Department of Motor Vehicles

The third-party testing program permits an entity (AGENT) to conduct commercial driver license (CDL) skills tests in representative vehicles for AGENT’s employees or customers when such tests are required for applicants to obtain a class A, B, or C license, pursuant to New York Vehicle and Traffic Law (VTL) §§ 206, 502(4)(b), and 508(1) and 49 C.F.R. §383.75.

Eligibility Requirements

Businesses who wish to participate in the New York State (NYS) Department of Motor Vehicles Third Party CDL Testing Program must first apply with the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles.

To be considered for the program, any third-party entity that wishes to apply will need a list of examiners, a testing site, and a route that would meet the federal requirements.

Agreement

All Third-Party Entities whose application is accepted must sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which will provided by the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles (NYS Department of Motor Vehicles). Non-Governmental Third-Party Entities will also be required to maintain a surety bond in the amount of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00).

Basic Control Skills site

After an application is accepted, the Third-Party Entity must set up their own Basic Control Skills site, with the assistance of NYS Department of Motor Vehicles, which conforms to both NYS Department of Motor Vehicles and Federal standards.

CDL Road Test route

After an application is accepted, the Third-Party Entity must design a detailed route for their CDL Road Test course, with the assistance of NYS Department of Motor Vehicles.

Training

All approved examiners will participate in NYS Department of Motor Vehicles provided training for conducting a road test.

Monitoring & Violations

Once a Third-Party Entity is fully operational, they will submit to monitoring of their testing operation by NYS Department of Motor Vehicles staff.

Driving-Schools

Any driving school or entity who is in the business of training or testing for-hire cannot conduct a test for any individual that they have trained.

This restriction prohibits a CDL skills test examiner employed by the entity from conducting the skills test for applicants trained through the entity, even where the skills test examiner did not provide the direct training.

Private Service Bureau (PSB)

A driving school or for-hire operating as a Third Party testing entity may be required to become a Private Service Bureau (PSB). Questions regarding this requirement may be directed to the DMV Partnering Program office at (518) 473-9947.

Please note: Any examiner associated with a driving school cannot test an individual that was trained by anyone employed by the driving school.

Applying for the Program

All Third-Party Entities wishing to participate must apply through our online Application for Conducting Third Party Skills Testing.

NYS Department of Motor Vehicles reserves the right to deny an application in its sole discretion.

Program Support

Any questions or concerns please contact New York State DMV Third Party Testing Unit at [email protected].