X12 transaction guide · Government and regulatory
EDI 285 Commercial Vehicle Safety and Credentials Information Exchange
The X12 document enforcement officials and authorized parties use to request information on carriers' safety, compliance and credentials.
- Sent by
- Enforcement official or authorized party
- Received by
- Government information system
- Standard
- ANSI ASC X12
What is an EDI 285?
The EDI 285 Commercial Vehicle Safety and Credentials Information Exchange is the ANSI X12 transaction set enforcement officials, government administrators and other authorized parties can use to request information on the safety performance, regulatory compliance and credentials of commercial vehicle carriers, vehicles and drivers.
At weigh stations and roadside checks, officials need to know quickly whether a carrier is authorized, registered and in good safety standing. Electronic queries return that information while the vehicle is stopped, helping officials focus inspections on high-risk carriers.
How to read this diagram: the top row shows who sends the 285, to whom, and which documents usually come before and after it. The lower part shows what X12 release 008010 itself requires: the envelopes around the 285 and the segments and loops the standard marks as required, area by area. Optional loops are listed by the segment that starts them rather than drawn in full. This is the standard's minimum, not a trading partner's requirement: each partner's implementation guide usually makes some optional loops mandatory, restricts the codes and may use a different release.
When it is used
- Checking a carrier's safety rating at roadside
- Verifying vehicle registration and credentials
- Screening vehicles at weigh stations
Where it fits in the document flow
Structure
Mandatory segments in the 285 (X12 release 008010)
The segments X12 release 008010 marks as mandatory at their level, in order. Segments inside optional loops are needed only when the loop is used. This is the standard's requirement, not your trading partner's: each partner's implementation guide names the release it uses, adds the optional segments it requires and restricts the values. The requirement status comes from one published X12 reference listing and has not been checked against a second source.
- ST
- BGN
- NX1
- N9
- LM
- LQ
- NM1
- TC2
- N4
- SE
Practical example
The 285 in practice
A truck arrives at a weigh station. The officer queries the carrier's identifier and the truck's registration, and the system returns the carrier's operating authority, safety record and credential status. Because the carrier's record shows a high violation rate, the officer selects the truck for inspection.
Implementation
Implementation considerations for the 285
- Restrict access to authorized officials.
- Return results fast enough for roadside use.
- Use official carrier and vehicle identifiers.
- Follow the regulator's current data systems.
How ECOM helps
Automate the 285 with ECOM
Industry
Trucking and Transportation
Load tenders, responses, status and freight invoices for carriers, brokers and shippers, integrated with the TMS.
Solution
EDI Integration
Exchange X12 and EDIFACT documents with partners and integrate them directly with your ERP.
Solution
Supply Chain Visibility
Track orders, shipments and invoices across partners and catch exceptions early.
More general questions about EDI are answered in the EDI FAQ.
Related transactions
Related government and regulatory documents
Need help with the EDI 285?
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