Illinois DSD CDTS 91 Third-Party Branch License App

Illinois DSD CDTS 91 Third-Party Branch License App – Businesses, municipalities, fire departments, and other organizations in Illinois that already hold a main Third-Party Certification Program license can expand their testing locations by applying for a branch facility license. The official form for this purpose is DSD CDTS 91, titled “Application for Third-Party Certification Program Branch License,” issued by the Illinois Secretary of State’s Driver Services Department.

This form allows licensed third-party certifying entities to conduct Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) skills and road tests for Classes A, B, C, and M at additional approved sites for their employees or members who need a CDL for daily operations.

What Is the Illinois Third-Party Certification Program?

The Illinois Secretary of State licenses and regulates private companies, municipalities, fire departments, and governmental agencies to participate in the Third-Party Certification Program. Under this program, approved entities may administer CDL skills tests (as specified in federal regulations under 49 CFR Part 383) to their own employees or members.

The program is governed by Illinois Administrative Code Title 92, Section 1030.60. A main facility license is required first. Once an entity has an established place of business, it may request approval to operate one or more branch facilities, provided each branch meets the same facility and testing standards as the main location.

Official program details are available on the Illinois Secretary of State Third-Party Certification Program page.

Purpose of Form DSD CDTS 91

Form DSD CDTS 91 is the specific application used to request a license for a branch facility under an existing Third-Party Certification Program entity license. It is not used for the initial (main) entity license. Applicants must already be licensed at a main facility before submitting a branch application.

According to the form itself (December 2022 edition), the application collects basic information about the third-party certification entity and the proposed branch location, confirms compliance with health and safety laws, and verifies that a prescribed drive-test course (route) has been submitted for approval.

Key Information Required on Form DSD CDTS 91

The official form requires the following details:

Name of the Third-Party Certification Entity
Street address, city, state, and ZIP code of the proposed branch
Phone number and business hours
Confirmation that the facility meets all state and local health and safety laws (Yes/No)
Confirmation that a prescribed drive-test course (route) for the location has been submitted for approval (Yes/No)
Signatures, titles, and dates of authorized representatives
Notarization (a notary public must complete the acknowledgment section)

Making a false statement or concealing a material fact on the application is a criminal offense and will result in denial of the license.

Branch Facility Requirements

In addition to Form DSD CDTS 91, applicants must submit the Branch Agreement Between the Illinois Secretary of State and Driver’s License Third-Party Certification Entity (Form DSD CDTS 90).

Under Illinois Administrative Code (92 Ill. Adm. Code 1030.60), a branch facility must meet the same standards as the main facility, including:

An office facility
Appropriate space to conduct basic control skills tests (specific dimensions apply for Class A, B, and C vehicles)
Compliance with all other operational and safety requirements applicable to the main location

An authorized representative of the Secretary of State will inspect the proposed branch facility. If it meets the requirements, the appropriate license is issued and must be displayed in a visibly prominent place at the branch.

Each branch must also have an approved predetermined CDL road test route that meets federal criteria (including required turns, intersections, railroad crossings or simulations, curves, expressway/rural sections, and grades).

How to Download and Submit Form DSD CDTS 91?

You can download the official PDF form directly from the Illinois Secretary of State:

Download Illinois Form DSD CDTS 91 (PDF)

Completed applications and supporting documents should be mailed to:

Illinois Secretary of State
Commercial Driver Training Section
1800 W. Hawthorne Ln.
West Chicago, IL 60185

Upon receipt, the Commercial Driver Training Section will contact the applicant to schedule any required training or inspection. For questions, call 630-520-9310 (or the number listed on the form: 847-981-7455).

Why Accurate Completion Matters for U.S. Businesses and Agencies?

For employers across the United States that operate commercial vehicles in Illinois—or Illinois-based organizations with multi-location operations—proper third-party certification reduces reliance on state-run testing facilities and helps keep internal drivers qualified efficiently. Branch licenses expand testing capacity while ensuring compliance with both Illinois and federal CDL standards.

Always use the most current version of Form DSD CDTS 91 from the official Illinois Secretary of State website and retain copies of all submitted materials. Requirements can be updated through administrative rule changes, so verify the latest instructions before filing.

Additional Resources

This information is based on official publications from the Illinois Secretary of State and current administrative rules. For the most up-to-date guidance or assistance with a specific application, contact the Commercial Driver Training Section directly.