Is California getting rid of smog checks?

One of the most common questions we hear at Lake Smog Test Only is whether California is planning to eliminate smog checks. The short answer is no—smog checks remain a critical part of vehicle registration for most California drivers and are not going away. However, there are important legislative updates, expanding exemptions, and regulatory changes that every vehicle owner should know about.

California's Smog Check Program Is Here to Stay

California's Smog Check Program has been in operation since 1984 and is administered by the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR). The program currently covers approximately 30 million registered vehicles statewide and is considered one of the most effective vehicle emissions testing programs in the country. Given California's ongoing air quality challenges—particularly in the Los Angeles basin and San Joaquin Valley—there is no serious legislative effort to eliminate the program.

In fact, California has been strengthening its emissions testing requirements in recent years. In 2025, the Bureau of Automotive Repair adopted regulations that will eventually require all OBD-II readiness monitors to be complete for a vehicle to pass—though the rollout is deliberately gradual, and the longstanding pass/fail criteria remain in effect until BAR announces changes. The direction is clear: requirements are tightening, not loosening.

SB 1392: "Jay Leno's Law" for Collector Vehicles

While California is not eliminating smog checks broadly, there are targeted efforts to refine exemptions for specific vehicle categories. The most notable is Senate Bill 1392, introduced in February 2026 and often called "Jay Leno's Law."

Here's what SB 1392 proposes:

• Immediate exemption: Collector vehicles manufactured before the 1981 model year would be exempt from biennial smog certification
• Phased expansion: Beginning January 1, 2028, the exemption would extend by one model year each year until vehicles manufactured before 1986 are exempt by 2032
• Current status: The bill passed the Senate in May 2026 and is pending in the Assembly (Appropriations Committee). It is not law yet—current smog check requirements still apply. Full details in our SB 1392 explainer.

Important: This bill has not been enacted into law. Under existing law, only gasoline-powered vehicles manufactured before 1976 are exempt from smog checks. If you own a vehicle from 1976–1980, you still need a smog check until this legislation passes.

Current Smog Check Exemptions (2026)

The California DMV already provides several exemptions based on vehicle age and type:

• 1975 or older: Gasoline-powered vehicles model year 1975 or older are fully exempt
• Diesel vehicles: Diesel-powered vehicles model year 1997 or older are exempt (1998+ diesel vehicles under 14,000 lbs GVWR do require testing)
• Electric vehicles: Fully electric vehicles, including battery EVs, do not require a smog check
• Newer vehicles: Gasoline-powered vehicles less than eight model years old are exempt from biennial testing, though owners pay an annual smog abatement fee instead
• Motorcycles and trailers: Fully exempt from the program

For a detailed breakdown, see our guide on which cars are exempt from smog checks in California.

What About Federal Impacts?

There is also broader discussion about federal impacts on California's ability to set its own emission standards. Under the Clean Air Act, California has a special waiver allowing it to set stricter vehicle emissions standards than the federal government. Any changes to this waiver at the federal level could theoretically impact how California enforces its smog check program.

However, California has consistently defended its authority to maintain stricter standards, and the state's smog check program operates independently of federal tailpipe standards. Even if federal emissions rules change, the state-level BAR inspection program would likely continue.

The Role of Electric Vehicles

As California pushes toward its goal of 100% zero-emission new vehicle sales by 2035 (under the Advanced Clean Cars II regulation), the long-term relevance of smog checks will naturally decrease as more EVs enter the fleet. However, with millions of internal combustion engine vehicles still on the road and expected to remain so for decades, the Smog Check Program will continue operating well into the foreseeable future.

What This Means for Pasadena Drivers

For the vast majority of vehicle owners in Pasadena and surrounding communities, nothing changes. If your vehicle is a gasoline-powered car manufactured between 1976 and eight years ago, you still need a biennial smog check for DMV registration renewal. If your DMV notice directs you to a STAR station, you must visit a STAR-certified facility like Lake Smog Test Only.

If you're unsure whether your vehicle needs a smog check this year, feel free to stop by or give us a call at (626) 798-0049. We're here to help you navigate the requirements quickly and easily!