California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 1392, known as “Leno’s Law,” giving some classic and collector-car owners a path around the state’s smog-check requirements. The change begins in January 2028 for qualifying vehicles built before the 1981 model year, with the exemption expanding one model year at a time through 2033.

The law is not a blanket exemption for every pre-1986 vehicle. To qualify, a car must either be registered as a collector vehicle or be driven fewer than 1,000 miles per year. By 2033, vehicles built before the 1986 model year will be eligible under the phased rollout.

How California’s classic-car exemption works

Under the schedule established by SB 1392, pre-1981 model-year vehicles become eligible in 2028. The cutoff then moves forward by one model year annually, eventually reaching vehicles built before 1986 in 2033.

That timing means owners of qualifying cars will not receive the full benefit immediately. A vehicle’s model year, registration status and annual mileage will determine whether it qualifies as the law takes effect.

The measure also leaves existing exemptions unchanged. Vehicles built before the 1976 model year already have a smog exemption, while pre-1998 diesel-powered vehicles are also exempt under the rules described in the legislation’s rollout.

Who benefits from Leno’s Law?

The biggest beneficiaries will be owners of older cars that are used sparingly or formally registered as collector vehicles. An owner who drives a qualifying classic fewer than 1,000 miles per year may qualify even if the vehicle is not being used as a daily driver.

However, the law does not cover every enthusiast vehicle. A classic car that is not registered as a collector vehicle and is driven more than 1,000 miles annually will not qualify through the mileage provision. That limits the impact for owners who regularly use an older car for commuting, road trips or other high-mileage driving.

For California’s broader enthusiast community, the result is therefore narrower than a universal rolling exemption. The law targets collector vehicles and low-use classics rather than removing smog checks for all older cars.

What supporters are saying

SEMA CEO Mike Spagnola called the legislation a historic win for California’s automotive community. Supporters argue that the measure recognizes the cultural value of collector cars while maintaining limits based on how those vehicles are used.

Newsom’s approval gives the law a clear implementation path, but owners will have to wait until 2028 for the first new model-year group to become eligible. The annual expansion continues until 2033, when vehicles built before 1986 can qualify if they meet the collector-car or mileage requirements.