The AAMVA
Conviction/Withdrawal
Code Dictionary (ACD)The ACD Codes — A Key Component to Understanding Driving Records
When viewing state MVRs one can readily see that each state has unique conviction reporting language and codes inherent to their motor vehicle statutes and specific violation language. State must communicate with one another and with the National Driver Register (NDR) regarding commercial drivers, problem drivers, and out-of state actions, although to varying extent. The question is—how do states know what the conviction codes from other states mean and how do they translate this information into their own language and code set?
The answer is the states utilize the AAMVA Code Dictionary (ACD) as a translation table. In practice, the ACD Code System is used to exchange conviction and withdrawal information between the states' driver licensing authorities. But many states have adopted some or all of the codes into their own code system. Thus many states show ACD Codes on their driving records. So, knowing what a specific ACD Code means can be a helpful indication of what a state's lingo for an MVR conviction or action means.
The primary function of the ACD Codes is to enable to the Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS) to exchange convictions and withdrawals. Other applications use the codes, such as the Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS), knowing that the ACD Codes are defined for CDLIS.
The code table has changed on several occasions over the past few years. In 1997, a few corrections and additions were made to the code set. Then in 2002 more codes were added and revised to support the federal regulations on Railroad Grade Crossings.
On October 1, 2005, a very significant change took place when 45% of the 393 individual ACD Codes were modified or deleted. The revised code-set restricted the ACD Codes to code classification for only for traffic safety violations and issues that are federally mandated. Thus, the revised code-set includes the changes for the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act (MCSIA) of 1999, and the Driver License Agreement (DLA). MCSIA mandates the offenses and
disqualification periods for commercial drivers and identifies the ACD Codes to be used for these offenses.
ACD Codes Affect Today’s Driving Records
As mentioned previously, many states have incorporated the ACD Codes within their own conviction and action tables. Some states, such as Alaska, have converted their conviction table to the ACD Code system. Many states use the ACD to indicate out-of-state convictions. And a number of states show on the driving record the ACD Code along with their inherent state code or conviction language.
When the revised ACD Code-set took affect October 2005, the states did not necessarily modify the codes of convictions and actions occurring prior to that date. In other words, old ACD Codes may still show on some driving records. Some jurisdictions changed the codes in their proprietary databases and others kept many of the old codes in their legacy state systems. Therefore, the ACD Code Table shows the changes that went into effective October 2005. The codes modified or removed are indicated in the “Action” column.
The Revised ACD Code Set Implementation Guide, Version 2.1.1 dated July, 2005, the last date of issuance. The ACD is copyrighted by AAMVA—The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators.
[Note to Web Bowsers - The ACD Code Table is produced, with the permission of AAMVA, in The MVR Decoder Digest and is also within in the electronic subscription version.]
AAMVA Conviction/Withdrawal Code Dictionary, © AAMVA, Inc.
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