If you own, restore, or plan to buy a classic car in California, smog compliance is probably your biggest registration headache. The rules are confusing, the exemptions are narrow, and a missed or failed smog test can block your renewal or title transfer entirely.
Now, two bills working their way through Sacramento could change the game. Senate Bill 712, backed by Jay Leno and nicknamed “Leno’s Law,” would create a full smog exemption for collector vehicles 35 model years or older starting in 2027. A second bill, AB 1368, would go even further by establishing a rolling 30-year exemption for all vehicles, not just registered collectors.
Neither bill is law yet. That means 2026 registration renewals and transfers still follow today’s rules, and classic car owners who assume these exemptions are already in place could end up with a suspended registration or a blocked title transfer. Here is what the law says right now, what the proposed changes would do, and how to keep your registration clean in the meantime.
How Smog Checks and Registration Work in California Right Now
California’s smog check program, administered by the Bureau of Automotive Repair, requires emissions testing at several key points in a vehicle’s life: initial registration in the state, biennial renewal, and change of ownership. The results tie directly to your DMV record. If you owe a smog certificate and do not have one, the DMV will not process your registration renewal or your title transfer.
For 2026, the core rules break down like this. Gasoline-powered vehicles manufactured before the 1976 model year are permanently exempt from biennial smog inspections. Vehicles that are eight model years old or newer (2019 through 2026 models in 2026) skip the physical smog test but pay an annual smog abatement fee on their registration. When you sell a vehicle that is four model years old or newer, you pay a smog transfer fee instead of getting a full test. Everyone else, meaning gasoline vehicles from model years 1976 through 2018, needs a passing smog certificate every two years at renewal and at every change of ownership.
There are additional permanent exemptions for electric vehicles, motorcycles, diesel vehicles manufactured before 1998, and certain heavy-duty trucks over 14,000 pounds GVWR that fall under the separate Clean Truck Check program. But for the vast majority of classic and collector cars built between 1976 and the early 1990s, a biennial smog inspection is still required, and a failure means your registration is on hold until repairs are made and a retest is passed.
The Existing Collector Vehicle Exemption and Why It Falls Short
California already has a partial smog exemption for collector vehicles, but it is so narrow that many classic car owners either do not qualify or do not realize the limitations until they are at the smog station.
Under current law, a collector motor vehicle that is at least 35 model years old and insured as a collector car is exempt from the tailpipe portion of the smog test. However, the vehicle must still pass a visual inspection for liquid fuel leaks, a functional fuel cap test, and it must comply with the original exhaust emissions standards for its model year and class. That last requirement is the problem. If any emissions control equipment has been modified, removed, or replaced with non-CARB-approved parts, the vehicle fails. For many classic cars that have been modified over decades of ownership, meeting the original emissions configuration is either expensive or impossible.
This partial exemption also does not apply at change of ownership. If you sell or buy a collector vehicle that is model year 1976 or newer, a full smog certificate is required to transfer the title, regardless of the vehicle’s age or collector insurance status. That requirement has been a persistent pain point for dealers, private sellers, and buyers who discover the smog obligation at the worst possible time: after the sale is agreed on but before the DMV will process the paperwork.
What SB 712 (“Leno’s Law”) Would Change
Senate Bill 712, authored by Senator Shannon Grove and sponsored by Jay Leno, would replace the current partial exemption with a full smog exemption for qualifying collector vehicles. The bill passed the Senate Transportation Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee with bipartisan support during the 2025 legislative session. As of its last recorded action, SB 712 was held in committee and under submission in the Assembly in late August 2025, meaning it remains active in the two-year 2025-2026 legislative session and could still advance.
If enacted, here is what SB 712 would do starting January 1, 2027. Any motor vehicle manufactured prior to the 1981 model year that has been assigned a historical vehicle special identification plate and is insured as a collector vehicle would be fully exempt from smog checks, both at biennial renewal and at transfer of ownership. Starting January 1, 2028, the exemption would expand by one additional model year each year for five consecutive years. By 2032, the exemption would cover vehicles through approximately the 1986 model year.
This is a significant departure from the current framework. The full exemption means no tailpipe test, no visual inspection, and no fuel cap check. It also means no smog certificate would be required when selling or buying a qualifying vehicle, which would remove one of the biggest friction points in the California classic car market.
