1. Commercial Skills Testing Information Management System
(CSTIMS)
Overview
AAMVA
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2. Topics What is CSTIMS Why CSTIMS Terminology Overview of Functionality
Getting Started
CSTIMS is an application where users with access will be able to schedule and enter test results for applicant who wish to obtain a CDL. Users with the appropriate roles will have the capability to administer test as well.
This training topics included in this session include
Definitions of key terms associated with CSTIMS
An overview of the functionality available in CSTIMS
And information on how to get started as a jurisdiction using CSTIMS
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3. What is CSTIMS
A web-based system to manage the skills tests part of the CDL Program
No Development required to participate
Available on IE11 and Chrome browsers
Tracks/records information for jurisdiction and third party CDL skills Test Organizations and Examiners
Electronic record keeping of CDL test schedules, test results, audits, and training
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4. Topics What is CSTIMS Why CSTIMS Terminology Overview of Functionality
Getting Started
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5. Why CSTIMS
Real-time access to state and 3rd party CDL Skills Test Schedules
Allows jurisdictions to define specific business rules
Helps jurisdictions comply with many provisions of the final permit rule
Detection of fraudulent activities via system notifications
Allows transfer of out-of-state test results
Depending on discrepancy, alerts are sent either by or directly to the dashboard
If an out-of-state driver test scores can be entered in CSTIMS can be viewed by the driver’s domicile state either on CSTIMS or ROOSTR.
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6. Topics What is CSTIMS Why CSTIMS Terminology Overview of Functionality
Getting Started
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7. Terminology (CSTIMS Users)
MVA Clerks
CDL Monitors
Examiners
Auditors
Testers
Administrators
Applicants
Test Results
Schedules
Audits
Sanctions
FMCSA
Technical
Coordinators
Like any system, CSTIMS has its own terminology.
The terminology used by CSTIMS generally refers to a person or an entity managed by CSTIMS.
It is important to review the terms and their meanings as they are used in CSTIMS and its related documentation.
As the terms are discussed, references may be made that will be defined later.
For convenience, terms referring to people will be covered first.
Some things to note quickly:
Testers does not refer to a person but an entity
FMCSA does refer to a person
More about these in a moment. 7
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8. System Administrator (SA)
Adds
Jurisdiction Administrators
FMCSA Organization
System Administrator: a person responsible for adding Jurisdiction Administrator and FMCSA Organization to the system.
SAs can also add CDL Monitors, Testing Organization Responsible Parties, Examiners, MVA Clerks, and Auditors but, procedurally, they don’t unless the Jurisdiction Administrator asks for assistance.
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9. Jurisdiction Administrator (JA)
Designated by System Administrator
Appoints FMCSA
Adds (for their jurisdiction)
CDL Monitors
MVA Clerks
Auditors
Maintains CSTIMS Jurisdiction Business Rules
Jurisdiction Administrator:
In CSTIMS, a Jurisdiction Administrator is a person designated by the System Administrator to add CDL Monitors, MVA Clerks, and Auditors (and their Organizations) within a jurisdiction and also appoints FMCSA. JAs can also add Testing Organization Responsible Parties and Examiners but, procedurally, they don’t unless the CDL Monitor asks for assistance
A Jurisdiction Administrator also assigns and maintains settings for Jurisdiction Business Rules.
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10. CDL Monitor (CM) Tracks CDL testing By Jurisdiction and
By Third Parties
Adds Testing Organizations
Responsible Parties
May enter and update test results
CDL Monitor:
A CDL Monitor is a person charged with tracking CDL testing performed by a jurisdiction and Third Parties. CDL Monitors are responsible for adding all Tester Organizations, Testers' Responsible Parties, and Examiners (both jurisdiction and Third Party). CDL Monitors may also enter and update test results information.
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11. Testing Organization’s Responsible Party (RP)
Designated by Testing Organization
Handles Applicants and Schedules
Performs oversight of testing in organization
Point of Contact
Testing Organization's Responsible Party:
A person designated by a Testing Organization to enter applicant and schedule information.
The CDL Monitor is usually the Testing Organization's Responsible Party for jurisdiction MVAs.
A Testing Organization's Responsible Party may enter schedules and test results information.
The Testing Organization's Responsible Party is designated by the Testing Organization as their main point of contact relative to CSTIMS.
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12. 3rd Party Testing Organization Primary Contact
Owner, Operator, Chief Officer of an Organization
Accountable for that Organization’s CDL Skills Testing Program
May also be Responsible Party (RP)
The Third Party Testing Organization Primary Contact is the owner, operator, or chief officer who may be held accountable for that organization's CDL skills testing program. Depending on the type and size of the organization, this person may also be the organization's designated Primary Contact for information about their CDL skills testing program, and may also be the Testing Organization’s Responsible Party.
