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An event data recorder (EDR) is a device or function in a vehicle that records technical vehicle data shortly before or during a crash so the data can be retrieved afterward. In the U.S. regulatory definition, EDR data does not include audio or video. The informal term “black box” is sometimes used for an EDR, but it should not be mistaken for a dashcam or a complete recording of a trip.

What an event data recorder does

An EDR captures a limited set of vehicle information around a crash event. NHTSA describes the recording period as brief—measured in seconds rather than minutes. The purpose is to preserve technical signals that can help investigators and researchers understand the event and evaluate how vehicle safety systems performed.

The U.S. regulatory definition in 49 CFR § 563.5 describes an EDR as a device or function that records vehicle dynamic time-series data just before or during a crash, intended for retrieval afterward. Examples include vehicle speed over time and change in velocity (delta-V) over time. The definition expressly excludes audio and video data.

What data an EDR may record

The particular data available varies by vehicle and applicable requirements. NHTSA identifies these as possible categories, not a guarantee that every EDR records every item:

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  • Pre-crash vehicle dynamics and system status: for example, vehicle motion and the status of relevant vehicle systems.
  • Driver inputs: information about inputs made to the vehicle before or during the event.
  • Crash signature: technical measurements that describe aspects of the crash, such as change in velocity over time.
  • Restraint information: seat-belt use and whether restraint systems deployed.
  • Post-crash information: in some cases, whether an automatic collision notification system activated.

These signals can help establish aspects of vehicle behavior and safety-system operation. They are not, by themselves, a complete account of what a driver saw, intended, or did, nor do they independently determine legal responsibility.

EDR vs. dashcam vs. telematics

System Main purpose Typical data Recording pattern and access
Event data recorder Preserve technical information associated with a crash Vehicle signals, driver inputs, crash measurements, restraint status, and potentially other event-related information Brief event-centered recording retrieved using a vehicle-compatible tool or method
Dashcam Record what a camera sees Video, and sometimes audio depending on the device Usually ongoing or loop recording, typically viewed through the camera or its storage
Fleet telematics or hours-of-service system Monitor routine vehicle operations or operator activity Trip, location, vehicle, or hours-of-service records, depending on the system Often ongoing logging accessed through fleet software; it is not an EDR merely because it records vehicle-related information

The distinction is purpose and data type: an EDR is centered on technical vehicle data around a crash, while a dashcam records images and a telematics system generally logs operations over time. A car may have more than one of these systems.

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How EDRs are regulated in the United States

49 CFR Part 563 sets uniform requirements for the collection, storage, and retrievability of crash-event data in vehicles equipped with EDRs. It also requires manufacturers to make commercially available tools and/or methods for retrieving EDR data for crash investigators and researchers. This is a framework for EDR-equipped vehicles; it should not be read as a requirement that every vehicle have an EDR.

NHTSA’s December 18, 2024 final rule changed the pre-crash capture requirement from 5 seconds at 2 Hz to 20 seconds at 10 Hz, according to a U.S. Department of Transportation summary. The same summary describes a 2025 proposal to move the compliance date from September 1, 2027 to September 1, 2028. Because that date change is described as a proposal, it should not be treated as a final compliance date without confirmation of later agency action.

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Can you retrieve data from a car’s EDR?

EDR data can be retrieved, but access is not necessarily as simple as connecting a consumer device or opening an app. Retrieval may require a tool or method compatible with the particular vehicle. The regulation’s requirement for commercially available retrieval tools or methods does not establish that every tool works with every make, model, or model year, or that every owner can access the data without assistance.

For a specific vehicle, consult its owner information or contact the manufacturer, a qualified crash investigator, or another professional with suitable retrieval equipment. If the vehicle was involved in a collision or legal matter, preserve it and seek appropriate professional advice before attempting any work that could alter or complicate access to the data.

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What EDR data can—and cannot—tell you

NHTSA identifies crash investigation, analysis of safety-system performance, and improvements to motor-vehicle safety as uses of EDR data. Recorded signals can help explain vehicle dynamics and whether restraints operated, but the EDR is not a narrative recorder. Its limited technical measurements must be interpreted in context and alongside other evidence; they do not record a driver’s thoughts or provide a standalone verdict about fault.

NHTSA has also published a historical estimate that more than 90 percent of new light vehicles had EDRs “in some form.” That figure comes from a report indicating June 2020 and is not a current market estimate.

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