Several states require that a vehicle pass on-board diagnostic (OBD) system tests and the I/M emission inspection in order to renew license plates. This is accomplished by viewing the I/M System Status display on a scan tool. Using a scan tool, the technician can observe the I/M System Status in order to verify that the vehicle meets the criteria that complies with the local area requirements.

Each system requires at least one, and sometimes several, diagnostic tests. The results of these tests are reported by a diagnostic trouble code (DTC). A system monitor is complete when either all of the DTCs comprising the monitor have Run and Passed, or any one of the DTCs comprising the monitor have illuminated the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL). Once all of the tests are completed, the I/M System Status display will indicate YES in the Completed column. For example, when the heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) Heater Test indicates YES, all of the oxygen sensor heaters have been diagnosed. If the vehicle has four heated oxygen sensors, all four heater circuits have been diagnosed. The I/M System Status will indicate NO under the Completed column when any of the required tests for that system have not run. The following is a list of conditions that would set the I/M System Status indicator to NO:

The OBD II System monitors all emission control systems that are on-board. Not all vehicles have a full complement of emission control systems. For example, a vehicle may not be equipped with secondary air injection (AIR) or exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). The OBD II regulations require monitoring of the following:

For the specific DTCs required for each system, refer to Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) System DTC Table . Systems such as fuel delivery, misfire, and comprehensive components may not be listed in a system status list. These tests run continuously on some vehicles and may not require an indicator.

The I/M System Status display provides an indication of when the control module has completed the required tests. This does not necessarily mean that the test has passed, only that a decision was made. If the diagnostic fails, a DTC will indicate the failure. If a failure indication is present for a DTC associated with one of the I/M regulated systems, the failure indication may prevent other required tests from running. For example, a DTC for the control circuit of the relay controlling an AIR pump may not be listed in the Inspection/Maintenance System DTC Table because this is a continuous test. If this DTC is set, the Active Tests for the AIR system may not run.

The I/M System Status information may be useful for a technician to determine if diagnostics have run when verifying repairs.