Document Introduction

Document Purpose

Motor Vehicle Agencies (MVAs) in the U.S. are required to use some of the D20 elements in their computer systems, to remain in compliance with various U.S. Department of Transportation rules. Other organizations who communicate with MVAs are encouraged to adopt the D20 data definitions to reduce the number of data transformations needed.

This data dictionary presents a common set of coding instructions for data elements which are part of the D20 standard for Traffic Records Systems. The focus being on data elements related to highway safety, driver licensing, and vehicle registration.

This document is available in the public domain and may be used by anyone who wishes to use the D20 data definitions.

The document is presented to allow the reader to:

• Discover the data elements in an object of the D20 data model.
• Look-up a standard element definitions, already defined in D20.
• Provide information to allow a user to request an update to D20: for a new element or a change to an element.

Implementation Data Types

The primary purpose of this dictionary is to describe business data elements. While the high level business definitions of elements are mostly the same across different implementations, there are differences in the descriptions of elements at the physical implementation level in how the data is formatted.

D20 has traditionally been presented with the data types for the AMIE protocol. While AMIE is still used, a growing number of data exchanges use web-services with JSON data types. So AAMVA now publishes editions of D20 that support the AMIE and JSON definitions. This edition presents the JSON definitions used in REST web-service exchanges.

AAMVA

The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) is a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization developing model programs in motor vehicle administration, law enforcement, and highway safety. The association also serves as an information clearinghouse in these areas and acts as the international spokesperson for these interests.

Founded in 1933, AAMVA represents the state, provincial, and territorial officials in the United States and Canada who administer and enforce motor vehicle laws. AAMVA’s programs encourage uniformity and reciprocity among the states and provinces. The association also serves as a liaison with other levels of government and the private sector. Its development and research activities provide guidelines for more effective public service. AAMVA’s membership includes associations, organizations, and businesses that share an interest in the association’s goals.

AAMVA maintains and publishes the D20 data dictionary, to promote uniform data definitions.