scope:

Motor vehicle event data recorders (MVEDRs) collect, record, store, and export data related to motor vehicle pre-defined events in usage history. This standard defines a protocol for MVEDR output data compatibility and export protocols of MVEDR data elements. This standard does not prescribe which specific data elements shall be recorded, but instead provides a data dictionary of data attributes. This standard also defines a means of maintaining data security on the vehicle via a motor vehicle diagnostic link connector lockout apparatus (MVEDRCLA) by securing the vehicle output diagnostic link connector (DLC). This standard does not prescribe data security within the vehicle electronic control units (ECUs) or within the intra-vehicle communication and/or diagnostic networks; it instead defines ways and means to permit uniform but controlled access of electronic scan tools to the DLC for legitimate vehicle emissions status, maintenance, and/or repair. This standard also defines a motor vehicle event data recorder connector lockout apparatus (MVEDRCLA) and a near field communication (NFC) protocol of safeguarding access to a vehicle's event data recorder (EDR) data by securing the vehicle output diagnostic link connector (DLC). This standard is without prejudice to requirements of national or regional laws related to privacy, data protection, and personal data processing. This standard does not directly address related issues with regard to human health or human safety. It is applicable to vehicles and their respective event data recorders for all types of motor vehicles licensed to operate on public roadways, whether offered as original or aftermarket equipment, whether stand-alone or integrated within the vehicle.

Purpose

Many light-duty motor vehicles, and increasing numbers of heavy commercial vehicles, are equipped with some form of MVEDR. These systems, which are designed and produced by individual motor vehicle manufacturers and component suppliers, are diverse in function, and proprietary in nature, however, the SAE J1962 [B118]² (ISO 15031-3:2004 [B55]) vehicle DLC has a common design and pinout, and is thus universally used to access event data recorder information. Data access via the DLC can be accomplished by using scan tools or microcomputers and network interfaces. This same DLC and network interface is also used for re-calibrating electronic control units on a vehicle. Such ECU applications can include restraint controls, engine controls, stability controls, braking controls, etc. This standard defines a protocol to protect against misuse of electronic tools which use the DLC to erase, modify, or tamper with electronic controller or odometer readings, or to improperly download data. Implementation of MVEDRCLA provides an opportunity to voluntarily achieve DLC security by standardizing a MVEDRCLA that will act to prevent vehicle tampering, which can include odometer fraud, illegal calibrations leading to emissions violations, and theft of personal data. Adoption of this standard will therefore make the common MVEDR/DLC data more secure and credible while still permitting accessibility to legitimate end users. The continuing implementation of MVEDR systems provides an opportunity to voluntarily standardize data output and retrieval protocols to facilitate analysis and promote compatibility of MVEDR data. Adoption of the standard will therefore make MVEDR data more accessible and useful to end users.

² This standard defines the physical connector used for the OBD-II interface.