The bill’s supporters, including the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), point out that California’s specialty automotive aftermarket industry generates more than $40 billion in economic activity and supports over 149,000 jobs statewide. Collector vehicles are typically driven only for shows, weekend cruises, and special occasions, making their emissions contribution minimal compared to daily drivers.
AB 1368: The Rolling 30-Year Alternative
While SB 712 targets registered collector vehicles specifically, Assembly Bill 1368, authored by Assembly Member Wallis, takes a broader approach. AB 1368 would extend the existing pre-1976 smog exemption to any motor vehicle that is 30 or more model years old, regardless of collector insurance or historical plates.
If AB 1368 were to pass, it would create a rolling exemption that automatically includes older vehicles as they age past the 30-year threshold. In 2026, that would mean any vehicle from model year 1996 or earlier would be exempt. In 2027, the cutoff would move to 1997, and so on each year.
AB 1368’s first hearing was canceled at the request of the author in early 2025, so its path forward is less certain than SB 712’s. However, it represents a competing approach that the Legislature may revisit, especially if SB 712 gains enough traction to put smog reform for older vehicles on the broader agenda.
It is worth noting that California previously had a rolling 30-year exemption before it was repealed in 2004 by AB 2683. That repeal locked the exemption to the pre-1976 model year, where it has stayed for more than 20 years. Both current bills are essentially attempting to reverse or modernize that 2004 decision.
What Has Not Changed: The 2026 Rules You Need to Follow Right Now
Because neither SB 712 nor AB 1368 has been signed into law, all existing smog check requirements remain fully in effect for 2026 registration renewals and title transfers. If you own a classic car from the late 1970s, 1980s, or early 1990s, here is what still applies to you this year.
For biennial renewal, any gasoline vehicle model year 1976 or newer that is more than eight model years old needs a passing smog certificate. The partial collector exemption (visual and functional only, no tailpipe) applies if your vehicle is 35 or more model years old, insured as a collector, and meets the original emissions configuration. For 2026, that means model year 1991 and older vehicles could qualify for the partial exemption if they meet all the criteria.
For change of ownership, a full smog certificate is required for any gasoline vehicle model year 1976 and newer, with no collector exemption at transfer under current law. If you are buying a classic car privately or at auction, the seller is generally responsible for providing the smog certificate, but the DMV will not process the title transfer without it.
For out-of-state vehicles being registered in California for the first time, a smog inspection is required regardless of the vehicle’s age (with the exception of pre-1976 models). This catches many buyers off guard, especially people purchasing classic cars from Arizona, Nevada, or Texas where smog requirements are either lighter or nonexistent.
What Classic Car Owners Should Do Now
The smart play for 2026 is to plan as if today’s rules will stay in place, while keeping an eye on the legislative calendar for updates on SB 712.
If you already own a classic car registered in California, check your renewal notice carefully. Confirm whether your vehicle needs a smog test this year and, if so, whether it qualifies for the partial collector exemption. Make sure your collector insurance policy is current and that your emissions equipment has not been modified in ways that would cause a visual inspection failure. Getting ahead of the smog test before your renewal deadline avoids the cascade of problems that comes with an expired or suspended registration.
If you are buying a classic car, especially one from model years 1976 through the early 1990s, factor smog compliance into the purchase. Ask the seller for a current smog certificate before finalizing the deal. If the vehicle cannot pass, you need to know that before money changes hands, because the DMV will not transfer the title without a valid certificate. This is especially important for out-of-state purchases, where the car may have been legally driven for years in a state with no smog program but will need to pass California’s test before it can be registered here.
If you are a dealer handling trade-ins or consignment sales of older vehicles, build smog verification into your intake process now. The compliance landscape for used car dealers is already tightening in 2026, and a smog-related registration hold on a vehicle sitting on your lot is a cost you do not need.
If you manage a fleet with older specialty vehicles, utility trucks, or company-owned classics, audit which units might become exempt under SB 712 or AB 1368 if either passes. Knowing which vehicles could drop off the smog schedule in 2027 lets you plan maintenance budgets and registration workflows ahead of any changes.
How Leno’s Law Could Affect the Classic Car Market in California
If SB 712 becomes law, the ripple effects go well beyond skipping a smog test. California has long been one of the most challenging states for classic car ownership because of its emissions rules, and a meaningful exemption could shift how collectors, dealers, and restorers operate.
