Illinois Form VSD 928 School Bus Insurance Affirmation – School bus operators, owners, and transportation providers in Illinois must meet strict liability insurance standards under state law. Form VSD 928, issued by the Office of the Illinois Secretary of State, is the official attestation document used to confirm compliance with those requirements when registering or renewing school bus plates. This guide explains the form, who must use it, the insurance minimums, how to complete it, and where to download the current version.
What Is Illinois Form VSD 928?
Form VSD 928 is the School Bus Insurance Affirmation created by the Illinois Secretary of State Vehicle Services Department. The certificate of title holder (or an authorized signer) uses the form to affirm that one or more vehicles designated as school buses under Illinois Vehicle Code Section 1-182 (625 ILCS 5/1-182) carry the minimum liability insurance required by Section 12-707.01 (625 ILCS 5/12-707.01).
The current version of the form (VSD 928.1, August 2023) is a short one-page affirmation signed under penalties of perjury. It is typically submitted with the school bus registration or renewal application.
Who Needs to File Form VSD 928?
The form is required for owners of vehicles that:
- Are designated as school buses under Illinois law, or
- Are used for a purpose that requires a school bus driver permit under Section 6-104 of the Illinois Vehicle Code.
This includes public and private school districts, contracted transportation companies, and operators of vehicles used solely in connection with private day care facilities, day camps, summer camps, or nursery schools. The attestation must be provided with each registration application. Self-insured entities and those participating in intergovernmental cooperatives must also complete the form, affirming equivalent or greater coverage.
Minimum Liability Insurance Requirements for School Buses in Illinois
Under 625 ILCS 5/12-707.01, liability insurance policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2013, must meet the following minimums:
- Standard school bus use (vehicles requiring a school bus driver permit under Section 6-104): $2,000,000 combined single limit. This may be satisfied by either (1) a $2,000,000 combined single limit primary commercial automobile policy, or (2) a $1,000,000 primary commercial automobile policy plus a minimum $5,000,000 excess or umbrella liability policy.
- Private day care, day camps, summer camps, or nursery schools: $1,000,000 combined single limit per crash.
- Intergovernmental cooperative or self-insured vehicles: Coverage equivalent to or greater than the $2,000,000 standard requirement.
These amounts are significantly higher than ordinary private passenger liability limits and reflect the heightened responsibility associated with transporting students.
How to Complete Form VSD 928?
The form is straightforward. Complete the following sections accurately:
- Print the name of the certificate of title holder or the individual with signing authority, and the name of the entity if applicable.
- List the Vehicle Identification Number(s) (VIN) of the school bus(es).
- Check the appropriate box corresponding to the type of liability insurance carried, based on the vehicle’s purpose (standard $2 million options, self-insured/intergovernmental equivalent, or the $1 million private day-care/camp option).
- Sign and date the affirmation under penalties of perjury. The signer assumes liability and costs for any litigation that may arise from the affirmation.
Submit the completed form with the school bus registration application or renewal. In some cases a Certificate of Liability Insurance may be accepted in place of or in addition to the affirmation (see related Form VSD 890 guidance).
Validity Period and Ongoing Compliance
The affirmation remains valid for the full two-year registration period. However, if the Secretary of State has reason to believe a vehicle is uninsured or underinsured, the office may require a certificate of insurance (or equivalent) within two calendar days. Failure to produce the requested proof can result in revocation of the vehicle’s registration until compliance is demonstrated.
Operators should maintain continuous coverage and notify the Secretary of State of any material changes in insurance status.
How to Download Form VSD 928?
The official, current PDF of Illinois Secretary of State Form VSD 928 — School Bus Insurance Affirmation is available directly from the Illinois Secretary of State:
Always download the form from the official .gov domain to ensure you have the latest version. Forms should be opened in Adobe Acrobat Reader for best results with fillable fields when available.
Related Illinois School Bus Forms and Resources
Other frequently used school-bus-related documents include:
- Form VSD 890 — School Bus Registration (includes proof-of-insurance instructions)
- RT OPR 3 — School Bus Affirmation (for issuance of school bus plates under certain contracts)
For general vehicle services, registration questions, or facility locations, visit the official Illinois Secretary of State website at ilsos.gov or contact the Vehicle Services Department.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Form VSD 928 the same as a Certificate of Liability Insurance?
No. The affirmation is a self-attestation by the owner. A separate Certificate of Liability Insurance from the insurer may also be required or accepted in certain registration scenarios.
Does the form cover multi-function school activity buses (MFSABs)?
Vehicles used for purposes requiring a school bus driver permit fall under the same insurance and attestation rules. Confirm the specific classification of your vehicle with the Secretary of State.
What happens if insurance lapses during the registration period?
The Secretary of State may demand proof of insurance on short notice. Non-compliance can lead to registration revocation.
Where can I verify the current statutory language?
The full text of 625 ILCS 5/12-707.01 is available on the Illinois General Assembly website: 625 ILCS 5/12-707.01.
Maintaining proper school bus insurance and filing Form VSD 928 correctly helps protect students, operators, and the public while ensuring uninterrupted vehicle registration in Illinois. Always rely on the official Illinois Secretary of State forms and current statutes for compliance.