Illinois DSD CDTS 8 Form: Owner Personal History Guide – If you plan to open or manage a commercial driver training school in Illinois, Form DSD CDTS 8 (Schedule 1) is a required document. Issued by the Illinois Secretary of State’s Commercial Driver Training Section, this personal history schedule collects detailed background information on every owner, partner, associate, corporate director, officer, and manager. It must be attached to the Driver Training School Application for License (such as Form DSD CDTS 24 for a main license).
This guide explains what the form is, who must complete it, the information it requests, related legal requirements under the Illinois Vehicle Code, and how to submit it correctly. All details are drawn from official Illinois Secretary of State resources and the Illinois Vehicle Code.
What Is Form DSD CDTS 8 Schedule 1?
Form DSD CDTS 8, officially titled “Schedule 1 – Personal History of Driver Training School Owner or Manager,” is a fillable PDF published by the Illinois Secretary of State. The current version (printed November 2021) requires applicants to print or type their responses. It is not a standalone application; it accompanies the main school license application and any branch license applications.
The form helps the Secretary of State verify that applicants meet the “good moral character” standard required by Illinois law. It covers personal identification, education, employment history, and a series of yes/no questions about criminal convictions, driving record issues, and potential conflicts of interest.
You can download the official form directly from the Illinois Secretary of State website:
Download Form DSD CDTS 8 (PDF)
Who Must Complete Form DSD CDTS 8?
Every individual listed as an owner, partner, associate, corporate director, officer, or manager of a commercial driver training school must complete a separate Schedule 1. This requirement applies whether the school offers teen driver education, adult driver education, CDL training, or a combination of programs.
Public schools and educational institutions that include driver education as part of their regular curriculum are exempt from commercial licensing rules. Private commercial schools, however, must comply fully.
Key Information Required on the Form
The form is divided into clear sections. Applicants should gather the following details before starting:
- General Information: Full legal name, home address, home phone, Social Security number, current Illinois driver’s license number and expiration date, name and address of the driver training school, place of birth, physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color, sex), date of birth, and name/address of spouse or nearest relative.
- Education: Highest grade completed (grade school through college), any GED, and details of any driver education course completed at an accredited college or university (institution name, hours, completion date, and instructor name).
- Employment History: List of employment for the past five years (most recent first), excluding current employment at a driver training school. Include firm name, address, kind of work, dates employed, and reason for leaving.
- Questions Section: Seventeen yes/no questions covering prior names, felony or misdemeanor convictions, manslaughter, reckless homicide, DUI, leaving the scene of an accident, perjury related to the Vehicle Code, traffic violations, moral turpitude crimes, pending charges, prior license denials or revocations (driver’s or instructor’s), financial interest in vehicle dealerships, unsatisfied accident judgments, and recent compensated driving instruction.
Any “yes” answer must be fully explained in the space provided. Applicants are not required to disclose sealed or expunged records. Material changes after submission must be reported within 20 days to the Commercial Driver Training Section.
Legal Requirements and Good Moral Character Standard
Under Section 6-402 of the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/6-402), every applicant for a driver training school license must be of good moral character and at least 21 years of age. The Secretary of State evaluates moral character by reviewing criminal history, driving record, and other relevant factors disclosed on Form DSD CDTS 8.
Applicants must also authorize a fingerprint-based background check. The form includes an affirmation that the applicant has been fingerprinted in accordance with Illinois Vehicle Code rules and that all information provided is true and correct. Knowingly making a false statement is a criminal offense and can lead to license denial or revocation.
Additional school licensing requirements include maintaining proper insurance, a surety bond, an established place of business, and at least one licensed instructor. Full details appear in the administrative rules (92 Ill. Adm. Code Part 1060) and on the official Commercial Driver Training Schools page.
For complete statutes, visit the Illinois General Assembly site: Illinois Vehicle Code.
How to Complete and Submit Form DSD CDTS 8?
- Download the official PDF from the Illinois Secretary of State website.
- Open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader for best results with fillable fields.
- Print or type all answers clearly. Complete every section.
- Answer every question honestly. Provide detailed explanations for any “yes” responses.
- Sign and date the affirmation at the bottom.
- Attach the completed Schedule 1 to the appropriate Driver Training School Application for License (DSD CDTS 24 for main license, DSD CDTS 38 for branch, or related forms).
- Include all other required documents such as insurance certificates (DSD CDTS 10), fleet safety inspection (DSD CDTS 27), and surety bond forms.
- Mail the complete package to:
Illinois Secretary of State
Commercial Driver Training Section
1800 W. Hawthorne Ln.
West Chicago, IL 60185
Applications must be submitted at least 15 days before a license expires. Upon receipt, the Commercial Driver Training Section schedules property inspections and processes the application. Contact the office at 630-520-9310 for questions.
Application fees (for a two-year license) currently include $500 for the commercial school and $50 for each branch. Instructor fees are separate.
Related Forms and Resources
Form DSD CDTS 8 is one piece of a larger application package. Other commonly required forms include:
- Driver Training School Application for Main License (DSD CDTS 24)
- Driver Training School Application for Branch License (DSD CDTS 38)
- Application for Driver Training Instructor (DSD CDTS 58)
- Insurance Certificate (DSD CDTS 10)
- Safety Inspection — Driver Training School Motor Vehicle Fleet (DSD CDTS 27)
- Surety Bond Form (DSD CDTS 84)
All current commercial driver training forms are listed on the official publications page: Commercial Drivers Publications and Forms.
For an overview of school licensing requirements, location standards, classroom rules, and vehicle standards, visit the Commercial Driver Training Schools page: Commercial Driver Training Schools.
Tips for a Smooth Application
- Double-check that every owner and manager has submitted a completed Schedule 1.
- Keep copies of everything you submit.
- Report any changes in ownership, address, or personal history within the required time frames.
- Ensure all vehicles meet dual-control, insurance, registration, and inspection standards before the site visit.
- Review the full administrative rules in 92 Ill. Adm. Code Part 1060 for detailed compliance expectations.
Accurate completion of Form DSD CDTS 8 demonstrates transparency and helps the Illinois Secretary of State protect students and maintain high standards for commercial driver education across the state. Download the official form today and begin preparing your complete application package.
Official Download Link: Illinois SOS Form DSD CDTS 8 – Schedule 1 (PDF)