Illinois SOS Form DSD A 388 Release Waiver – If you are a parent or teen driver participating in Illinois’ Cooperative Driver Testing Program (CDTP), you will need to complete Form DSD A 388. This official Illinois Secretary of State document is a Release and Waiver of Liability required before a student can take the behind-the-wheel driving skills test administered by a certified driver education instructor.
This guide explains what Form DSD A 388 is, why it is required, who must sign it, and how to download the current official version. All information is based on official publications from the Illinois Secretary of State’s office.
What Is Illinois Secretary of State Form DSD A 388?
Form DSD A 388 is the official “Release and Waiver of Liability” issued by the Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services Department. The form is dated January 2024 and is specifically used for participation in the Cooperative Driver Testing Program.
In the form, the student and parent or legal guardian agree to release, waive, and covenant not to sue the Illinois Secretary of State’s office and all of its officials and employees (the “Released Parties”) from any and all liability related to taking a driving skills test under the program. This includes claims of negligence and risks associated with driving, such as injury or death.
The form cites 92 Illinois Administrative Code 1060.82(e)(3) as the regulatory basis for the waiver.
You can download the official PDF here: Illinois Secretary of State Form DSD A 388 — Release and Waiver of Liability (PDF).
Purpose of the Cooperative Driver Testing Program
The Cooperative Driver Testing Program allows state-certified high school or commercial driver education instructors to administer the behind-the-wheel road test to their own students. When a student successfully completes the program requirements, the standard road test at a Secretary of State Driver Services facility is generally waived.
According to the Illinois Secretary of State, students must meet these conditions:
- Successfully complete an approved Teenage Driver Education program
- Earn a combined grade of A or B
- Receive approval from a parent or legal guardian
- Pass an instructor-administered behind-the-wheel exam
Form DSD A 388 protects the Secretary of State’s office by requiring participants to acknowledge the inherent risks of driving and assume those risks when taking the skills test under the program.
For more details on the program, visit the official Driver Education page on the Illinois Secretary of State website: Illinois Cooperative Driver Testing Program Information.
Who Must Complete Form DSD A 388?
Both the student and a parent or legal guardian must sign the form. The form includes signature lines for:
- Student – printed name, signature, and date
- Parent/Guardian – printed name, signature, and date
The release is voluntary and must be executed as a free and voluntary act. It applies only to the driving skills test administered as part of the Cooperative Driver Testing Program.
Key Provisions in Form DSD A 388
The form contains several important legal agreements:
- The undersigned release, waive, and covenant not to sue the Illinois Secretary of State’s office and its officials and employees from all liability and claims arising from the driving skills test, including claims of negligence.
- The participant understands the inherent dangers of driving (including injury and death) and assumes all risks, known or unknown.
- The document represents the complete understanding between the parties regarding liability for the driving skills test.
- Participation is limited to the purpose explicitly identified in the form.
- The release is intended to be a complete and unconditional waiver of liability to the greatest extent allowed by law.
These provisions are designed to protect the state while allowing certified instructors to administer official road tests.
How to Obtain and Complete Form DSD A 388?
Follow these steps:
- Download the official form from the Illinois Secretary of State website using the link above.
- Print the form (it is a single-page PDF).
- Have the student and parent/guardian carefully read the entire document.
- Both parties print their names, sign, and date the form.
- Submit the completed form as directed by your driver education instructor or school. Do not send it directly to the Secretary of State unless specifically instructed.
Always use the most current version available on the official Illinois Secretary of State website. Forms are updated periodically, and the January 2024 version is the one currently published.
Related Illinois Driver Education Requirements
After successfully completing the Cooperative Driver Testing Program and Form DSD A 388, teens still need to meet other licensing requirements before obtaining a driver’s license at age 16. These typically include:
- Holding an instruction permit for at least nine months
- Completing a 50-hour practice driving log (including 10 hours at night)
- Providing parental consent
- Presenting acceptable identification documents
- Paying the required license fee
Official information on teen driver licensing is available in the Illinois Rules of the Road and on the Secretary of State website: Illinois Secretary of State Official Website.
Important Notes for Parents and Students
Signing Form DSD A 388 means you are voluntarily waiving certain legal rights related to the driving skills test. Illinois courts generally uphold properly executed liability waivers for recreational or educational activities when they are clear and voluntarily signed. However, waivers typically do not protect against willful or wanton misconduct.
If you have questions about the legal effect of the form, consult a qualified Illinois attorney. For program-specific questions, contact your driver education instructor or the Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services Department.
The form is printed by authority of the State of Illinois and is available free of charge from the official source.
Download Form DSD A 388 Today
Ready to participate in the Cooperative Driver Testing Program? Download the official Release and Waiver of Liability form now:
Download Illinois SOS Form DSD A 388 (PDF)
Always verify that you are using the latest version directly from the Illinois Secretary of State website to ensure compliance with current requirements.