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13. Examiner (EX) Certified by the jurisdiction
Administers CDL skills tests
May schedule tests and enter test results
EXs can work for multiple Testing Organizations (if the jurisdiction Business Rules allow).
EXs can schedule tests only with themselves as the EX. EXs can enter test results for any Testing Organization with which he/she is affiliated but he/she will be the actual examiner. They can enter test results for colleagues within their organization (to handle when an examiner is out sick or running late and applicant is waiting).
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14. MVA Clerk (MC) Issues CDLs Confirms all required tests completed
This is a person responsible for issuing CDLs.
MVA Clerks use CSTIMS to confirm the applicant has successfully completed all tests required for issuance of a CDL.
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15. Auditor (AU) Designated by Jurisdiction Administrator
Assesses Compliance with State and Federal Regulations
Performs/Records Audits in CSTIMS
Auditor: a person designated to assess a Tester Organization's compliance with jurisdictional and federal regulations relating to CDL Skills Testing. Auditors perform audits and enter audit information.
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16. Training Coordinator (TC)
Designated by Jurisdiction Administrator
Creating and viewing of Examiner Training classes
Enrolls and enters scores for examiners in training classes
Prints Training Certifications
Training Coordinator is a person in charge of maintaining Knowledge and Skills Test examiners training information in CSTIMS. Training Coordinators can update examiner records to track training, and can create classes, assign examiners to classes, enter training exam results, and print training certificates for examiners.
Details are provided in a separate training modules.
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17. FMCSA (FM)
Regional Representative of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
Appointed by Jurisdiction Administrator
Performs Federal Oversight
Works with CSTIMS Reports
FMCSA: a person that is a representative of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and designated by the Jurisdiction Administrator to view and run certain reports on CDL Skills Testing activity in their respected jurisdictions. FMCSA users cannot enter or modify schedules or test results.
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18. Applicant Applies for CDL skills test
Applicant: a person who applies for one or more CDL skills tests.
Applicants are not users of CSTIMS.
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19. Terminology CSTIMS Entities
MVA Clerks
CDL Monitors
Examiners
Auditors
Testers
Administrators
Applicants
Test Results
Schedules
Audits
Sanctions
FMCSA
Technical
Coordinators
Now that the people associated with CSTIMS have been defined, CSTIMS entities can be discussed.
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20. Testing Organizations
An Organization
Third Parties
Jurisdiction
Employs Examiners
CSTIMS uses the term Testing Organization to refer to an organization that performs CDL testing.
Organizations include jurisdiction Motor Vehicle Agencies (MVAs), other jurisdiction/government agencies, and commercial Third Party Testers.
Testing Organizations employ Examiners.
A jurisdiction MVA is usually the Testing Organization for jurisdiction Examiners.
Organizations are added by the SA when the system is first set up and by the JA and CM as other organizations begin to participate.
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21. Schedules Scheduled Event One or More Parts of the CDL Skills Test
Vehicle Inspection
Basic Control Skills
Road Test
Schedule:
In CSTIMS, the term SCHEDULE refers to a scheduled event for one or more portions of a CDL skills test.
A complete skills test includes three individual segments, defined as:
Vehicle Inspection,
Basic Control Skills, and/or
Road Test.
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22. Test Results CDL Skills Tests Outcome
Passed or Failed (computed automatically)
Actual information recorded could be different from scheduled
Once the Applicant has completed any or all scheduled segments of the skills test, an authorized User (Examiner, CDL Monitor, or Tester's Responsible Party) updates Test entries with the test results for the Applicant.
The results indicate whether the CDL Skills Test segment was passed or failed along with other pertinent information.
Basically, this is an update for such things as the Examiner that administered the test, the Test Date, Test Start Time, Test Site ID, and/or Test Route for the actual Test. It also included the characteristics of the vehicle in which the test was administered.
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23. Audits Assessment of Testing Organization or Examiner's
Compliance with Jurisdictional and Federal Regulations
Audit: Information associated with an assessment of a Testing Organization or Examiner's compliance with jurisdictional and federal regulations relating to commercial skills Testing
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24. Sanctions Imposed on Testing Organization Imposed on Examiner
Temporary
Permanent
Sanction:
This is a penalty imposed on a Testing Organization or an Examiner.
CDL Monitors enter Sanctions.
A sanction may be temporary or permanent.
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25. Jurisdiction An Organization Interprets, Applies Law
State, Commonwealth, District
There are other key terms associated with CSTIMS.
Jurisdiction:
A jurisdiction is an organization with power, right or authority to interpret and apply the law, or the limit or territory within which authority may be exercised.
