Governor Gavin Newsom signed new legislation this past Wednesday at Jay Leno’s garage in Burbank, expanding California's smog-check exemptions for specific classic cars. This move, which supporters say helps preserve the state's classic car heritage, marks a significant shift for owners of vehicles from the late 1970s and early 1980s.
The centerpiece of the signings was Senate Bill 1392, or “Leno’s Law,” which creates a phased-in exemption from smog checks for qualifying collector vehicles spanning model years 1976 through 1985. Currently, only vehicles made before the 1976 model year are exempt from regular smog checks. Under the new law, collector vehicles from model years 1976 through 1980 will become exempt starting January 1, 2028. Following this, one additional model year will be added to the exemption annually, with vehicles from the 1985 model year becoming eligible in 2033.
To qualify for this new exemption, vehicles must either be insured specifically as collector vehicles or driven fewer than 1,000 miles per year. State Senator Dave Cortese, a Democrat from San Jose, and State Senator Shannon Grove, a Republican from Bakersfield, jointly authored the measure. Comedian and noted car collector Jay Leno, who owns an extensive collection of classic and unusual vehicles, was a vocal supporter and present at the signing.
Leno expressed gratitude for the Governor's persistence, noting that the "car community has been waiting on this for a long time" and appreciates follow-through on such legislation. His advocacy for these changes has been ongoing; an earlier, broader proposal he backed, which would have created a rolling smog-check exemption for collector vehicles at least 35 years old, did not pass. Lawmakers then returned with the more focused measure now signed into law.
Supporters of the legislation argue that classic and collectible vehicles generally see less road time than everyday vehicles. They contend that these vehicles, driven infrequently, contribute a relatively small portion to overall emissions, making the expanded exemption a reasonable adjustment to existing regulations.
In addition to the classic car exemption, Governor Newsom also signed Assembly Bill 2541, which will establish a specialized California lowrider license plate program. These new plates will feature a lowrider-themed design, with the proceeds from their sale designated to support youth engagement and various arts and cultural programs across the state, according to information released by the governor’s office.
A third piece of legislation, Senate Bill 1069, was also signed. This bill aims to streamline the state’s review process for aftermarket vehicle parts. It will allow manufacturers to submit emissions-testing data from independent laboratories, provided these labs meet specified requirements, thereby potentially speeding up the approval process for new automotive components.
Governor Newsom commented on the collection of bills, stating that they serve to "protect a treasured part of California culture." He added that the measures give car owners a way to preserve these "pieces of history for generations to come," specifically highlighting lowriders as "timeless masterpieces that connect art, activism, and cultural identity throughout our state."
