California lawmakers have significantly amended a bill backed by car enthusiast and television icon Jay Leno, scaling back a proposal that would have granted smog check exemptions to classic cars 35 years and older.
Senate Bill SB 712, dubbed “Leno’s Law” by supporters, initially aimed to remove the biennial smog check requirement for older vehicles. The bill was championed by Leno and car hobbyist groups, who argued that classic cars are rarely driven enough to meaningfully impact air quality and that enthusiasts deserve some regulatory relief.
But environmental and public health advocates opposed the measure, arguing it could create a loophole for high-polluting vehicles to re-enter daily use. The opposition was strong enough to prompt amendments before the bill cleared its committee phase and moved to the Senate floor.
Under the new version, only vehicles that meet three criteria will be exempt from smog tests:
- They must be 35 years or older.
- They must carry California historical license plates, which limits their use to parades, exhibitions, and club events.
- Owners must carry collector car insurance, which places mileage caps and typically prohibits daily driving.
Democratic State Sen. Aisha Wahab of Fremont was vocal in her opposition: “Clean air is a necessity. Collecting cars is a hobby. I do not support rolling back progress on a public health issue we’ve spent decades trying to improve.”
While supporters argue that the bill now only benefits true collectors, critics maintain concerns about any rollback of air quality standards. Meanwhile, car culture advocates see the changes as yet another blow to California’s once-vibrant automotive community.
Whether the amended bill will pass a full Senate vote—or be further diluted—remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: the road for classic car exemptions in California remains uphill.