Other terms are synonymous with Jurisdiction such as STATE, COMMONWEALTH, or DISTRICT (District of Columbia).
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26. Jurisdiction Business Rules
Jurisdictional Differences
Provides Flexibility
Specific Values used to apply CSTIMS rules
Example: Minimum Passing Score
CDL skills test administration is performed differently in each jurisdiction, so there is a need to provide each jurisdiction with a capability to tailor some system functions and business rules to their needs.
To provide this flexibility, each Jurisdiction may specify its own values for jurisdiction-specific business rules, minimum skills test passing scores, and designated 'daylight hours'.
Processes will check these jurisdiction settings and enforce applicable business rules or notify specified users based on the values entered.
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27. Process Alerts and Actions
Based on CSTIMS Rules for Evaluating Data
Messages Returned to User s
Dashboard alerts (implemented to reduce the number of s)
Flagged Entries in Reports
Can Result in System Action
CSTIMS processes and reports may issue alerts to specified users for a variety of data-related reasons.
Alerts may be issued as system messages, s, or flagged report entries:
Alerts to the currently-online user will be sent as system messages
Alerts to other applicable users will be sent via
Alerts in reports will take the form of flagged report entries
The system may take a specific action based on the alert or may only issue an alert notification.
Additional terminology will be introduced in the discussions of specific CSTIMS processes.
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28. CSTIMS Recap Applicants Technical Coordinators Administrators
MVA Clerks
CDL Monitors
Examiners
Auditors
Testers
Administrators
Applicants
Test Results
Schedules
Audits
Sanctions
FMCSA
Technical
Coordinators
The previous discussion covered the people that interact with CSTIMS and CSTIMS entities. System access is based on the “Role” which a user performs: System Administrator, Jurisdiction Administrator, CDL Monitor, Examiner, Auditor, MVA Clerk, Testing Organization’s Responsible Party, and FMCSA.
The system maintains the following information related to CDL Testing within each jurisdiction:
Participating jurisdiction agencies, MVA Testers, and Third Party Testers
Participating MVA and Third Party Testing Organization agency personnel
Skills Test Applicants
Schedules for Skills Tests
Skills Test Results
Audits conducted on Testers/Examiners
Sanctions imposed on Testers/Examiners
This next portion will address the basic functionality of CSTIMS.
CSTIMS is an automated Internet-based system.
A centralized Internet application approach frees jurisdictions from application development and minimizes cost/complexity to fully participate.
A centralized application provides the necessary commonality and standardization of operation.
Internet access frees users from dependency on organization-specific networks and access methods. Users can access the system “on the road”, at their convenience.
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29. Topics What is CSTIMS Why CSTIMS Terminology Overview of Functionality
Getting Started
This training topics included in this session include
Definitions of key terms associated with CSTIMS
An overview of the functionality available in CSTIMS
And information on how to get started as a jurisdiction using CSTIMS
© 2016 AAMVA AAMVA - PUBLIC ● Training Presentation

30. Home Page
This is the CSTIMS home page presented by CSTIMS to a Jurisdiction Administrator after log in (the calendar view is the ‘Home Page’ for the CM, AU, RP, and EX roles). Note that the environment in which you are logged in is displayed.
Accessing the CSTIMS system will be discussed later in this training.
The CSTIMS home page allows the user to select the primary functions of CSTIMS and start using the system.
The basic functions of CSTIMS are listed in the tabs across the top of the page. They are:
Administration (Jurisdiction Business Rules; Organization, User and Certification Control Document maintenance)
Testing (entering, modifying, and reviewing schedules and test results)
Audits
/Alerts Management
Reports
System (password change, preferences)
Training (import capabilities for examiner training classes/scores)
These tabs (and their associated sub-menus) will be different based on the user’s role(s).
Each of these is discussed in separate training.
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31. Admin Tab
The “Admin” tab is used to access Jurisdiction Business Rules, Organizations and Users, Certification Control Documents, CM Affiliations, list of Examiner Appointments (activities other than CDL Skills Tests), Training Management, and Tablet Administration. ‘Examiner Import’ (CA specific).
Details are provided in separate training modules.
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32. Testing Tab
The ‘Testing’ tab is used to schedule tests, enter test results, review test completion details, view test route documents, view the schedule calendar, and maintain fleet vehicle information.
Details are provided in separate training.
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33. Audit Tab
The ‘Audit’ tab is used to enter and review information on any audits the jurisdiction performs on Testing Organizations or Examiners and allows the linking of Auditors to specific Testing Organizations.
Details are provided in separate training.
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34. Alerts Tab
The ‘Alerts’ tab is used to search any s received (not yet implemented) and to specify which alerts (and under what conditions) you desire to receive.
Details are provided in separate training.
