Illinois DSD CDTS 82 Commercial Driving School Checklist – Starting a commercial driving school in Illinois requires careful compliance with state regulations administered by the Illinois Secretary of State (SOS). Form DSD CDTS 82 serves as the official checklist to guide applicants through the essential steps for opening a licensed commercial driver training school. This resource helps entrepreneurs, instructors, and business owners in the United States navigate location, facility, vehicle, insurance, bonding, and application requirements.
Whether you plan to offer adult driver education, teen driver training, or CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) instruction, using this checklist ensures you meet the standards under the Illinois Vehicle Code and Administrative Code Part 1060 before submitting applications. Always verify the latest details directly on the official Illinois SOS website, as rules and forms can be updated.
What Is Illinois Form DSD CDTS 82?
Form DSD CDTS 82 is the “Checklist for Opening a Commercial Driving School” published by the Illinois Secretary of State’s Commercial Driver Training Section. It provides a structured list of requirements covering the physical location, classroom, vehicles, insurance, surety bond, personal history documentation, fingerprinting, and application forms needed to obtain a main school license.
The form is available as a free PDF from the official Illinois SOS publications page. Completing the checklist items helps applicants prepare a complete package and avoid delays during the inspection and review process.
Download the Official DSD CDTS 82 Checklist
Download the current version of the official checklist directly from the Illinois Secretary of State:
Download Illinois Form DSD CDTS 82 – Checklist for Opening a Commercial Driving School (PDF)
Related forms and the full list of commercial driver training publications are available on the Illinois SOS Commercial Drivers Publications and Forms page.
Location Requirements
According to Form DSD CDTS 82 and official Illinois SOS guidelines, the school location must meet these standards:
- Be commercially zoned
- Provide a minimum of 150 square feet of office space
- Include classroom space of at least 300 square feet
- Have a working telephone listed specifically for the driving school
- Display signage indicating office hours (Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–5 p.m., with a minimum of eight hours per week)
- Feature a permanent school sign visible from 100 feet
- Be owned or leased by the commercial driving school (proof of ownership or lease agreement required)
These requirements ensure the facility is suitable for public instruction and accessible for official inspections. Full details appear on the Illinois SOS Commercial Driver Training Schools page.
Classroom and Facility Standards
The classroom section of the checklist requires:
- Sufficient seating and writing surfaces for students
- Charts and diagrams related to driver education
- A blackboard or equivalent instructional surface
- Textbooks, reference materials, and audiovisual resources
- Adequate fire extinguishers in operable condition
- Proper seating, lighting, ventilation, and bathroom facilities
If the school will offer teen driver education or CDL training, an approved curriculum must be submitted and accepted by the Secretary of State before those endorsements or accreditations are added to the school license.
Vehicle, Insurance, and Surety Bond Requirements
Training vehicles must satisfy the following:
- Liability insurance covering at least $50,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $100,000 for two or more persons, and $10,000 for property damage
- Vehicles must be owned by or leased to the school (lease agreement required if leased)
- Vehicles must match the classification for which instruction is given
- Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) safety inspection (blue receipt) required
- Valid vehicle registration and license plates
A continuous surety bond is also required to protect students’ contractual rights. Bond amounts vary by school type under current Illinois law and Administrative Code:
- $10,000 for non-accredited schools
- $40,000 for CDL or teen-accredited schools
- $50,000 for CDL or teen-accredited schools with three or more licensed branches
- $60,000 for combined CDL and teen-accredited schools
- $70,000 for combined CDL and teen-accredited schools with three or more branches
Refer to the official Surety Bond Schedule (DSD CDTS 113) and use the Surety Bond Form (DSD CDTS 84). Insurance documentation is filed using the Insurance Certificate form (DSD CDTS 10).
Required Applications, Documentation, and Fees
Form DSD CDTS 82 lists these key application items:
- Owner fingerprinting (fingerprint-based background check through the Illinois State Police and FBI is required by statute)
- School ownership information
- Personal History Form (Schedule 1 – DSD CDTS 8) for each owner, officer, or manager
- Driver Training School Application for Main License (DSD CDTS 24)
- Fleet Sheet / Safety Inspection for motor vehicle fleet (DSD CDTS 27)
- Completed insurance form
- $500 application fee (check or money order payable to Illinois Secretary of State) for the two-year commercial school license
- At least one licensed instructor who meets all regulatory requirements
- Fingerprint receipt for the owner
- $50 fee per branch classroom or office (if applicable)
Instructor applications use Form DSD CDTS 58, and a physical examination form (DSD CDTS 57) is required. Additional forms exist for teen accreditation (DSD CDTS 83), CDL accreditation (DSD CDTS 71), and adult driver education certification.
Application fees for a two-year license currently include:
- $500 – commercial school fee
- $70 – commercial school instructor fee (per instructor)
- $50 – commercial school branch license fee
Submit complete packages by mail to:
Illinois Secretary of State
Commercial Driver Training Section
1800 W. Hawthorne Lane
West Chicago, IL 60185
Phone: 630-520-9310
Applications should be submitted at least 15 days before any license expiration. After receipt, the Commercial Driver Training Section contacts the applicant to schedule facility and vehicle inspections.
Additional Steps for Teen or CDL Programs
Schools seeking to train teenagers or prepare students for a Commercial Driver’s License must obtain separate accreditation. Curriculum outlines for classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction must be approved in advance. CDL programs must also comply with federal Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements and appear on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry when applicable. Review the full rules in Illinois Administrative Code Title 92, Part 1060 and the Illinois Vehicle Code Section 6-402.
Tips for a Successful Application
Review every item on Form DSD CDTS 82 thoroughly before gathering documents. Ensure all owners and key personnel complete fingerprinting early, as background checks take time. Maintain clear records of ownership or lease agreements, insurance certificates, and vehicle inspections. Contact the Commercial Driver Training Section with questions prior to mailing materials. Requirements can change, so always cross-check the official Illinois Secretary of State website and current statutes.
Opening a commercial driving school in Illinois is a regulated process designed to protect students and maintain high instructional standards. By following Form DSD CDTS 82 and the supporting official resources, applicants position themselves for a smoother licensing experience and a compliant, successful business serving Illinois drivers.
For the most current information, visit the Illinois Secretary of State Commercial Driver Training Schools page or call 630-520-9310.