ISO 11898-1:2015 specifies the characteristics of setting up an interchange of digital information between modules implementing the CAN data link layer. Controller area network is a serial communication protocol, which supports distributed real-time control and multiplexing for use within road vehicles and other control applications.

ISO 11898-1:2015 specifies the Classical CAN frame format and the newly introduced CAN Flexible Data Rate Frame format. The Classical CAN frame format allows bit rates up to 1 Mbit/s and payloads up to 8 byte per frame. The Flexible Data Rate frame format allows bit rates higher than 1 Mbit/s and payloads longer than 8 byte per frame.

ISO 11898-1:2015 describes the general architecture of CAN in terms of hierarchical layers according to the ISO reference model for open systems interconnection (OSI) according to ISO/IEC 7498‑1. The CAN data link layer is specified according to ISO/IEC 8802‑2 and ISO/IEC 8802‑3.

ISO 11898-1:2015 contains detailed specifications of the following: logical link control sub-layer; medium access control sub-layer; and physical coding sub-layer.

There are three implementation options. They are the following: support of the Classical CAN frame format only, not tolerating the Flexible Data Rate frame format; support of the Classical CAN frame format and tolerating the Flexible Data Rate frame format; and support of the Classical CAN frame format and the Flexible Data Rate frame format.

The last option is recommended to be implemented for new designs.