Employer Testing Program (ETP)

Employer Testing Program (ETP) - Information

Commercial Employers - Would you like to give the drive test portion of the Commercial Driver License test requirements to your driver(s) in lieu of sending them to the Department of Motor Vehicles?

If so, you may want to enroll in the Employer Testing Program (ETP).

The Employer Testing Program (ETP) is a third-party testing program in which the department allows employers of commercial drivers to conduct the drive test portion for the department's commercial drive licensing requirements for Class A, Class B, and non-commercial firefighter restricted license. ETP requires an employer-employee relationship in order to conduct third party testing. With the department's authorization, any public or private company may participate in ETP.

The department works in concert with the Federal Regulations regarding the elibility, administrative responsibilities, examiner qualifications, training standards, and inspections requirements for third party testing programs.

Employers enrolled in the ETP are required to obtain a DL520ETP Application to apply for an Employer Number (EN) in order to participate in the program. The EN is required to be renewed every three years in order to continue conducting third party drive tests.

Application for Employer Number (DL520ETP)

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will use the information on this application to determine if your organization qualifies to issue the Certificate of Driving Skill (DL170ETP) for your employers in compliance with the California Vehicle Code (CVC). Information submitted is subject to verification by DMV personnel.

Changes or corrections to the form will void the form unless initialed by the person who made them. Incomplete forms will be returned.

Prior to receiving authorization to participate in the Employer Testing Program (ETP), an on-site review may be required when the company is new to the program, or when prior authorization has been canceled, suspended, revoked, or expired over one year.

The on-site review will require a demonstration by the employer of a commercial drive test comparable to the standards used by DMV Examiners to license commercial drivers. Information on requirements may be found in the Employer Testing Program Handbook (DL533ETP) available at local DMV field offices or by calling the ETP at (916) 229-4404.

The following criteria must be met and maintained to qualify for an Employer Number:

The Administrator signing the Application for Employer Number (DL520ETP) must certify, under penalty of perjury, to the accuracy of the application and that the Employer will abide by the provisions in Title 13, California Code of Regulations, Article 2.1, Section 25.06-25.22, CVC Sections 12804.9(e) and 15250(c) and (d) governing the Employer Testing Program.
A new Application for Employer Number (DL520ETP) must be submitted within ten (10) days of occurrence if the Employer changes the Administrator, or the Administrator leaves employment of the company.
Your company must have a driver testing/training program.
Each driver issued a Certificate of Driving Skill (DL170ETP) must have passed a commercial driving test that meets DMV's commercial driving test requirements and standards.
Your company must only use, and may not vary from, the DMV approved drive test routes when conducting a commercial drive test.
Your company must note if your drivers will be operating vehicles carrying hazardous materials.
The Examiner conducting the commercial drive test must have the appropriate class of commercial driver license with any appropriate endorsement(s) and/or restrictions as required to operate his or her company vehicle(s), have passed DMV's training class, and have an Examiner Application (DL811ETP) on file with DMV.
A new Application for Employer Number (DL520ETP) must be submitted within ten (10) days if there is a change of address, company name, class of license that they are certifying for, or if a listed authorized representative(s) is no longer auhtorized to sign for the company.

Please complete the Application for Employer Number (DL520ETP) and return it with the appropriate fees to:

Department of Motor Vehicles
Employer Testing Program
P.O. Box 944278 M/S L-224
Sacramento, CA 94244-2780

If this is an original or renewal Application, you must also submit documentation of your primary and alternate drive test routes on the Commercial Driving Performance Evaluation (DPE) Route and Directions (DL814ETP), the Employer Testing Program Commercial DPE Manuaver Checklist (DL807ETP) and route maps for each drive test route, for DMV review and approval. Additional forms may be obtained at your local DMV field offices or by calling the Employer Testing Program at (916) 229-4404.