California Motor Vehicle Service Information Program

This page last reviewed January 29, 2015


Background:

The On-Board Diagnostic (OBD II) systems incorporated into 1996 and later vehicles monitor the performance of virtually every component and system that can affect emissions. The OBD II system alerts the vehicle operator of the occurrence of an emission-related malfunction, and stores diagnostic information in the on-board computer for later retrieval and use by a service technician. Yet because emission levels are not reduced until the vehicle is successfully repaired, it is critical that service technicians have access to the information and diagnostic tools necessary to effectively utilize OBD II system information, and to carry out necessary repair work for identified problems. This is especially true for independent service providers, who have been estimated to perform up to 80 percent of all automotive repairs. Additionally, such information is used to develop replacement, add-on, and modified parts that are compatible with today's sophisticated emission control systems.

To address this issue, Governor Gray Davis signed Senate Bill (SB) 1146 into law on September 30, 2000. The bill directs the ARB to adopt regulations no later than December 31, 2001, that require automobile manufacturers to make available all emission-related information about their vehicles, including service manuals, technical service bulletins, OBD II descriptions, and diagnostic tools. The majority of this information must be made available for download from the Internet.

Below are links to further information regarding the California Motor Vehicle Service Information Rulemaking (CMVSIR), including the latest regulations.


CMVSIR Regulations, Rulemaking Information, and Workshops / Meetings:

  • Documents related to SB 1146, including bill text and analyses.

  • Workshop Notice (Mail-out #MSO 2001-04). Invitation to the public and industry to discuss proposed regulations on 4/18/01. (PDF - 191k)

    Written comments regarding draft regulatory proposal (Mail-out #MSO 2001-04).
    • Comments from the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (PDF - 726k)
    • Comments from the California Automotive Task Force (PDF - 414k)
    • Slideshow presentation from the California Automotive Task Force (PDF - 10k)

    • Comments from the Volkswagen of America (PDF - 5k)

    • Comments from the law firm of Kirkland & Ellis (PDF - 952k)
    • Comments from the Equipment and Tool Institute (PDF - 203k)
    • Comments from Mutual Liquid Gas & Equipment Co., Inc (PDF - 106k)
  • Proposed Regulations for the California Motor Vehicle Service Information Rulemaking (Revised July 19, 2001) (Mail-out #MSO 2001-09) (PDF - 149k)

  • Mailout #MSO 2001-11. Availability of Public Hearing Notice, Staff Report, and Attachments for the consideration of regulations for the availability of California Motor Vehicle Service Information (PDF - 81k).

  • Mailout #MSO 2002-02. Notice of Public Availability of Modified Text (15-Day Notice) for the Consideration of Regulations for the Availability of California Motor Vehicle Service Information (PDF -76k).

  • Mailout #MSO 2003-03. Proposed Amendments to the California Motor Vehicle Service Information Rulemaking (PDF - 182K).

  • Mailout #MSO 2003-06. Notice of Public Hearing to Consider Amendments to Regulations for the Availability of California Motor Vehicle Service Information (PDF - 23K).
    • Staff Report: Initial Statement of Reasons (PDF -76k).
    • Attachment: Proposed Regulation Order (PDF -76k).


  • Mailout #MSO 2004-02. Notice of Public Meeting to Review and Discuss Approved Amendments to the Regulation for the Availability of California Motor Vehicle Service Information
    (PDF -9K).

  • Mailout #MSO 2004-03. Notice of Public Availability of Modified Text (15-day notice) for Consideration of Amendments to the Regulation for the Availability of California Motor Vehicle Service Information (PDF -16K). 


  • Mailout #MSO 2004-04. Second Notice of Public Availability of Modified Text (15-day notice) for Consideration of Amendments to the Regulation for the Availability of California Motor Vehicle Service Information (PDF -13K).
  • Mail-Out #MSC 05-01. Workshop Notice: Invitation to the public and industry to discuss the proposed heavy-duty OBD regulation and amendments to the service information regulation. This notice indicates the date (February 16), time, location, and a summary of the issues to be covered during the workshop. Attached to the end of the notice is a request form indicating how to obtain hard copies of the draft proposed OBD regulation, the summary guide of the draft OBD regulation, and the draft proposed amendments to the service information regulation. (PDF - 87K)
    • Draft Proposed Amendments to Service Information Regulation: Draft amendments to the service information regulation, section 1969 of title 13, CCR. (PDF - 124K)

Presentations

  • ARB slide presentation at the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) Show, November 2, 2004 (PowerPoint - 99K) .
  • ARB slide presentation from heavy-duty OBD workshop held on February 16, 2005. This presentation details the ARB's proposed amendments concerning heavy-duty diagnostic tools and related information. (PowerPoint - 44K)

Formal Regulatory Documents

  • Formal Regulatory Documents (6/22/06 Board Hearing). These documents include, but are not limited to, the public hearing notice, staff report, regulations, and 15-day notice(s).
  • Formal Regulatory Documents (1/22/04 and 5/20/04 Board Hearings). These documents include, but are not limited to, the public hearing notice, staff report, regulations, and 15-day notice(s).
  • Formal Regulatory Documents (12/13/01 Board Hearing). These documents include, but are not limited to, the public hearing notice, staff report, regulations, and 15-day notice(s).
Related Links

Contact Information:

If you have any questions, please contact Sidd Futaba at (626) 459-4386.or Tony Martino at (626) 575-6848