Illinois DSD CDTS 104 Enhanced Skills Insurance Form – Operating an Enhanced Skills Driving School (ESDS) in Illinois requires strict compliance with state licensing and insurance rules. One of the most important documents is Form DSD CDTS 104, the official Enhanced Skills Driving School Insurance Certificate issued by the Illinois Secretary of State (ILSOS) Driver Services Department.
This form serves as proof that your school’s training vehicles meet the high liability insurance standards required under Illinois law. Without a properly completed and filed DSD CDTS 104, the Secretary of State will not issue or renew an Enhanced Skills Driving School license.
What Is Form DSD CDTS 104?
Form DSD CDTS 104 is the official insurance certificate that an authorized insurance carrier must complete and sign. It certifies that the motor vehicles used for enhanced skills instruction are covered by the required bodily injury and property damage liability insurance.
According to the form itself (September 2021 edition), it must be completed and attached to Schedule II — Safety Inspection, Enhanced Skills Driving School Motor Vehicle Fleet and all supplements.
You can download the official fillable PDF directly from the Illinois Secretary of State website:
Download Illinois Form DSD CDTS 104 (PDF)
Who Needs Form DSD CDTS 104?
Any individual, partnership, corporation, or limited liability company seeking to open or renew a license for an Enhanced Skills Driving School in Illinois must submit this form. Enhanced Skills Driving Schools teach advanced techniques such as emergency braking, crash avoidance, and defensive driving to already-licensed drivers for a fee. These schools are regulated separately from regular commercial driver training schools under Article X of Chapter 6 of the Illinois Vehicle Code.
Insurance Coverage Requirements
Illinois law sets significantly higher minimum insurance limits for Enhanced Skills Driving Schools than for standard commercial driver training schools. Under 625 ILCS 5/6-1002, the policy must provide at least:
- $500,000 for bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident
- $1,000,000 for bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in any one accident (subject to the one-person limit)
- $100,000 for damage to property of others in any one accident
The insurance must cover the liability of the driving school, its instructors, and any person taking instruction while the vehicles are used for driving instruction.
The policy also cannot be cancelled, revoked, terminated, or otherwise cease to be effective until the insurance carrier gives 10 days’ prior written notice to the Secretary of State Commercial Driver Training School Section.
What Information Appears on Form DSD CDTS 104?
The form requires the following key information:
- Policyholder’s name and full address
- Insurance carrier or company’s name, telephone number, and address
- List of insured vehicles (year, make, serial/VIN number, whether owned or leased, policy number, and expiration date)
- Certification date
- Signature of an authorized agent of the insurance company
- Notarization
The insurance company must certify that it is solvent, authorized to do business in Illinois, and that the listed vehicles are covered under the required limits.
How to Complete and Submit Form DSD CDTS 104?
Follow these steps for proper submission:
- Download the official form from the Illinois Secretary of State website using the link above.
- Have your insurance carrier complete and sign the form. An authorized agent must swear or affirm the statements under penalty of perjury, and a notary must complete the acknowledgment section.
- Attach the completed Form DSD CDTS 104 to Schedule II (Safety Inspection of the Enhanced Skills Driving School Motor Vehicle Fleet) and any supplements listing vehicle additions or deletions.
- Submit the form along with your main license application (DSD CDTS 98), other required schedules, and the applicable fees to:
Illinois Secretary of State
Commercial Driver Training School Section
1800 W. Hawthorne Ln.
West Chicago, IL 60185
Phone: 630-520-9310
Applications must be submitted at least 15 days before the expiration of an existing license. The Commercial Driver Training Section will contact applicants to schedule property and vehicle inspections after receiving a complete package.
Related Forms and Requirements
Form DSD CDTS 104 is only one part of the licensing process. Schools typically also need:
- DSD CDTS 98 – Enhanced Skills Driving School Application for Main License
- DSD CDTS 99 – Schedule II Safety Inspection
- DSD CDTS 102 – Schedule I Personal History
- DSD CDTS 103 – Application for Enhanced Skills Driving Instructor License
- Other supporting documents listed on the official Enhanced Skills Driver Training Schools page
Application fees for a two-year license are currently $500 for the school and $70 per instructor.
Why Proper Insurance Certification Matters?
The higher insurance limits reflect the nature of enhanced skills training, which often involves higher-risk maneuvers. The Illinois Secretary of State will not issue an insurance certificate sticker for training vehicles until both a properly completed Form DSD CDTS 104 and the vehicle fleet schedule are on file. Vehicles used for instruction must display the sticker on the lower right portion of the front windshield.
Failure to maintain the required coverage or to provide timely notice of cancellation can result in denial, suspension, or revocation of the school’s license under Illinois Vehicle Code and administrative rules (Title 92, Part 1065).
Stay Compliant with Current Illinois Requirements
Regulations and forms can be updated. Always download the most recent version of Form DSD CDTS 104 and related documents directly from the official Illinois Secretary of State website rather than third-party sites. For the latest information on Enhanced Skills Driving Schools, visit the official page or contact the Commercial Driver Training School Section at 630-520-9310.
By properly completing and filing Form DSD CDTS 104, Illinois Enhanced Skills Driving Schools demonstrate that they meet the state’s high standards for safety and financial responsibility — protecting students, instructors, the public, and the school itself.
Official Download: Illinois Secretary of State Form DSD CDTS 104 – Enhanced Skills Driving School Insurance Certificate (PDF)