49 CFR Part 563 — Event Data Recorders

PART 563—EVENT DATA RECORDERS Authority: 49 U.S.C. 322, 30101, 30111, 30115, 30117, 30166, 30168; delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.95. Source: 71 FR 51043, Aug. 28, 2006, unless otherwise noted. § 563.1 Scope. This part specifies uniform, national requirements for vehicles equipped with event data recorders (EDRs) concerning the collection, storage, and retrievability of onboard motor vehicle crash event data. It also specifies requirements for vehicle manufacturers to make tools and/or methods commercially available so that crash investigators and researchers are able to retrieve data from EDRs. § 563.2 Purpose. The purpose of this part is to help ensure that EDRs record, in a readily usable manner, data valuable for effective crash investigations and for analysis of safety equipment performance (e.g., advanced restraint systems). These data will help provide a better understanding of the circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur and will lead to safer vehicle designs. § 563.3 Application. This part applies to the following vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2012, if they are equipped with an event data recorder: passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a GVWR of 3,855 kg (8,500 pounds) or less and an unloaded vehicle weight of 2,495 kg (5,500 pounds) or less, except for walk-in van-type trucks or vehicles designed to be sold exclusively to the U.S. Postal Service. This part also applies to manufacturers of those vehicles. However, vehicles manufactured before September 1, 2013 that are manufactured in two or more stages or that are altered (within the meaning of 49 CFR 567.7) after having been previously certified to the Federal motor vehicle safety standards in accordance with part 567 of this chapter need not meet the requirements of this part. [73 FR 2179, Jan. 14, 2008] § 563.4 Certification for Phase-in. (a) Vehicle certification information. (b) Vehicles produced by more than one manufacturer. (1) A vehicle which is imported shall be attributed to the importer. (2) A vehicle manufactured in the United States by more than one manufacturer, one of which also markets the vehicle, shall be attributed to the manufacturer which markets the vehicle. (c) Attributability by express written contract of vehicles produced by more than one manufacturer. (d) Average annual production. [91 FR 28440, May 18, 2026] § 563.5 Definitions. (a) Motor vehicle safety standard definitions. (b) Other definitions. ABS activity Air bag warning lamp status Capture Delta-V, lateral Delta-V, longitudinal Deployment time, frontal air bag Disposal End of event time Engine RPM (1) For vehicles powered by internal combustion engines, the number of revolutions per minute of the main crankshaft of the vehicle's engine; and (2) For vehicles not entirely powered by internal combustion engines, the number of revolutions per minute of the motor shaft at the point at which it enters the vehicle transmission gearbox. Engine throttle, percent full Event Event data recorder (EDR) Frontal air bag Ignition cycle, crash Ignition cycle download Lateral acceleration Limited-line manufacturer Longitudinal acceleration Maximum delta-V, lateral Maximum delta-V, longitudinal Maximum delta-V, resultant Multi-event crash Non-volatile memory Normal acceleration Occupant position classification Occupant size classification Pretensioner Record Safety belt status Seat track position switch, foremost, status Service brake, on or off Side air bag Side curtain/tube air bag Small-volume manufacturer Speed, vehicle indicated Stability control Steering input Suppression switch status Time from event 1 to 2 Time, maximum delta-V, lateral Time, maximum delta-V, longitudinal Time, maximum delta-V, resultant Time to deploy, pretensioner Time to deploy, side air bag/curtain Time to first stage Time to n th Time zero (1) For systems with “wake-up” air bag control systems, the time at which the occupant restraint control algorithm is activated; or (2) For continuously running algorithms, (i) The first point in the interval where a longitudinal cumulative delta-V of over 0.8 km/h (0.5 mph) is reached within a 20 ms time period; or (ii) For vehicles that record “delta-V, lateral,” the first point in the interval where a lateral cumulative delta-V of over 0.8 km/h (0.5 mph) is reached within a 5 ms time period; or (3) Deployment of a non-reversible deployable restraint. Trigger threshold Vehicle roll