DS-875X Form – The DS-875X form provides official instructions from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for certified examiners conducting the Article 19-A biennial oral or written examination required for bus drivers. This one-page document ensures consistent, compliant testing of drivers’ knowledge of road rules, defensive driving, and New York bus operation laws.
Bus carriers and certified examiners rely on the DS-875X to maintain compliance with Article 19-A of the New York Vehicle and Traffic Law and Part 6 of the Commissioner’s Regulations. The form pairs with DS-875Q (exam questions), DS-875Y (score sheet), and the answer key.
What Is the DS-875X Form?
The DS-875X is titled “Instructions to Certified Examiner for Conducting Article 19-A Biennial Oral/Written Examinations.” Revised in April 2017 (DS-875X (4/17)), it remains the current official guidance from the NY DMV.
It details how certified examiners administer the required biennial test that evaluates bus drivers’ knowledge. The exam draws from the New York State Driver’s Manual (MV-21), Commercial Driver’s Manual (CDL-10), and Part 6 of the Commissioner’s Regulations. Carriers must provide these materials to drivers before testing.
Understanding Article 19-A and Biennial Examinations for Bus Drivers
Article 19-A sets strict safety standards for drivers of buses, school buses, and other passenger vehicles for hire in New York. Drivers must complete several biennial requirements every 24 months, including:
- A behind-the-wheel road test (DS-875)
- An oral or written knowledge exam (DS-875Q)
- Defensive driving performance observation (DS-873)
The biennial oral/written exam covered by DS-875X tests rules of the road, defensive driving practices, and state-specific bus driving laws. Only DMV-certified examiners may administer it.
Who Needs to Use the DS-875X Examiner Instructions?
- Certified 19-A Examiners: Individuals certified by the NY DMV Bus Driver Unit (BDU) who conduct testing.
- Motor Carriers: Bus companies, school districts, and other operators required to maintain driver qualification files.
- Bus Drivers: All Article 19-A drivers (except certain exemptions) must pass the exam every two years.
Examiners must hold a valid CDL with appropriate endorsements, maintain a clean driving record, and complete refresher training every three years.
Step-by-Step Guide: How Certified Examiners Conduct the 19-A Oral/Written Exam Using DS-875X?
The DS-875X provides clear, mandatory steps:
- Allow sufficient time for the driver to complete the exam.
- Select 20 questions from form DS-875Q: 15 from Section A and 5 from Section B.
- Offer the test as written or oral and let the driver choose.
- Instruct the driver to print their name and the date on each page of DS-875Q and answer every selected question.
- Grade the exam using the official answer key and record results on the score sheet (DS-875Y).
- File all materials (used exam pages, score sheet, and results) in the driver’s 19-A qualification file.
The test is open-book, conducted in a monitored environment at the carrier’s place of business, and is not timed. For oral exams, the examiner may only read the questions and answer choices.
Passing Criteria and Scoring for the 19-A Biennial Test
To pass, the driver must correctly answer:
- At least 12 out of 15 questions in Section A
- At least 4 out of 5 questions in Section B
Each question is worth 5 points. A passing score confirms the driver’s continued qualification under Article 19-A.
What Happens If a Driver Fails the 19-A Exam?
Failure immediately disqualifies the driver from operating a bus to transport passengers under Article 19-A. The carrier must notify the Bus Driver Unit within 10 days.
The driver may request a re-examination. A second failure still requires notification within 10 days. The driver remains disqualified until they successfully pass a retest under Section 6.15 of the regulations.
Official Download: DS-875X PDF from NY DMV
Download the free, official DS-875X form directly from the New York DMV website:
https://dmv.ny.gov/forms/ds875x.pdf
The PDF is a single-page document containing the complete examiner instructions. Always use the latest version from the official DMV site for compliance.
Related Article 19-A Forms and Resources
- DS-875Q — Article 19-A Biennial Oral/Written Examination questions
- DS-875Y — Oral/Written Examination Results score sheet
- DS-875 — Biennial Behind-the-Wheel Road Test
- DS-700 — Full Article 19-A Law and Regulations packet
- CDL-15 — Article 19-A Guide for Motor Carriers
All forms are available at dmv.ny.gov. Carriers must keep records for at least three years plus the current year.
Why Compliance with DS-875X and 19-A Matters for Motor Carriers?
Proper use of the DS-875X helps carriers:
- Avoid disqualification of drivers
- Prevent civil penalties or suspension of vehicle registrations
- Pass DMV audits (required at least every three years)
- Meet the annual Affidavit of Compliance (AFCO) filing deadline of July 1
Non-compliance can lead to serious operational and legal consequences.
Conclusion: Stay Compliant with New York Bus Driver Regulations
The DS-875X form is an essential tool for certified examiners and motor carriers to uphold the highest safety standards under New York’s Article 19-A program. By following these examiner instructions exactly, you ensure every bus driver demonstrates the required knowledge every two years.
Download the DS-875X PDF today from the official NY DMV website and keep your driver qualification files audit-ready. For questions about certification or forms, contact the Bus Driver Unit directly.
Stay safe. Stay compliant.