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I didn’t buy a 1963 Dodge Dart when I moved to California just because it was smog-exempt. But it sure didn’t hurt. The state requires every car built after 1975 to pass a biannual smog check. The idea is to keep old clunkers from spewing smoke all over the freeways. But critics argue that the rules are outdated—especially as 1980s and 1990s classics age into collector status. Jay Leno, who daily drives an EV, is now leading the charge to ease smog-related emissions tests on classic rides.

California’s smog rules keep getting stricter

Smog checks have been a thing in California since 1984. At first, the law targeted cars from 1966 onward. In 1997, the state introduced exemptions for cars older than 20 years, but that rolling exemption got scrapped in 2005. Now, only cars built before the 1976 model year are off the hook. Everything else has to pass tailpipe tests or get an expensive classic car insurance policy with strict mileage limits. Owners of pre-2000 cars have even reported trouble finding smog shops that can test them.

Jay Leno loves old cars—but he’s no gas-guzzling dinosaur

Leno has one of the biggest car collections on the planet. His garage is packed with 1980s exotics, pre-war steam cars, and just about everything in between. But despite owning over 180 cars, Leno isn’t a gas-guzzling villain. His daily driver? A Tesla. Before that, he commuted in a Chevy Volt, using almost no gas. But he also believes that rare, well-maintained classic cars aren’t the real pollution problem.

“California’s smog check laws for classic cars need to be updated,” Leno said. “They vary too much from state to state, and California’s rules don’t match up with neighboring ones.”

The ‘Leno Law’ makes sense

Senate Bill 712, or “Leno’s Law,” would fully exempt collector vehicles over 35 years old from smog checks. Right now, owners of older cars can already dodge the rules—if they pay for collector car insurance and limit how much they drive. This bill would just make the process simpler.

Supporters argue that these cars are weekend toys, not daily commuters. Plus, parts for 1980s and 1990s emissions systems are getting harder to find. Even Leno, an EV convert, sees the writing on the wall: California’s smog laws are punishing enthusiasts while doing almost nothing for air quality. If a guy who drives electric every day says it’s time for change, maybe Sacramento should listen.

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Staff Writer

Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari joined MotorBiscuit in 2021 and brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts.

Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont. He has since incorporated his love of the written word with his admiration of classic cars. While Henry is interested in vintage cars, he believes the golden age of cars is yet to come. He is confident journalists will play an important role in this revolution by exposing the industry as it is now and envisioning its possible future.