Classic car owners in California are celebrating a major legislative victory after Governor Gavin Newsom visited Jay Leno's Garage to officially sign State Bill 1392 into law. Widely known as Leno's Law due to heavy backing from the famous comedian and car collector, the legislation brings the most significant update to the state's classic vehicle definition in decades.
"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 following the signing event. "The car community has been waiting on this for a long time, and they notice when someone follows through."
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SubscribePreviously, only vehicles built before 1976 enjoyed exemptions from strict state smog checks and emissions regulations. Under the new law, smog check exemptions will phase in for vehicles up to the 1985 model year, providing vital relief for owners of aging automotive classics that are increasingly difficult to maintain with original factory emissions equipment.
However, the newly established exemption comes with specific caveats to protect air quality standards. Vehicles benefiting from the rule must be insured specifically as collector cars, meaning they cannot serve as an owner's primary daily driver, or they must be driven fewer than 1,000 miles per year.
New Legislation Celebrates State Automotive Culture
Alongside State Bill 1392, Governor Newsom signed complementary legislation aimed at honoring California's diverse automotive history. Assembly Bill 2541 was approved to introduce a specialized license plate celebrating the state's rich lowrider culture, providing further recognition after decades of restrictive local cruising bans.
"California can protect clean air while also recognizing the historic and cultural value of collector vehicles," stated Senator David Cortese, the co-author of the bill. "SB 1392 establishes a carefully limited exemption for cars that are preserved, driven sparingly, and maintained as part of California's automotive heritage."
A third measure, State Bill 1069, was also signed at the event to streamline the approval process for aftermarket parts manufacturers seeking legal compliance exemptions. This change aims to ease regulatory hurdles for companies producing replacement components for vintage and classic vehicles.
Marking the third legislative attempt to modernize classic vehicle registration in the state, the package represents a notable shift toward accommodating automotive enthusiasts. While pre-1976 vehicles retain broader modifications rights, Leno's Law ensures that 1980s icons can remain safely and legally registered on California roads.