Minnesota Commercial Driver License (CDL) Third Party Tester Bond
Overview
Minnesota requires every approved CDL third-party tester to carry a surety bond before administering commercial driver license skills tests on behalf of the state. This bond holds your testing organization financially accountable to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety — Driver and Vehicle Services division — for the honest and compliant conduct of every CDL examination you administer. If your organization falsifies test results, fails to follow state testing protocols, or otherwise violates the terms of your third-party tester agreement, the bond provides a financial remedy. Getting bonded is a non-negotiable step in the approval process, and Bond Titan makes it fast.
Who Needs This Bond?
If you operate or plan to operate as a Minnesota-approved CDL third-party testing organization — meaning your business is authorized by Driver and Vehicle Services to conduct behind-the-wheel skills tests for commercial driver license applicants — you need this bond. It applies to private carriers, trucking companies, driving schools, and any other entity that has entered or is applying for a third-party tester agreement with the state. Without it, you cannot legally test CDL applicants in Minnesota.
What is this Bond For?
This bond protects the State of Minnesota and the public from financial harm caused by a third-party tester that fails to conduct CDL skills tests with integrity and in compliance with state requirements. It gives Driver and Vehicle Services a mechanism to recover losses if your organization issues fraudulent test results, improperly certifies drivers, or breaches the third-party tester agreement. The bond does not protect you — it protects the obligee and the public. Your organization is responsible for any valid claim paid out.
When is it Required?
Maintaining continuous coverage is critical — the bond must remain active for as long as your organization holds a CDL third-party tester agreement with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. If your bond lapses or is cancelled, your testing authority is at risk of suspension or termination. Renewal of the bond should be coordinated well in advance of any expiration date to prevent any gap in coverage. First-time applicants must secure the bond before their third-party tester agreement is finalized.
Where Does it Apply?
This bond is a statewide Minnesota requirement and applies wherever your organization conducts CDL skills testing under your third-party tester agreement — regardless of which county or city the test site is located in. The obligee is the State of Minnesota through Driver and Vehicle Services. There is no local or county-level version of this bond.
How to Buy Online
Click 'Buy This Bond Online' on this page and the secure surety portal will open in a new tab. Complete the application with your organization's information, and your bond documents will be issued digitally — no waiting on an agent callback. Download or forward your proof of bond directly to Driver and Vehicle Services as part of your third-party tester agreement process.
Why Bond Titan?
Bond Titan is powered by The Southern Agency and built for buyers who need their bond now — not after a round of phone calls and email chains. Our nationwide catalog covers Minnesota CDL tester bonds and thousands of others, all purchasable through a single online portal. Fast, direct, and backed by a licensed agency with real surety expertise.