What happens if a vehicle receives a "not ready" status during an emissions test?

When a vehicle receives a "not ready" status during an emissions test, it indicates that the vehicle's onboard diagnostic (OBD) system has not completed all necessary readiness monitors. These monitors help ensure that various emissions-related components are functioning correctly.

For a vehicle to pass the emissions test, all monitors must be set to a "ready" status, indicating that the vehicle has gone through the appropriate driving cycles to verify the performance of emissions systems. If the status is "not ready," it means that the OBD system has not had the chance to confirm that all emissions systems are operating as required.

In this situation, the vehicle will need further driving or testing. The driver typically must operate the vehicle under specific conditions to allow the OBD system to conduct self-tests of emissions components and reset the monitors to a "ready" status. This driving is often referred to as completing a drive cycle, which involves a combination of acceleration, deceleration, and steady cruising. Until sufficient operation occurs to complete the monitors, the vehicle will not pass the emissions test, emphasizing the need for additional driving or testing.