angle Volatile memory X-direction Y-direction Z-direction [73 FR 2180, Jan. 14, 2008, as amended at 76 FR 47486, Aug. 5, 2011; 89 FR 102832, Dec. 18, 2024] § 563.6 Requirements for vehicles. Each vehicle equipped with an EDR must meet the requirements specified in § 563.7 for data elements, § 563.8 for data format, § 563.9 for data capture, § 563.10 for crash test performance and survivability, and § 563.11 for information in owner's manual. § 563.7 Data elements. (a) Data elements required for all vehicles. Table I to § 563.7( a Data element Recording interval/time 1 Data Delta-V, longitudinal 0 to 250 ms or 0 to End of Event Time plus 30 ms, whichever is shorter 100 Maximum delta-V, longitudinal 0-300 ms or 0 to End of Event Time plus 30 ms, whichever is shorter N/A Time, maximum delta-V 0-300 ms or 0 to End of Event Time plus 30 ms, whichever is shorter N/A Speed, vehicle indicated −20 to 0 sec 4 4 Engine throttle, % full (or accelerator pedal, % full) −20 to 0 sec 4 4 Service brake, on/off −20 to 0 sec 4 4 Ignition cycle, crash −1.0 sec N/A Ignition cycle, download At time of download 3 N/A Safety belt status, driver −1.0 sec N/A Frontal air bag warning lamp, on/off 2 −1.0 sec N/A Frontal air bag deployment, time to deploy, in the case of a single stage air bag, or time to first stage deployment, in the case of a multi-stage air bag, driver Event N/A Frontal air bag deployment, time to deploy, in the case of a single stage air bag, or time to first stage deployment, in the case of a multi-stage air bag, right front passenger Event N/A Multi-event, number of event Event N/A Time from event 1 to 2 As needed N/A Complete file recorded (yes, no) Following other data N/A 1 e.g., 2 3 4 (b) Data elements required for vehicles under specified conditions. Table II to § 563.7( b Data element name Condition for Recording interval/time 1 Data Lateral acceleration If recorded 2 N/A N/A Longitudinal acceleration If recorded N/A N/A Normal acceleration If recorded N/A N/A Delta-V, lateral If recorded 0-250 ms or 0 to End of Event Time plus 30 ms, whichever is shorter 100 Maximum delta-V, lateral If recorded 0-300 ms or 0 to End of Event Time plus 30 ms, whichever is shorter N/A Time maximum delta-V, lateral If recorded 0-300 ms or 0 to End of Event Time plus 30 ms, whichever is shorter N/A Time for maximum delta-V, resultant If recorded 0-300 ms or 0 to End of Event Time plus 30 ms, whichever is shorter N/A Engine rpm If recorded −20 to 0 sec 5 5 Vehicle roll angle If recorded −1.0 up to 5.0 sec 3 10 ABS activity (engaged, non-engaged) If recorded −20 to 0 sec 5 5 Stability control (on, off, or engaged) If recorded −20 to 0 sec 5 5 Steering input If recorded −20 to 0 sec 5 5 Safety belt status, right front passenger (buckled, not buckled) If recorded −1.0 sec N/A Frontal air bag suppression switch status, right front passenger (on, off, or auto) If recorded −1.0 sec N/A Frontal air bag deployment, time to nth stage, driver 4 If equipped with a driver's frontal air bag with a multi-stage inflator Event N/A Frontal air bag deployment, time to nth stage, right front passenger 4 If equipped with a right front passenger's frontal air bag with a multi-stage inflator Event N/A Frontal air bag deployment, nth stage disposal, driver, Y/N (whether the nth stage deployment was for occupant restraint or propellant disposal purposes) If recorded Event N/A Frontal air bag deployment, nth stage disposal, right front passenger, Y/N (whether the nth stage deployment was for occupant restraint or propellant disposal purposes) If recorded Event N/A Side air bag deployment, time to deploy, driver If recorded Event N/A Side air bag deployment, time to deploy, right front passenger If recorded Event N/A Side curtain/tube air bag deployment, time to deploy, driver side If recorded Event N/A Side curtain/tube air bag deployment, time to deploy, right side If recorded Event N/A Pretensioner deployment, time to fire, driver If recorded Event N/A Pretensioner deployment, time to fire, right front passenger If recorded Event N/A Seat track position switch, foremost, status, driver If recorded -1.0 sec N/A Seat track position switch, foremost, status, right front passenger If recorded -1.0 sec N/A Occupant size classification, driver If recorded -1.0 sec N/A Occupant size classification, right front passenger If recorded -1.0 sec N/A Occupant position classification, driver If recorded -1.0 sec N/A Occupant position classification, right front passenger If recorded -1.0 sec N/A 1 e.g., 2 3 4 5 [89 FR 102832, Dec. 18, 2024, as amended at 91 FR 28440, May 18, 2026] § 563.8 Data format. (a) The data elements listed in Tables I and II, as applicable, must be reported in accordance with the range, accuracy, and resolution specified in Table III. Table III—Reported Data Element Format Data element Minimum range Accuracy 1 Resolution Lateral acceleration At option of manufacturer At option of manufacturer At option of manufacturer. Longitudinal acceleration At option of manufacturer At option of manufacturer At option of manufacturer. Normal Acceleration At option of manufacturer At option of manufacturer At option of manufacturer. Longitudinal delta-V −100 km/h to + 100 km/h ±10% 1 km/h. Lateral delta-V −100 km/h to + 100 km/h ±10% 1 km/h. Maximum delta-V, longitudinal −100 km/h to + 100 km/h ±10% 1 km/h. Maximum delta-V, lateral −100 km/h to + 100 km/h ±10% 1 km/h. Time, maximum delta-V, longitudinal 0-300 ms, or 0−End of Event Time plus 30 ms, whichever is shorter ±3 ms 2.5 ms. Time, maximum delta-V, lateral 0-300 ms, or 0−End of Event Time plus 30 ms, whichever is shorter ±3 ms 2.5 ms. Time, maximum delta-V, resultant 0-300 ms, or 0−End of Event Time plus 30 ms, whichever is shorter ±3 ms 2.5 ms. Vehicle Roll Angle −1080 deg to + 1080 deg ±10% 10 deg. Speed, vehicle indicated 0 km/h to 200 km/h ±1 km/h 1 km/h. Engine throttle, percent full (accelerator pedal percent full) 0 to 100% ±5% 1%. Engine rpm 0 to 10,000 rpm ±100 rpm 100 rpm. Service brake On or Off N/A On or Off. ABS activity On or Off N/A On or Off. Stability control On, Off, or Engaged N/A On, Off, or Engaged. Steering input −250 deg CW to + 250 deg CCW ±5% ±1%. Ignition cycle, crash 0 to 60,000 ±1 cycle 1 cycle. Ignition cycle, download 0 to 60,000 ±1 cycle 1 cycle. Safety belt status, driver On or Off N/A On or Off. Safety belt status, right front passenger On or Off N/A On or Off. Frontal air bag warning lamp On or Off N/A On or Off. Frontal air bag suppression switch status, right front passenger On, Off, or Auto N/A On, Off, or Auto. Frontal air bag deployment, time to deploy/first stage, driver 0 to 250 ms ±2ms 1 ms. Frontal air bag deployment, time to deploy/first stage, right front passenger 0 to 250 ms ±2 ms 1 ms. Frontal air bag deployment, time to nth stage, driver 0 to 250 ms ±2 ms 1 ms. Frontal air bag deployment, time to nth stage, right front passenger 0 to 250 ms ±2 ms 1 ms. Frontal air bag deployment, nth stage disposal, driver Yes or No N/A Yes or No. Frontal air bag deployment, nth stage disposal, right front passenger Yes or No N/A Yes or No. Side air bag deployment, time to deploy, driver 0 to 250 ms ±2 ms 1 ms. Side air bag deployment, time to deploy, right front passenger 0 to 250 ms ±2 ms 1 ms. Side curtain/tube air bag deployment, time to deploy, driver side 0 to 250 ms ±2 ms 1 ms. Side curtain/tube air bag deployment, time to deploy, right side 0 to 250 ms ±2 ms 1 ms. Pretensioner deployment, time to fire, driver 0 to 250 ms ±2 ms 1 ms. Pretensioner deployment, time to fire, right front passenger 0 to 250 ms ±2 ms 1 ms. Seat track position switch, foremost, status, driver Yes or No N/A Yes or No. Seat track position switch, foremost, status, right front passenger Yes or No N/A Yes or No. Occupant size classification, driver 5th percentile female or larger N/A Yes or No. Occupant size classification, right front passenger Child N/A Yes or No. Occupant position classification, driver Out of position N/A Yes or No. Occupant position classification, right front passenger Out of position N/A Yes or No. Multi-event, number of event 1 or 2 N/A 1 or 2. Time from event 1 to 2 0 to 5.0 sec 0.1 sec 0.1 sec. Complete file recorded Yes or No N/A Yes or No. 1 (b) Acceleration Time-History data and format: the longitudinal, lateral, and normal acceleration time-history data, as applicable, must be filtered either during the recording phase or during the data downloading phase to include: (1) The Time Step (TS) that is the inverse of the sampling frequency of the acceleration data and which has units of seconds; (2) The number of the first point (NFP), which is an integer that when multiplied by the TS equals the time relative to time zero of the first acceleration data point; (3) The number of the last point (NLP), which is an integer that when multiplied by the TS equals the time relative to time zero of the last acceleration data point; and (4) NLP—NFP + 1 acceleration values sequentially beginning with the acceleration at time NFP * TS and continue sampling the acceleration