Illinois Form DSD CDTS 124: CDL 14-Day Training – Form DSD CDTS 124 is an official document issued by the Illinois Secretary of State’s Driver Services Department, Commercial Driver Training Section. Officially titled “CDL Third Party Certification Program – Two Week/14-Day Practical Training Course for CDL Applicants,” this form serves as a structured training log for individuals preparing to take the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) skills test through a certified third-party entity.
The form records hands-on practical instruction covering pre-trip inspections, basic control skills, and on-road driving maneuvers. It ensures that CDL applicants without a prior valid CDL receive consistent, documented training over a minimum of 14 calendar days before skills testing can occur. This requirement aligns with Illinois administrative rules designed to promote highway safety and compliance with federal Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act standards.
You can download the official fillable PDF form directly from the Illinois Secretary of State website: Download Form DSD CDTS 124 (PDF).
Who Needs to Complete Form DSD CDTS 124?
This form is primarily required within the Illinois CDL Third-Party Certification Program. Third-party entities—such as private companies, municipalities, fire departments, or governmental agencies—licensed by the Secretary of State may administer CDL skills and road tests for their employees or members.
According to Illinois Administrative Code (92 Ill. Adm. Code 1030.60), any employee or member who does not currently hold (or has never held) a valid CDL must complete practical training on CDL skills tests. This training must be delivered in equally scheduled intervals over a period of at least 14 days. Form DSD CDTS 124 documents that training.
The form is not typically used by the general public seeking a CDL through standard Secretary of State facilities or Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) providers. Instead, it supports internal training programs run by approved third-party certifiers. For standard CDL applicants, the federal ELDT requirements (theory and behind-the-wheel) and the mandatory 14-day Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) holding period still apply.
Key Sections of Form DSD CDTS 124
The June 2017 version of the form (still current as of the latest official publication) is a single-page training log. It requires the following information:
- Date and printed name of the applicant
- Pre-Trip Training – Dates of training and name of trainer for:
- Wheels
- Air Brakes (if applicable)
- Other Brakes
- Controls
- Lights
- Bus (if applicable)
- Basic Control Skills – Dates and trainer for:
- Straight Backing
- Offset Backing
- Parallel Park
- Drive Test – Dates and trainer for:
- Turns
- Intersections
- Urban/Rural Straight
- Lane Changes
- Expressway
- Stop/Start
- Curves
- Upgrade
- Downgrade
- Railroad Crossing
- Bridge/Overpass
- Signals
At the bottom, the form requires signatures from the applicant and the trainer(s). Items marked with an asterisk (*) are completed only if applicable to the vehicle class or endorsements sought.
How the 14-Day Practical Training Requirement Works?
Illinois law (625 ILCS 5/6-508) and corresponding administrative rules mandate that no original or upgraded CDL requiring a skills test may be issued unless the applicant has held a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) for a minimum of 14 calendar days. Within the Third-Party Certification Program, an additional layer of practical training is required for those without prior CDL experience.
Training must occur in equally scheduled intervals across at least 14 days. This structured approach helps ensure applicants gain progressive experience in vehicle inspection, basic maneuvering, and real-world driving conditions before taking the official skills test administered by a licensed Safety Officer.
Note that a Safety Officer who provided skills training to an individual is prohibited from administering that same individual’s skills test, maintaining separation of training and testing roles for integrity.
How to Obtain and Complete Form DSD CDTS 124?
The form is freely available as a fillable PDF from the official Illinois Secretary of State website. Follow these steps:
- Visit the Commercial Drivers Publications and Forms page on ilsos.gov.
- Locate “Two Week/14-Day Practical Training Course For CDL Applicants” under the Third Party section (Form Number DSD CDTS 124).
- Download the PDF: https://www.ilsos.gov/content/dam/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_cdts124.pdf.
- Open the file in Adobe Acrobat Reader for best fillable-field performance.
- Complete all applicable sections with accurate training dates and trainer names.
- Obtain the required signatures.
Third-party entities must retain completed forms as part of their required records. These records may be subject to audit by the Illinois Secretary of State Commercial Driver Training Section.
Related Illinois CDL Requirements for U.S. Applicants
While Form DSD CDTS 124 is specific to third-party programs, all Illinois CDL applicants (whether testing at a Secretary of State facility or through a third-party entity) must meet these core requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old for intrastate operation or 21 for interstate commerce or passenger transport.
- Hold a valid Illinois driver’s license and obtain a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) by passing the required knowledge tests.
- Hold the CLP for a minimum of 14 days before skills testing.
- Complete federal Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) from an FMCSA-registered provider if applying for a first-time Class A or B CDL, or for Passenger (P), School Bus (S), or Hazardous Materials (H) endorsements.
- Provide proof of legal presence, Social Security number, and medical self-certification.
- Pass the three-part skills test (pre-trip inspection, basic control skills, and road test) in a representative vehicle.
Official resources for current requirements include the Illinois CDL page and the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) page.
Where to Get Additional Help?
For questions about Form DSD CDTS 124 or the Third-Party Certification Program, contact the Illinois Secretary of State Commercial Driver Training Section:
- Mailing address for applications and correspondence: Illinois Secretary of State, Commercial Driver Training Section, 1800 W Hawthorne Ln., West Chicago, IL 60185.
- CDL skills test scheduling: Call 217-785-3013 (option 5), Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or use the online IL-FAST-PASS system.
Always verify the most current version of forms and rules directly on the official Illinois Secretary of State website (ilsos.gov), as requirements can be updated through administrative rule changes.
By properly documenting the two-week/14-day practical training course with Form DSD CDTS 124, third-party entities and their applicants help maintain the high safety standards expected of commercial drivers operating on Illinois and U.S. roadways.