What Is Jay Leno’s Law? New California Classic Car Smog Check Rules Explained

California classic car owners could soon have an easier time keeping their vehicles on the road thanks to a new law backed by Jay Leno.

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 1392, officially known as Jay Leno’s Law, during a visit to the comedian and longtime car enthusiast’s famous garage on Wednesday, September 16.

Jay Leno’s Law creates a phased-in smog check exemption for qualifying collector cars from model years 1976 through 1985. To qualify, vehicles must be insured as collector cars or driven fewer than 1,000 miles per year.

“These bills protect a treasured part of California culture, giving car owners a way to preserve these pieces of history for generations to come,” Newsom said shortly after signing the bill. “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.”

However, Leno’s Law doesn’t take effect immediately. Beginning January 1, 2028, qualifying collector cars manufactured before the 1981 model year will become exempt from the state’s smog check requirements.

The exemption will then expand by one model year annually until 2033, when qualifying vehicles through the 1985 model year will be included.

California already exempts vehicles manufactured before the 1976 model year from its smog check requirements.

Leno, who has a massive collection of classic and rare vehicles, has been a big supporter of changing the rules for older collector cars.

“The Governor stuck with this legislation through the last couple of years to preserve California’s classic car heritage, and that’s rare,” the former Tonight Show host, 76, said. “The car community has been waiting on this for a long time, and they notice when someone follows through.”