at TS increments in time until the time NLP * TS is reached. [73 FR 2183, Jan. 14, 2008, as amended at 76 FR 47488, Aug. 5, 2011; 77 FR 47556, Aug. 9, 2012; 77 FR 59566, Sept. 28, 2012] § 563.9 Data capture. The EDR must capture and record the data elements for events in accordance with the following conditions and circumstances: (a) In a frontal air bag deployment crash, capture and record the current deployment data. In a side or side curtain/tube air bag deployment crash, where lateral delta-V is recorded by the EDR, capture and record the current deployment data. The memory for the air bag deployment event must be locked to prevent any future overwriting of the data. (b) In an event that does not meet the criteria in § 563.9(a), capture and record the current event data, up to two events, subject to the following conditions: (1) If an EDR non-volatile memory buffer void of previous-event data is available, the current event data is recorded in the buffer. (2) If an EDR non-volatile memory buffer void of previous-event data is not available, the manufacturer may choose to either overwrite any previous event data that does not deploy an air bag with the current event data, or to not record the current event data. (3) EDR buffers containing previous frontal, side, or side curtain/tube air bag deployment-event data must not be overwritten by the current event data. [76 FR 47489, Aug. 5, 2011] § 563.10 Crash test performance and survivability. (a) Each vehicle subject to the requirements of S5, S14.5, S15, or S17 of 49 CFR 571.208, Occupant crash protection, (b) Each vehicle subject to the requirements of 49 CFR 571.214, Side impact protection, (c) The data elements required by § 563.7, except for the “Engine throttle, percent full,” “engine RPM,” and “service brake, on/off,” must be recorded in the format specified by § 563.8, exist at the completion of the crash test, and be retrievable by the methodology specified by the vehicle manufacturer under § 563.12 for not less than 10 days after the test, and the complete data recorded element must read “yes” after the test. § 563.11 Information in owner's manual. (a) The owner's manual in each vehicle covered under this regulation must provide the following statement in English: This vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder (EDR). The main purpose of an EDR is to record, in certain crash or near crash-like situations, such as an air bag deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data that will assist in understanding how a vehicle's systems performed. The EDR is designed to record data related to vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short period of time, typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in this vehicle is designed to record such data as: • How various systems in your vehicle were operating; • Whether or not the driver and passenger safety belts were buckled/fastened; • How far (if at all) the driver was depressing the accelerator and/or brake pedal; and, • How fast the vehicle was traveling. These data can help provide a better understanding of the circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur. NOTE: EDR data are recorded by your vehicle only if a non-trivial crash situation occurs; no data are recorded by the EDR under normal driving conditions and no personal data (e.g., name, gender, age, and crash location) are recorded. However, other parties, such as law enforcement, could combine the EDR data with the type of personally identifying data routinely acquired during a crash investigation. To read data recorded by an EDR, special equipment is required, and access to the vehicle or the EDR is needed. In addition to the vehicle manufacturer, other parties, such as law enforcement, that have the special equipment, can read the information if they have access to the vehicle or the EDR. (b) The owner's manual may include additional information about the form, function, and capabilities of the EDR, in supplement to the required statement in § 563.11(a). § 563.12 Data retrieval tools. Each manufacturer of a motor vehicle equipped with an EDR shall ensure by licensing agreement or other means that a tool(s) is commercially available that is capable of accessing and retrieving the data stored in the EDR that are required by this part. The tool(s) shall be commercially available not later than 90 days after the first sale of the motor vehicle for purposes other than resale.

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