DS-3.1 Form – New York motor carriers operating buses must comply with Article 19-A of the Vehicle and Traffic Law. The DS-3.1 Form delivers the official step-by-step instructions for completing the Article 19-A Annual Affidavit of Compliance (Form DS-3) and the required Annual Statistical Report (Form DS-3.3).
Filing this affidavit on time proves your carrier meets all driver qualification, medical exam, record review, and safety standards. Missing the deadline can lead to suspension of vehicle registrations and steep civil penalties. This SEO-optimized guide uses the latest official New York DMV sources (revised March 2025) to walk you through everything.
Download the official DS-3.1 PDF instructions here: https://dmv.ny.gov/forms/ds31.pdf
What Is Article 19-A and Why Does It Require an Annual Affidavit?
Article 19-A sets strict qualification standards for bus drivers in New York State to improve highway safety. It applies to motor carriers operating buses, including school buses and certain passenger vehicles.
Every year, motor carriers must submit an affidavit of compliance (Form DS-3) attesting that:
- All drivers meet medical, licensing, training, and background check requirements.
- Annual driving record reviews and personal interviews were completed.
- Records are current and accurate.
The affidavit must attach the Article 19-A Motor Carrier Annual Statistical Report (DS-3.3), which reports bus miles traveled, driver convictions, and accidents from the previous calendar year.
Who Must File the DS-3.1 / Article 19-A Annual Affidavit?
All Article 19-A motor carriers must file, including:
- Carriers transporting school children or passengers under age 21.
- Operators of altered motor vehicles (“stretch limousines”).
- Most USDOT-regulated carriers (with limited exemptions for low-mileage or non-school operations).
Exempt carriers still file a simplified affidavit certifying no disqualified drivers and reporting days/miles operated in New York.
Deadline: No later than July 1 each year. The Bus Driver Unit (BDU) mails or emails the roster and forms around April.
Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Complete the DS-3.1 Form and Affidavit?
Follow these official DS-3.1 instructions (Form revision 3/25) exactly:
- Review Your Roster of Active Drivers
The BDU sends a current roster. Verify every driver’s name, license information, and details. Correct errors directly on the roster. Return it with or without changes. - Handle Drivers No Longer Employed
For any driver listed who has left, complete Form DS-885 (Article 19-A Bus Driver Add/Drop Notice) and attach it. - Add New, Rehired, or Reinstated Drivers
If a driver is missing from the roster:- New drivers → Complete Form DS-870 (Article 19-A Bus Driver Application).
- Rehired/reinstated → Use Form DS-885.
School bus drivers require electronic fingerprinting before submission.
- Complete the Annual Statistical Report (DS-3.3)
This form appears on the back of DS-3. Report:- Total bus miles traveled in the previous year.
- Number of convictions and accidents involving your drivers.
- Convictions/accidents per 10,000 miles.
Incomplete or missing DS-3.3 = affidavit rejected.
- Altered Motor Vehicle Carriers (Stretch Limousines)
Complete the additional webform at dmv.ny.gov/19-altered-motor-vehicles plus the standard DS-3/DS-3.3. - Sign and Date
The carrier representative must sign and date the DS-3 affidavit.
How to File the Article 19-A Annual Affidavit?
Preferred method: Become an electronic carrier for real-time roster access, online add/drop, and instant filing. Email [email protected] to enroll.
Paper/fax/email filing:
Send the completed DS-3, DS-3.3, updated roster, and any DS-870/DS-885 forms to the Bus Driver Unit via:
- Fax, email, or regular mail (contact details on DS-3.1 form).
You will receive an acknowledgment once the BDU accepts the filing. Corrections trigger a letter with required fixes—respond promptly.
Penalties for Late or Incomplete Filing
Failure to file an acceptable affidavit and statistical report by July 1 can result in:
- Suspension of all vehicle registrations and operating privileges in New York State.
- Civil penalties of $500 to $2,500 per violation (up to $5,000 for repeat offenders).
Incomplete driver records may also trigger an administrative hearing.
Tips to Avoid Common Mistakes
- Never leave the statistical report blank.
- Update out-of-state license changes promptly.
- Keep driver files (medical exams, abstracts, annual reviews on DS-872/DS-873) for at least three years plus the current year.
- File early—your filing date is when the BDU accepts it, not when you mail it.
Additional Article 19-A Resources and Forms
- Full Article 19-A Information Packet: dmv.ny.gov/forms/ds700.pdf
- All 19-A Forms: dmv.ny.gov/forms-and-publications (filter by Article 19-A)
- Carrier Information Page: dmv.ny.gov/business/driver-training/article-19-a-information
Contact the Bus Driver Unit:
Phone: (518) 473-9455
Email: [email protected]
Stay Compliant and Safe on New York Roads
Filing your DS-3.1-guided Article 19-A Annual Affidavit on time protects your fleet, your drivers, and the traveling public. Use the official instructions, consider switching to electronic filing, and maintain thorough records year-round.
Bookmark this guide and the DS-3.1 PDF for quick reference every spring. Safe driving starts with full compliance!
Last updated for 2026 filing season based on official NY DMV documents (DS-3.1 revised 3/25).