Jay Leno pushes bill to exempt classic cars from California smog checks

Jay Leno, known for his extensive automobile collection, is advocating for Senate Bill 1392, commonly referred to as “Leno’s Law,” which would exempt classic and collector cars made before 1981 from California’s biennial smog inspections, with a phased expansion to 1986-model vehicles by 2032. He appeared alongside Senator Shannon Grove at the state Capitol to urge bipartisan support, emphasizing that many owners cannot afford specialized testing facilities like his Big Dog Garage in Burbank.

Proponents argue the bill promotes equity for hobbyists, while opponents such as the Bay Area Air District contend it would open a “massive loophole” for non-hobbyists to avoid checks. A similar effort was defeated last year after environmental concerns. Lawmakers have until the end of August to send the bill to the governor after a pending vote in the Assembly.