Illinois DSD CDTS 120 Form: Non-CDL Third-Party License

Illinois DSD CDTS 120 Form: Non-CDL Third-Party License – Businesses, municipalities, fire departments, and other governmental agencies in Illinois that need to conduct non-commercial driver’s license (non-CDL) skills and road tests for their own employees or members must obtain a special license from the Illinois Secretary of State. The official application for this authorization is Form DSD CDTS 120 — Application for Non-CDL Third-Party Certification Entity License.

This form is part of the state’s Third-Party Certification Program administered by the Driver Services Department, Commercial Driver Training Section. It allows qualified entities to certify drivers in non-CDL classifications without requiring those drivers to take the road test at a Secretary of State facility.

What Is Form DSD CDTS 120?

Form DSD CDTS 120 is the official application used to request a main-facility license to operate as a Non-CDL Third-Party Certification Entity. Once approved, the entity may administer drive tests for the following non-CDL classifications:

Class A (non-CDL)
Class B (non-CDL)
Class C (non-CDL)
Class M (motorcycle)
School Bus

The form collects basic identifying information about the entity, the classifications it intends to certify, confirmation that a prescribed drive-test route has been submitted, and confirmation that the required agreement with the Secretary of State has been completed.

You can download the official fillable PDF directly from the Illinois Secretary of State website: Download Form DSD CDTS 120 (PDF).

Who Needs This License?

Any private company, municipality, fire department, or governmental agency that wants to conduct non-CDL skills and road exams for its own employees or members must hold a valid Non-CDL Third-Party Certification Entity License. The program is designed for organizations whose staff need these license classifications for daily job duties.

Important restrictions apply:

The entity may certify only its own employees or members (unions and fire departments may certify members).
No compensation, reimbursement, or other consideration may be accepted from the employee or member in exchange for the testing.
The entity must have at least one licensed Safety Officer who holds the appropriate Non-CDL Safety Officer License (Form DSD CDTS 123).

These rules are set out in the Illinois Administrative Code (92 Ill. Adm. Code 1030.60).

Required Documents for a Complete Application

Form DSD CDTS 120 is only one piece of the application package. For a main facility, the Illinois Secretary of State typically requires the following documents to be submitted together:

Completed Application for Non-CDL Third-Party Certification Entity License (DSD CDTS 120)
Completed Application for CDL Third-Party Certification Entity License (DSD CDTS 121) if the entity also seeks CDL authority
Agreement Between the Illinois Secretary of State and Driver’s License Third-Party Certification Entity (DSD CDTS 77)
Narrative description and physical layouts of the official road-test route
Application for Non-CDL Third-Party Certification Program Safety Officer License (DSD CDTS 123) for each safety officer
Surety Bond Form (DSD CDTS 119)
Two-Week Training Form (DSD CDTS 124) when applicable
Basic Control Skills diagrams, dimensions, and exercises (as provided by the Secretary of State)

If the entity plans to conduct tests at additional locations, a separate Application for Third-Party Certification Program Branch License (DSD CDTS 91) and Branch Agreement (DSD CDTS 90) must be submitted for each branch site, along with a prescribed drive-test route for that location.

All forms are available on the official Commercial Drivers Publications and Forms page and the Third-Party Certification Program page of the Illinois Secretary of State website.

How to Complete and Submit Form DSD CDTS 120?

The form is straightforward and must be printed or typed. Key sections include:

Name of the Non-CDL Third-Party Certification Entity
Street address, city, state, and ZIP code
Phone number, email address, and business hours
Non-CDL classifications the entity intends to certify (Class A, B, C, M, School Bus)
Yes/No confirmation that a prescribed drive-test course (route) has been submitted for approval
Yes/No confirmation that the required Agreement form has been submitted
Signatures of authorized representatives under penalty of perjury

Note that this application is only for the main third-party certification program license. Branch locations require separate applications.

Mail the complete package 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.

Facility and Operational Requirements

Under 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1030.60, a third-party certifying entity must maintain a regularly established place of business in Illinois (or in a contiguous state — Indiana, Missouri, Wisconsin, Iowa, or Kentucky — with an appointed Illinois-licensed safety officer agent). The facility must include:

An office
Adequate space to conduct basic control skills tests
A prescribed physical driving course that meets the same minimum standards used by the Secretary of State
Access to properly registered vehicles of the representative classifications being tested

Records of every certified employee or member must be retained for four years at the licensed location. The entity is subject to random audits and on-site inspections by the Department and, where applicable, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Why the Third-Party Certification Program Matters?

For employers with fleets of non-CDL vehicles (including certain farm, municipal, or specialized equipment), the ability to conduct in-house testing saves time and reduces scheduling delays at public Driver Services facilities. It also ensures that testing is performed by individuals familiar with the specific vehicles and operating conditions of the organization.

However, the privilege comes with strict compliance obligations. Providing false information on Form DSD CDTS 120 is a criminal offense and will result in denial of the license. Failure to maintain required records or allowing unauthorized testing can lead to suspension, cancellation, or revocation of the license.

Additional Resources and Related Forms

Official information and current versions of all related forms are maintained exclusively by the Illinois Secretary of State:

Always download forms directly from the official Illinois Secretary of State website to ensure you are using the most current version. Forms are fillable PDFs and should be completed using Adobe Acrobat Reader for best results.

Final Tips for a Successful Application

Before mailing Form DSD CDTS 120 and supporting documents, double-check that:

All required accompanying forms are completed and signed
A detailed narrative and map of the proposed road-test route are included
At least one Safety Officer application is submitted
The surety bond is properly executed
Contact information is accurate so the Commercial Driver Training Section can reach you for the mandatory training appointment

Submitting a complete, accurate package the first time helps avoid delays and allows your organization to begin certifying qualified employees as quickly as possible under Illinois law.

For the most up-to-date requirements, always refer to the official Illinois Secretary of State website and the current administrative rules. Requirements and form versions can change, so verifying information directly with the Commercial Driver Training Section is recommended.