a majority of the corporate directors/officers sign the affirmation under penalty of perjury.
Attach all required schedules and the $500 fee.
Mail the complete package to:

Office of the Secretary of State
Commercial Driver Training School Section
1800 W. Hawthorne Ln.
West Chicago, IL 60185

Phone: 630-520-9310

Official Download Link

Download the official Form DSD CDTS 98 (Enhanced Skills Driving School Application for Main License) directly from the Illinois Secretary of State:

https://www.ilsos.gov/content/dam/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_cdts98.pdf

Always use the version posted on ilsos.gov to ensure you have the most current edition (currently September 2021 – DSD CDTS 98.2).

Additional Forms You May Need

Full list available on the official Enhanced Skills Driver Training Schools page.

Renewal and Ongoing Compliance

Licenses are valid for two years. Applications for renewal must be filed at least 15 days before expiration. Schools must notify the Secretary of State within 20 days of any material change in the application or schedules. Failure to maintain required insurance, facilities, or licensed instructors can result in suspension, revocation, or denial of the license.

Fingerprint-based background checks are required for owners and instructors. The Department investigates good moral character and may deny licenses based on criminal history.

Helpful Official Resources

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always consult the official Illinois Secretary of State website or contact the Commercial Driver Training School Section directly at 630-520-9310. Requirements and forms can change; using the current official versions protects your application from unnecessary delays.