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35. Reports Tab
The ‘Reports’ tab is used to generate reports. The types of reports is determined by the user’s role(s).
Details are provided in separate training.
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36. System Tab
The ‘System’ tab is used to manage your profile (currently, the only function available is for changing your password) or manage individual settings (currently, the only function available is for designating the time format – 12- or 24-hour display – for all times shown in CSTIMS).
Details are provided in separate training.
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37. Help Tab
The ‘Help’ tab is used to review functions that can be performed while viewing the calendar along with other ‘Quick Tips’ that may be beneficial. The ‘Quick Tips’ are provided as a pop-up when a user first logs in and can be viewed any time. The ‘Quick Tips’ available are determined by the user’s role(s).
Details are provided in separate training.
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38. Training Tab
The ‘Training’ tab is used to import examiner training classes, class registrations and examiner scores. Excel files can be used to bulk import rather than manually enter examiner training classes one-by-one.
Details are provided in separate training.
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39. Topics What is CSTIMS Why CSTIMS Terminology Overview of Functionality
Getting Started
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40. Getting Started Technical Considerations Training Start Up
Individual Use
The final portion of this training module deals with getting started with CSTIMS.
Getting started involves four main areas:
The technical considerations related to the software
The training in how to administer and use the system
The effort required to set up CSTIMS for a specific jurisdiction
And finally, the mechanics of how an individual would use the system to do work
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41. Technical Considerations
Internet connectivity
Browser:
Internet Explorer 11 or above
Google Chrome
CSTIMS has been designed to run on multiple platforms as a web-based application.
In general, the following recommendations apply:
Internet connectivity
Browser:
Internet Explorer 11 or above
Google Chrome (latest version*)
*Note: this browser automatically updates to latest versions
If you have questions regarding the technical considerations for using CSTIMS, please contact the AAMVA Help Desk at AAMVA80 option 1 or
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42. Technical Problems Help Desk Support:
Call AAMVA80, select option 1
Leave a message:
Name, Jurisdiction or Business Name, Telephone Number, brief description of problem
If CSTIMS or AAMVA Network is down:
Help Desk Call Center Message informs
Leave a message - status will be provided
AAMVA Operations Help Desk support is available 24 hours a day. The Help Desk office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, Eastern, except holidays (listed on the AAMVA website [
To report a technical problem with CSTIMS or a suspected communications problem with the AAMVA network,
contact the AAMVA Operations Help Desk via telephone by calling AAMVA80 ( ) and selecting Option 1.
Leave a message with your name, jurisdiction or business name, telephone number and a brief description of the problem.
In the rare instance of a major network outage or if one of the central applications such as CSTIMS is down, the Help Desk call center message will be changed to inform you that the Help Desk is aware of the problem and steps are being taken to correct it. In this case, it is likely that the Help Desk is receiving many calls and may not be able to call you back immediately. Please leave your message and someone will return your call and provide an update as soon as possible.
A more detailed description of AAMVA Help Desk support can be found at:
For questions, software change requests, contact the CSTIMS team at:
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43. Training Support Train the Trainer Jurisdiction Administrator
Within the Jurisdiction
Training Testing Organizations
CSTIMS training needs to occur at many levels. Training materials have been developed for CSTIMS on a Train-the-Trainer basis.
AAMVA provides training to jurisdiction personnel responsible for CSTIMS so that they in turn can provide training within their jurisdiction to those involved in the administration and use of CSTIMS.
CSTIMS requires training on many levels.
Jurisdiction Administrators are trained to set up the system and establish jurisdiction parameters.
Within the jurisdiction, training need to be provided for such considerations as:
Training CDL monitors to set up Testing Organizations, run reports, and respond to process alerts and actions.
Training MVA clerks to record and review test results.
Training Auditors in how to use the system to gather information supporting audits and how to record the results of audits in CSTIMS
Training for Testing Organizations (including Examiners – both 3rd Party and Jurisdiction) also needs to be provided to support:
Entering information about applicants
Scheduling tests
Recording test results
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44. Training Support Webinars can be scheduled
Downloads from AAMVA website (PowerPoint presentations with speaker notes)
Materials can be customized by jurisdiction
CSTIMS training support is provided by AAMVA.
Webinars can be scheduled to provide training to a wide audience.
The training materials are available from the AAMVA website (‘Documentation’ tab at
Training materials consist of PowerPoint presentations complete with speaker notes for all of the CSTIMS training modules.
Jurisdictions are encouraged to customize the materials to meet the needs of their CDL skills testing programs.
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45. Questions ?
This document was created through financial support and assistance from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators is not a part of the United States Government or of FMCSA; therefore, they do not represent the official position or policies of the FMCSA, the United States Department of Transportation, or the United States Government.
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