Illinois Form DSD CDTS 121 CDL Third-Party License

Illinois Form DSD CDTS 121 CDL Third-Party License – The Illinois Secretary of State offers a Third-Party Certification Program that allows qualified private companies, municipalities, fire departments, and governmental agencies to administer Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) skills and road tests. The key document for entering this program is Form DSD CDTS 121, the official Application for CDL Third-Party Certification Entity License.

This form is required for organizations that want to test their own employees or members for CDL Classes A, B, C, and related endorsements without sending them to a state facility for the skills test. Understanding the form, eligibility rules, and supporting documents helps U.S. businesses and public agencies in Illinois streamline CDL certification for their workforce.

What Is Form DSD CDTS 121?

Form DSD CDTS 121 is the primary application used to obtain a main facility license under the Illinois Secretary of State’s Third-Party Certification Program. Once approved, the licensed entity may conduct CDL skills tests (pre-trip inspection, basic control skills, and road test) for its own employees or members who need a CDL for daily job duties.

The form collects basic entity information, the CDL classifications the organization intends to certify, and confirmation that required supporting documents (drive-test route, agreement, and surety bond) have been submitted. It is a fillable PDF available directly from the official Illinois Secretary of State website.

Download Form DSD CDTS 121 (Official PDF)

Who Can Apply for a CDL Third-Party Certification Entity License?

Eligible applicants include:

  • Private companies whose employees require CDLs for work
  • Municipalities and local government agencies
  • Fire departments
  • Other governmental entities

The program is limited to testing the entity’s own employees or members. Third-party certifying entities may not offer testing to the general public or accept payment from individuals in exchange for testing. Entities headquartered in contiguous states (Indiana, Missouri, Wisconsin, Iowa, or Kentucky) may participate if they meet specific agent and licensing requirements.

Key Requirements for the Main Facility License

According to the Illinois Secretary of State and Illinois Administrative Code Title 92, Section 1030.60, applicants must meet the following core requirements:

  • Complete and submit Form DSD CDTS 121
  • Submit the Agreement Between the Illinois Secretary of State and Driver’s License Third-Party Certification Entity (Form DSD CDTS 77)
  • Provide narrative descriptions and physical layouts of the official road-test route that meet federal CDL road-test criteria
  • Apply for at least one Safety Officer License (Form DSD CDTS 122 for CDL)
  • Submit a Surety Bond (Form DSD CDTS 119), unless the applicant is a government entity
  • Maintain a regularly established place of business in Illinois (or qualifying contiguous state) with adequate space for basic control skills testing
  • Have access to properly registered vehicles of the representative classification being tested

Space requirements for basic control skills testing include specific dimensions for Class A, B, and C vehicles. All facilities must comply with public health and safety standards.

How to Complete Form DSD CDTS 121?

The form is straightforward and requires the following information:

  1. Name of CDL Third-Party Certification Entity – Full legal name of the organization
  2. Street Address, City, State, ZIP Code – Physical location of the main facility
  3. Phone Number, Email Address, and Business Hours
  4. CDL Classifications – Indicate Class A, Class B, Class C, Passenger Endorsement, and/or School Bus as applicable
  5. Confirmation Questions:
    • Have you submitted a prescribed drive-test course (route) for approval?
    • Have you submitted the Agreement form?
    • Have you submitted a bond (and the amount)? Government entities are exempt from the bond requirement.
  6. Signatures and Dates – Authorized representatives must sign under penalty of perjury

False statements on the application constitute a criminal offense and will result in denial of the license.

Important note printed on the form: This application covers only the main facility. Organizations planning to test at additional locations must submit a separate Branch Application (Form DSD CDTS 91) and a prescribed drive-test route for each site.

Supporting Documents and Related Forms

In addition to Form DSD CDTS 121, applicants typically need:

For branch locations, use Form DSD CDTS 91 and the Branch Agreement (DSD CDTS 90).

Where to Submit the Application?

Mail completed documents to:

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

After the documents are received, the Commercial Driver Training Section will contact the applicant to schedule required training. For questions, call 630-520-9310.

Official program details and forms are available on the Illinois Secretary of State website:

Federal and State Regulatory Background

The Illinois program operates under authority granted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and is codified in Illinois Administrative Code Title 92, Section 1030.60. It aligns with 49 CFR Parts 383 and 384, which govern third-party testing of commercial drivers.

Licensed entities may only certify their own employees or members. They must maintain detailed records for four years, allow unannounced audits by the Secretary of State and FMCSA, and ensure safety officers do not test individuals they personally trained.

Benefits of Becoming a Licensed Third-Party Certification Entity

Organizations that obtain the license gain several operational advantages:

  • Faster CDL skills testing for employees without scheduling state facility appointments
  • Greater control over testing schedules aligned with business needs
  • Ability to maintain a ready workforce of qualified CDL drivers
  • Compliance with federal and state requirements when structured correctly

This is especially valuable for trucking companies, municipalities with large vehicle fleets, fire departments, and other entities that regularly need new or upgraded CDL holders.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting the form without the required Agreement, bond (if applicable), or approved road-test route
  • Attempting to test non-employees or accepting compensation for testing
  • Failing to apply for a separate branch license for additional testing sites
  • Neglecting to keep required training and testing records for the mandated four-year period
  • Using a safety officer who trained the applicant being tested

Next Steps After Approval

Once the Secretary of State issues the Third-Party Certification Entity License and at least one Safety Officer License, the organization may begin administering CDL skills tests under the program rules. Ongoing compliance includes biennial inspections, record retention, and prompt notification if a safety officer leaves employment.

Stay current by regularly checking the official Illinois Secretary of State Commercial Driver Training pages for any updates to forms or administrative rules.

Conclusion

Form DSD CDTS 121 is the essential first step for any Illinois organization seeking authority to conduct CDL skills testing for its own workforce. By carefully completing the application, assembling the required supporting documents, and following the Third-Party Certification Program rules, businesses and public agencies can achieve greater efficiency while remaining fully compliant with state and federal CDL testing standards.

Download the official form today and contact the Commercial Driver Training Section with any questions before submitting your application.

Download Illinois Form DSD CDTS 121 — Application for CDL Third-Party Certification Entity License

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