Automotive
California classic car owners just scored a long-awaited change to the state’s emissions rules, but anyone expecting an immediate free pass from smog checks will need to temper that excitement. Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 1392, better known among enthusiasts as “Leno’s Law,” creating a new path to smog-check exemptions for certain collector vehicles from the 1976 through 1985 model years. The law, which has been championed by Jay Leno and automotive enthusiast groups, is aimed at cars that are preserved and driven sparingly rather than used as everyday transportation.
The biggest thing owners need to understand is that the exemption will not suddenly apply to every 1970s or 1980s car in California. A qualifying vehicle must be at least 35 model years old and primarily used for activities such as shows, parades, charitable events and historical exhibitions. It also cannot serve as the owner’s primary transportation. Owners will need either collector-vehicle insurance or documentation showing the vehicle travels fewer than 1,000 miles per calendar year.
There are also emissions-related strings attached. Leno’s Law does not simply allow qualifying classics to become unrestricted polluters. Vehicles still have to meet the exhaust-emissions standards applicable to their original class and model year, while also passing a fuel-cap functional inspection and a visual check for liquid fuel leaks. In other words, California is easing the recurring testing burden for certain collector cars, but owners are still expected to maintain them in a condition consistent with their original emissions requirements.
The exemption is being phased in rather than opening all at once. Beginning in 2028, the oldest eligible vehicles will start entering the program, with later model years gradually added until cars built before the 1986 model year are included under the final phase. That distinction matters because simply reaching 35 years of age will not automatically make every future classic eligible. The program has a defined ceiling, meaning many enthusiast cars from the later 1980s and beyond will remain subject to California’s regular smog requirements unless lawmakers change the rules again.
That makes Leno’s Law meaningful, but far from the sweeping classic-car exemption some enthusiasts have wanted for years. California already exempts 1975 and older vehicles from its regular smog-check program, and SB 1392 essentially creates a tightly controlled bridge for a limited group of newer collector cars. The less-than-1,000-mile option is particularly notable because it gives owners another route to eligibility if traditional collector-car insurance is impractical. For hobbyists with garage-kept weekend cars that rarely leave the neighborhood except for shows or an occasional Sunday drive, that could make a real difference.
For California’s enormous enthusiast community, this feels less like the end of a fight and more like the first meaningful movement in decades. The governor’s office characterizes SB 1392 as a narrowly tailored exemption intended to preserve automotive history while keeping the state’s emissions goals intact, and that description fits the law pretty well. According to the California governor’s office and coverage from SEMA, the legislation followed years of attempts to create relief for collector vehicles. It will not help every owner, and nobody gets an exemption tomorrow, but starting in 2028, a slice of California’s classic-car community will finally have a little more breathing room to keep historically significant cars registered and on the road.
Lloyd Tobias is a seasoned automotive journalist and passionate enthusiast with over 15 years of experience immersed in the world of cars. Whether it’s exploring the latest advancements in automotive technology or keeping a close pulse on breaking industry news, Lloyd brings a sharp perspective and a deep appreciation for all things automotive. His writing blends technical insight with real-world enthusiasm, making his contributions both informative and engaging for readers who share his love for the drive. When he’s not behind the keyboard or under the hood, Lloyd enjoys test driving the newest models and staying ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving automotive landscape.
