Commercial Driver Training

BECOME LICENSED AS A COMMERCIAL DRIVER TRAINING SCHOOL

The application process is fairly easy. You must complete the appropriate application forms.

The school location you've selected is required to be inspected by our office prior to signing a lease. This service prevents you from entering into a lease agreement for a location that does not comply with the state requirements for a commercial school. You may contact this office at (847)981-7455 to schedule an inspection appointment.

Refer to the Administrative Rules for Commercial Driver Training Schools. These are the regulations for which all licensed commercial schools must follow.

Please review the Commercial Driving School Checklist below. The checklist covers the major requirements to be licensed. Refer to the Administrative Rules for complete requirements.

Commercial Driving School Checklist

Your location must:

• Be Zoned Commercially
• Have Office space (minimum of 150 square feet)
• Have a working telephone listed to driving school
• Have signage indicating office hours (M-F 7 am-7pm, minimum 8 hours per week)
• Display a permanent school sign visible from 100 ft
• Be owned or leased by the commercial driving school.

Your classroom must:

• Consist of at least 300 square feet
• Have charts and diagrams pertaining to driver's education, etc.
• Contain blackboard, etc.
• Contain textbooks, reference material, audio visual, etc.
• Contain adequate fire extinguishers in operable condition.
• Have adequate seating, lighting, ventilation and bathroom facilities.

Training vehicles must:

• Be insured for $10,000 property; $50,000 bodily injury and death of one person; $100,000 bodily injury and death of two or more
• Be in the classification for which you are licensed
• Be inspected by the Illinois Department of Transportation (blue receipt)
• Have a valid vehicle registration and license.

A Surety Bond of $20,000 for protection of contractual rights of students is required.

CDL Curriculum is required. For information regarding the CDL Curriculum, please contact our office at (847) 981-7455.

The following applications must be completed and mailed to the Secretary of State's office if applicable:

• Application for Commercial Driving School
• School Ownership Personal History Form
• Vehicle Insurance Form
• Fleet Sheet
• Agreement between Parties for Use of Vehicles by Commercial Driving Schools
• Oral Agreement Form
• Application for Driver Training Instructor
• Driving Instructor Physical Form
• Teen Accreditation Form
• CDL Accreditation Form
• Surety Bond Form
• Driver Training School Application For Branch License

Application Fees Required (2-year License):

• $500.00 - Commercial School Fee
• $70.00 - Commercial School Instructor Fee (per instructor)

Make check payable to Illinois Secretary of State.

After completing and including the appropriate documents, please mail to:

Illinois Secretary of State
Commercial Driver Training Section
650 Roppolo Drive
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007

Upon receipt of applications, the Commercial Driver Training Section will contact you for scheduling initial inspections of property and processing of applications.