DS-873

The DS-873 form, issued by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), is a mandatory report used to document the annual defensive driving performance of bus drivers regulated under Article 19-A. This evaluation is a critical safety requirement designed to ensure that drivers carrying passengers maintain high standards of vehicle control and adherence to traffic laws in real-world conditions. Unlike the biennial road test, this observation must be conducted while the driver is operating a vehicle with passengers and cannot take place on the same day as a formal road test.

The assessment is performed by a certified examiner who rates the driver on various criteria, including speed control, signaling, turning, following distance, and interactions with traffic. The process requires a post-observation discussion where the examiner provides feedback and the driver signs the form to acknowledge the evaluation. Completed forms are used by motor carriers to manage fleet safety and ensure regulatory compliance, and by the DMV to monitor driver qualifications. Failure to maintain satisfactory performance or accurate reporting can impact a driver's licensing status and a carrier's business standing.