‘Leno’s Law’ Is Official: California Governor Gavin Newsom Signs Classic Car Smog Exemption Into LawRoad & TrackEmmet WhiteWed, September 16, 2026 at 6:03 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleCA Governor Approves Classic Car Smog ExemptionOffice of Governor Gavin NewsomCalifornia governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 1392, colloquially known as Leno's Law, into law on Wednesday, phasing in new smog check exemptions for qualifying collector cars built between 1976 and 1985. And appropriately enough, the governor signed it at Jay Leno's very own garage in the presence of the comedy and automotive icon.The passage means that, after a years-long campaign from Golden State car enthusiasts and bipartisan support from Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) and Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield), classic car owners in California can relax a little. Beginning January 1, 2028, officially registered collector vehicles manufactured before the 1981 model year will be exempt from obtaining a certificate of compliance with California's smog regulations. This exemption will be extended by one model year each year until January 1, 2033, when vehicles manufactured before the 1986 model year will be exempt.Office of Governor Gavin Newsom"These bills protect a treasured part of California culture, giving car owners a way to preserve these pieces of history for generations to come. The Golden State is made for classic-car lovers, and our lowriders are timeless masterpieces that connect art, activism, and cultural identity throughout our state," Governor Newsom said.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe road to passing this legislation was not straightforward. Former Tonight Show host and prominent car enthusiast Jay Leno threw his weight behind Senate Bill 712—the original version of the smog exemption bill—in 2025, but it didn't go far. Senate Bill 712 was quietly killed in the California Senate Appropriations Committee later in 2025. Then, on February 20, 2026, Senator Cortese and Senator Grove introduced Senate Bill 1392, reworking the emissions testing exemption legislation to allegedly appease stakeholders at the California Department of Motor Vehicles.Car enthusiasts in California have widely praised the legislation, citing costs upwards of $200 and wait times as long as eight months to get vintage vehicles emissions certified. Even executive members of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile lobbied for its passage. Leno praised Governor Newsom in a statement on Wednesday for sticking with California's classic car community.With the signing of SB 1392 and AB 2541, I'm proud to stand with Californians celebrating the culture, expression, and freedom that cruising represents. pic.twitter.com/iH2JmKvV5o— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) September 16, 2026"The governor stuck with this legislation through the last couple of years to preserve California's classic car heritage, and that's rare," said Jay Leno. "The car community has been waiting on this for a long time, and they notice when someone follows through. Thank you, Governor."Governor Newsom's office balanced classic car appreciation with environmental concerns when announcing the legislation. Collector car insurance or driving fewer than 1000 miles per calendar year are requirements for the smog exemption, and the Governor's office noted that the number of vehicles that qualify represents "a very small share of California's overall fleet."AdvertisementAdvertisementThe governor also signed Assembly Bill 2541, which creates a specialty license plate honoring California's lowrider heritage, and Senate Bill 1069, which establishes a framework to expedite the review process for manufacturers seeking state approval for the sale of aftermarket parts.You Might Also LikeIf You Can Only Own One Car, Make It One of TheseThese Are the Most Popular Cars by State