Illinois Form DSD CDTS 74 Oral Contract Compliance – Commercial driver training schools operating in Illinois must follow strict contract rules set by the Illinois Secretary of State. When schools use oral agreements instead of written contracts with students, they are required to file Form DSD CDTS 74. This form serves as an official sworn statement of compliance. It helps protect both students and schools while meeting state regulations under Title 92 of the Illinois Administrative Code.
This guide explains everything U.S.-based commercial driving school owners, managers, and instructors need to know about Form DSD CDTS 74, including its purpose, legal basis, filing requirements, and how to obtain the official document.
What Is Illinois Form DSD CDTS 74?
Form DSD CDTS 74 is the official “Commercial Driver Training Section Oral Contract and Agreement Compliance” document issued by the Illinois Secretary of State, Driver Services Department. The current version is dated December 2022 (DSD CDTS 74.3).
The form is a simple one-page sworn statement. On it, the school owner, partner, or associate affirms that all oral contracts and agreements used by the school have complied—and will continue to comply—with the mandatory contract provisions listed in Section 1060.80 of the Illinois Administrative Code.
It is not a student contract itself. Instead, it is a compliance certification filed with the state when a school applies for or renews its commercial driver training school license.
Legal Basis: Illinois Administrative Code Section 1060.80
The requirement for Form DSD CDTS 74 comes directly from 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1060.80 (Driver Training School Contracts).
Subsection (a) lists eight specific elements that every written contract must contain. Subsection (b) addresses oral agreements:
“If a contract or agreement between a driver training school and an individual for the sale, purchase, or charge for any driving instruction… is not in writing, the driver training school shall file with the Department a written statement under oath indicating that all of its oral contracts and agreements have complied, and will comply, with the foregoing requirements. The statement shall be filed when an application is made for a license to operate a driver training school. A new statement shall also be filed when the school requests the renewal of its license.”
Form DSD CDTS 74 is the official written statement used to satisfy this requirement.
Who Must File Form DSD CDTS 74?
Any licensed commercial driver training school in Illinois that uses oral (non-written) contracts or agreements with students must file this form. This includes schools offering:
- CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) training
- Teen driver education (accredited programs)
- Adult driver education courses
- Behind-the-wheel or classroom instruction for a fee
Schools that use only fully written contracts that meet all eight required elements in Section 1060.80(a) do not need to file Form DSD CDTS 74. However, many schools still submit it for complete documentation during licensing and renewal.
Required Elements of Compliant Contracts
Whether written or oral, every contract must include the following eight points (summarized from 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1060.80(a)):
- Agreed price per hour or lesson and terms of payment
- Statement that the agreement is the entire contract and no verbal promises outside it are binding
- Whether an extra charge applies for using the school vehicle during the official driving test
- Whether behind-the-wheel instruction is private, group, or both
- Specific start date/time, hours of instruction, and classroom location
- Name and address of the school and student, plus the student’s license/permit details
- Statement that all disputes must be directed to the Secretary of State’s Office
- Requirement that students in full CDL or teenage accredited programs complete the entire course within 9 months of the first classroom lesson
Additionally, Section 1060.80(c) prohibits “no refund” policies. Schools may state that tuition will not be refunded only if the school is ready and able to perform its part of the contract.
How to Complete and File Form DSD CDTS 74?
The form is straightforward:
- Download the official PDF from the Illinois Secretary of State website.
- Enter the name of the commercial driver training school.
- Confirm the compliance statement that references Title 92 Administrative Code, Chapter 2, Section 1060.80.
- Have the school owner, partner, or associate sign and date the form under oath.
File the completed form with your initial license application or license renewal package. Mail it to:
Illinois Secretary of State
Commercial Driver Training Section
1800 W. Hawthorne Lane
West Chicago, IL 60185
Phone: 630-520-9310
Applications must be submitted at least 15 days before the current license expires. The Commercial Driver Training Section will schedule inspections and process the paperwork after receipt.
Download Official Form DSD CDTS 74
Always use the official form provided by the Illinois Secretary of State. Third-party versions may not be current or accepted.
Official Download Link:
https://www.ilsos.gov/content/dam/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_cdts74.pdf
Forms on the Illinois Secretary of State website are fillable PDFs. Download the file to your computer and open it with Adobe Acrobat Reader for best results.
You can also find the form and related commercial driver training publications on the official forms page:
Commercial Drivers Publications and Forms
Related Licensing Requirements and Forms
Form DSD CDTS 74 is only one piece of the licensing package. Commercial driver training schools in Illinois must also meet location, classroom, vehicle, insurance, surety bond, and instructor requirements. Key related forms include:
- Driver Training School Application for Main License (DSD CDTS 24)
- Surety Bond Form (DSD CDTS 84)
- Insurance Certificate (DSD CDTS 10)
- Application for Driver Training Instructor (DSD CDTS 58)
- Safety Inspection — Driver Training School Motor Vehicle Fleet (DSD CDTS 27)
Full details and current fees (as of the latest published schedule) are available on the Illinois Secretary of State Commercial Driver Training Schools page:
Commercial Driver Training Schools
Why Compliance Matters?
Filing Form DSD CDTS 74 correctly helps schools avoid delays in licensing or renewal. More importantly, it demonstrates that the school follows state consumer-protection rules designed to give students clear information about costs, schedules, refunds, and dispute resolution.
Non-compliance with contract rules can lead to license denial, suspension, or revocation under the Illinois Vehicle Code and Administrative Code Part 1060.
Stay Current with Official Sources
Regulations and forms can be updated. Always verify the latest version of Form DSD CDTS 74 and the Administrative Code directly from these trusted Illinois government sources:
For questions about Form DSD CDTS 74 or commercial driver training school licensing, contact the Commercial Driver Training Section at 630-520-9310 or write to the West Chicago address listed above.
By properly completing and filing Illinois Secretary of State Form DSD CDTS 74, commercial driver training schools in the United States (specifically those operating in Illinois) can maintain full compliance with oral contract requirements and focus on delivering quality driver education.