Leno’s Law to Removes Smog Tests for Classic Cars Passes Assembly Committee
Current smog check requirements hinder classic car owners
By Evan Symon, July 17, 2025 1:38 pm
A bill to remove all smog check requirements for cars 35 years and older was passed unanimously by the Assembly Transportation Committee this week, with the next hurdle being the challenging Assembly Appropriations Committee.
Senate Bill 712, authored by Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield), would specifically exempt a collector motor vehicle from the smog check requirement if the vehicle is at least 35 model years old. However, concern over the environmental impact of SB 712, also known as “Leno’s Law,” brought forth several amendments to the bill. These included mandating classic car insurance instead of just insuring the vehicle as a collector motor vehicle and requiring historical license plates.
In addition to Grove’s backing, SB 712 received celebrity support from former talk show host and classic car enthusiast Jay Leno, giving the bill more clout. Both are pushing for the bill because current smog check requirements hinder classic car owners, and the strict regulations force many owners to look outside of California to more classic car friendly states. Currently there is only a partial smog check ban in place for cars made before 1976, which limits how much Californians can drive some cars. According to the bill, there is a severe shortage of smog test equipment that can test older vehicles as well, with owners of cars built before year 2000 struggling to find appropriate shops. In addition, the aftermarket parts industry has struggled in California in recent years, with much of their business going toward making and supplying parts for older cars.
Wanting to stop classic car owners from leaving the state, keep California’s reputation as a classic car state, and help keep the huge aftermarket parts industry worth billions, Grove brought SB 712 to the Senate earlier this year. While the bill sailed through Senate Committees with minimal opposition, concerns over the bill in the Senate resulted in several amendments, including the addition of mandating classic car insurance and historical license plates. This action erased most opposition to SB 712, passing last month.
Moving On Up
There was some concern heading into the Assembly that the amendments still didn’t go far enough, and that more would have to be tacked on over environmental concerns. However, those concerns were assuaged this week when the Assembly Transportation Committee voted 14-0 to pass the bill, signaling that the Senate amendments were enough.
“For over two decades, classic car enthusiasts have worked alongside legislators to try and expand the number of classic vehicles eligible for a full smog check exemption, but every effort has stalled before making it through the legislature,” said Senator Grove earlier this week. “If Leno’s Law is passed and signed, even if it is not exactly what we originally wanted, it provides 10 additional vehicle model years and is a step towards protecting classic cars as a part of our history.
“I will continue to amplify the voices of collectors who simply want to enjoy restoring and driving their vehicles on special occasions, ensuring it’s a reasonable process to preserve California’s iconic automotive heritage. In California, change usually happens slowly, and this bill is real progress toward protecting classic cars as part of our history.”
SB 712 only has a few major votes left this year, with the Assembly Appropriations Committee vote and the full Assembly vote the only ones left needed to pass before reaching the desk of Governor Gavin Newsom.
- Bill to Require Law Enforcement Disclosure if AI Was Used To Help Write Reports - August 7, 2025
- Gov. Newsom Files FOIA Request To ‘Expose True Cost’ Of L.A. Federal Troop Deployment for Anti-ICE Riots - August 6, 2025
- California Redistricting: How Newsom’s Plan Will Demolish Hard Fought GOP Gains - August 6, 2025
Since I moved out of state, I realized why we saw so few classics still on the road in California. Of course its California regulations keeping people from doing anything fun. I should have known……I see all kinds of classic cars now. Good cars that still run wouldn’t be allowed in California.
Classic plates and collector insurance are the poison pills in this bill. This works for Jay Leno (who I admire) BUT he has 181 cars and 160 motorcycles. Having extremely low annual mileage limits is not a hardship for him unlike people who drive older cars for transpiration. Now they may have to buy new cars to replace their old but well maintained cars.
Does this mean vehicle owners who own vintage cars that still are registered with their born-with original Black Plates from the 1960s will no longer have the Black plates assigned to their cars? But instead will need to replace them with new “Historical Plates “? If true, that’s a Major Deal Breaker! Very surprised Jay Leno would endorse this then.
The addition of the insurance and plates significantly diminishes the impact of the bill. Those create restrictions on mileage. Classic cars are 1% or less of the total vehicle population and these people are worried about environmental impact.
This bill has turned into a joke by the requirement for ultra restrictive California Historic Vehicle plates.
“Vehicles assigned Horseless Carriage or Historical Vehicle License Plates are limited to operation or movement over the highway primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition or other similar, noncommercial purposes, such as parades or historic vehicle club activities”
In other words, you are not allowed to drive your classic car. This is another example of the Democrats trying to control every aspect of your life.
The bill is a joke now. Shannon Grove has caved so far, that now historical tags and classic car insurance are required, and by 2027, it would just help cars from 1976-1980. Don’t go after Jay Leno on this, he just lent his name to help out. It’s pretty clear at this point Grove is just using this bill for publicity. If she had any backbone, she’d pull the bill after it’s been shredded this badly.
Overall the state is run by imbeciles. You have a dwindling fleet of 1976-1995 cars that require BAR-97 test equipment, that is becoming few and far between. Asking owners to drag out their almost half-century old car to drive hours and pay hundreds to have them smogged, is the symbol of how these leftists have turned California into just an unpleasant place to live.
No one’s forcing you to stay, champ.
No one asked your for you uninformed opinion about staying…champ.
Your EV will be in the crusher in 10 years…champ.
I have been a smog technician for 45 years. I probably do 4 cars a day on the 2000 and newer vehicles. I probably only see 3-4 a month on the 75-90 platform they are talking about exempting. the restrictions on historical plates and special ins is their way of controlling the market and making us pay for something that is totally unnecessary .
EV Enthusiast,? How about Dumb Ass Enthusiast. Its California Government once again trying to tell us what we can or cannot Drive. You need to wake up Dude! People are leaving in Droves because of Bullshit like this. Its clowns like you that are ruining this State. Champ!
I think they should eliminate smog certifications on vehicles sold before 2000. It’s ridiculous to have cars smogged 25 years old pass smog certifications.. This is beyond classic cars, but this is still within the realm of being a ridiculous law..
What self respecting gear head who intentionally drives a classic has a working odometer? 2000 miles a year seems like a non-issue.