California’s ‘Leno’s Law’ Moves Forward, Bringing Hope to Classic Car Owners

Classic car enthusiasts in California have long struggled with the state’s strict smog check program, which currently only exempts vehicles from 1975 or earlier. But a new push in Sacramento is gaining traction. Senate Bill 1392, nicknamed “Leno’s Law” after comedian and car collector Jay Leno, has passed the California Senate and cleared the Assembly Appropriations Committee, according to Hagerty.

This is the fourth attempt in a decade to relax emissions testing for older vehicles, with earlier bills failing in 2016, 2022, and last year.

The bill, co-authored by Senators Shannon Grove and Dave Cortese, was rewritten to focus on the vehicle rather than the owner. It now heads to the full Assembly floor with backing from the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA). If signed into law, it would immediately exempt qualifying collector cars built before 1981, then gradually expand the cutoff each year starting January 1, 2028, until the 1986 model year is covered by 2032.

To qualify, a vehicle must be at least 35 model years old, and owners must either show proof of collector car insurance or have the DMV verify the car is driven fewer than 1,000 miles per year. The bill hasn’t reached Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk yet, but its progress marks a significant step for preserving California’s car culture.