California Finally Eases Smog Rules For Classic Cars Thanks To 'Leno's Law'

California gets a bad rap from car enthusiasts, but the state actually has one of the biggest and most vibrant enthusiast and collector-car scenes in the entire country. And for a handful of those collectors, owning and maintaining their cars just got a little bit easier.

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed California Senate Bill 1392 into law. You might know the bill by its other name: Leno’s Law. It’s certainly good news for some car enthusiasts, but don’t get too excited just yet.

What Cars Are Exempt Under Leno’s Law?

Starting in January 2028, pre-1981 model-year vehicles will become exempt from California’s smog-check requirements. But there are a few catches. To qualify, a vehicle must either be registered as a collector car or driven fewer than 1,000 miles per year.

The exemption then expands by one model year each year, continuing through 2033. At that point, vehicles built before 1986 will qualify for the smog exemption.

Supporters of the bill say it’s a big day for California’s car culture. SEMA CEO Mike Spagnola called it "a historic win for California’s automotive community and for every family, enthusiast, and small business working to keep this culture alive." He notes:

'Leno’s Law shows that California can protect clean air while also showing the appropriate reverence for the vehicles that connect generations and tell an important part of our state’s story. We are grateful to Senators Cortese and Grove, Jay Leno, our member companies, and the thousands of advocates whose energy fueled this effort with an unrelenting passion for our shared automotive heritage.'

And to a degree, it certainly is. But it’s worth pumping the brakes on the celebration a little.

The Average Car Enthusiast Doesn’t Qualify

So who actually benefits from Leno’s Law?

Anyone with a pre-1976 classic car already has a smog exemption, which is great news for those of us with older cars. The same goes for anyone with a pre-1998 diesel-powered vehicle.

But if you have an older car that isn’t properly registered as a collector vehicle, or you simply enjoy putting a lot of miles on your classic, you won’t be able to take advantage of SB 1392.

Sure, a more comprehensive rolling exemption could have been a much bigger victory for California enthusiasts. But a bill like that probably would have had a much harder time making it through the legislature in the first place.

So while Leno’s Law isn’t quite the sweeping victory some enthusiasts might have hoped for, it’s still a meaningful win for those who own a qualifying vehicle.