For private owners, a full smog exemption at transfer would make buying and selling classic cars dramatically simpler. Right now, the smog-at-transfer requirement discourages some sales entirely, especially for modified vehicles that would need expensive restoration of original emissions equipment just to pass. Removing that barrier could increase transaction volume and stabilize prices for vehicles in the newly exempt range.
For restoration shops and parts suppliers, the change could open up business that has been migrating to other states. The Bureau of Automotive Repair data shows that STAR-certified stations test fewer than one of these older collector vehicles per day on average, reinforcing the argument that the emissions impact of exempting them is minimal while the economic benefit to the aftermarket industry is substantial.
For dealers, a transfer exemption would simplify reconditioning decisions on older trade-ins and reduce the risk of buying a vehicle at auction that turns out to need thousands of dollars in emissions work before it can be legally sold in California.
Avoid Registration Surprises on Older Cars
Whether you are renewing a classic car you have owned for years, buying your first project car, or bringing a vehicle into California from out of state, smog compliance is the single most common reason registrations get held up or denied on older vehicles. The rules are layered, the exemptions have fine print, and the consequences of getting it wrong range from penalties to a vehicle you legally cannot drive.
Quick Auto Tags monitors DMV rulemaking and legislative changes so you do not have to guess what applies to your vehicle. Our team can decode whether a specific VIN needs a smog test under current law, whether it qualifies for an existing exemption, and what documentation you need to get your registration processed without delays. If a failed or missing smog test has already blocked your renewal or transfer, we handle the resolution process and get your registration back on track.
We also work with dealers and fleets to manage registration compliance across multiple vehicles, including the tricky cases where smog status, title history, or out-of-state origins create complications that the DMV’s online system cannot handle. If you have questions about how current or proposed smog rules affect your vehicles, call us at (951) 409-9091 or visit our office in Riverside.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Leno’s Law already in effect in California?
No. SB 712 has not been signed into law. It passed key Senate committees with bipartisan support during the 2025 session and remains active in the 2025-2026 legislative cycle. If it passes both chambers and is signed by the governor, the earliest its provisions would take effect is January 1, 2027. Until then, all current smog check rules apply.
What year cars are smog exempt in California in 2026?
Gasoline vehicles manufactured before the 1976 model year are permanently exempt from biennial smog inspections. Vehicles that are eight model years old or newer (2019-2026 models) are exempt from the physical test but pay a smog abatement fee. Diesel vehicles manufactured before 1998 and fully electric vehicles are also exempt. Everything else from model year 1976 through 2018 requires a biennial smog certificate.
Do I need a smog check to sell a classic car in California?
Yes, under current law. Any gasoline vehicle model year 1976 and newer requires a valid smog certificate at change of ownership, regardless of its age or collector status. The partial collector exemption that exists for biennial renewals does not apply to transfers. This is one of the key provisions that SB 712 would change if enacted.
What is the difference between SB 712 and AB 1368?
SB 712 would create a full smog exemption specifically for collector vehicles that are at least 35 model years old, carry historical plates, and are insured as collector cars. AB 1368 would create a broader rolling exemption for any vehicle 30 or more model years old, regardless of collector status. SB 712 has advanced further in the legislative process, while AB 1368’s first hearing was canceled at the author’s request.
Will Leno’s Law apply to modified classic cars?
If SB 712 passes as currently written, qualifying vehicles would receive a full exemption from all smog check requirements. That means no tailpipe test, no visual inspection of emissions equipment, and no fuel cap check. Modified vehicles that currently fail the visual portion of the existing partial exemption would no longer need to meet those requirements, provided they meet the age, plate, and insurance criteria.
Should I wait to buy a classic car until Leno’s Law passes?
That depends on your timeline and risk tolerance. SB 712 is not guaranteed to pass, and even if it does, it would not take effect until 2027 at the earliest. If you are buying now, you need to comply with today’s rules. Make sure the vehicle has a valid smog certificate before you complete the purchase, or factor in the cost of getting it to pass. If the law changes later, you benefit from the exemption at your next renewal or future sale.
Can Quick Auto Tags help if my classic car’s registration is blocked by a smog issue?
Yes. We handle cases where a missing, failed, or expired smog certificate has caused a registration hold or suspension. We can also help with emissions recall issues, out-of-state transfers that require California smog compliance, and any other registration complications tied to smog status. Call us at (951) 409-9091 to discuss your specific situation.
