BURBANK, Calif. (September 16, 2026) – Governor Gavin Newsom today signed Senate Bill 1392 — widely known as “Leno’s Law” — at Jay Leno’s Garage, expanding California’s smog-check exemption for classic and collector vehicles. The law takes effect January 1, 2028.

What the law changes. Under current California law, only vehicles from model year 1975 and earlier are exempt from biennial smog inspections. Leno’s Law extends that exemption on a rolling basis: starting January 1, 2028, vehicles through model year 1980 will qualify, with one additional model year added each year after. By 2033, the exemption will reach vehicles through model year 1985. To qualify, an owner must either carry collector-car insurance on the vehicle or attest that it is driven fewer than 1,000 miles per year.

Why it’s named for Leno. The bill takes its nickname from Jay Leno, the comedian and prominent car collector who personally lobbied lawmakers on its behalf, following an earlier version of the effort, SB 712, that failed to pass in 2025. “It just seemed like a fair bill to do,” Leno said of the legislation, crediting the bill’s authors for seeing it through. Newsom, who signed the bill at Leno’s Burbank garage, credited Leno directly: “Jay presented better arguments, better evidence, that these are not commute cars.”

Who wrote it. SB 1392 was authored by State Sen. Dave Cortese (D–San Jose) and State Sen. Shannon Grove (R–Bakersfield). Supporters argued that classic and collector vehicles are driven rarely enough that they contribute little to statewide emissions compared with daily commuter and commercial vehicles — the population California’s smog program is primarily designed to regulate.

Part of a broader package. Newsom signed two related automotive bills the same day: Assembly Bill 2541, creating a specialized license plate celebrating lowrider culture, and Senate Bill 1069, authored by Sen. Grayson, which expedites the state’s review process for manufacturers seeking certification of aftermarket parts.

What it means for owners. For collectors and enthusiasts, Leno’s Law removes a recurring compliance hurdle for a widening band of pre-1986 vehicles, provided they remain low-mileage, collector-insured cars rather than daily drivers. The phased schedule gives owners of 1976–1985 vehicles a clear timeline for when their cars will no longer need to pass a smog check to remain registered in California.