1. (a) OBD-II equipped vehicles shall fail the OBD-II inspection if any one of the following conditions occurs as applicable to the vehicle:

   1. (1) The vehicle's MIL does not illuminate when the ignition is on and the engine is off;
   2. (2) The vehicle's MIL illuminates continuously or flashes with the engine running;
   3. (3) The vehicle's OBD system reports the MIL as commanded on;
   4. (4) The vehicle's OBD system reports a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC);
   5. (5) The vehicle's OBD system data indicates the system has not yet been sufficiently operated to determine the presence or absence of a DTC;
   6. (6) The vehicle's OBD system does not communicate with the EIS or OIS;
   7. (7) The vehicle's OBD system data is inappropriate for the vehicle being tested;
   8. (8) The vehicle's OBD system data does not match the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or an Air Resources Board (ARB) exempted OBD software configuration;
   9. (9) The vehicle's OBD-II system reports not-complete readiness status for gasoline-powered vehicles model-years 1996 and newer and diesel-powered vehicles model-years 1998 and newer.

2. (b) For the purposes of this section:

   1. (1) On-Board Diagnostics-II (OBD-II) means a system of vehicle component and condition monitors controlled by an on-board computer designed to alert the motorist when emission control components or vehicle emission systems are not functioning properly.
   2. (2) Readiness monitor(s) are a status indicator reported by the OBD-II system that indicates whether or not monitors of specific emission control devices or systems have run a self-diagnostic test.
   3. (3) Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) is an alphanumeric code which is set in a vehicle's on-board computer when the OBD-II system detects an emission control device or system failure.
   4. (4) Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) is illuminated on the dashboard when the OBD-II system has detected an emission control device or system failure. Alternatives may include a “Service Engine Soon” or “Check Engine” message, or an unlabeled picture of an engine.

Note: Authority cited: Sections 44001.5, 44002, 44003, 44013 and 44036, Health and Safety Code; and Section 9882, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 39032.5, 44002, 44003, 44005, 44010, 44011, 44013, 44014, 44015, 44032, 44033, 44036, 44037.1 and 44062.1, Health and Safety Code; and Sections 9884.8 and 9884.9, Business and Professions Code.

History

1. New section filed 11-5-2009; operative 12-5-2009 (Register 2009, No. 45).

2. Amendment of section heading and section filed 5-2-2013; operative 7-1-2013 (Register 2013, No. 18).

3. Amendment filed 7-9-2025; operative 10-1-2025 (Register 2025, No. 28).