SB 1392 “Jay Leno's Law”: What the Classic Car Smog Exemption Bill Would Actually Do

If you own a classic car in the San Gabriel Valley, you've probably heard the buzz: a bill nicknamed after Jay Leno—one of Southern California's most famous car collectors—could exempt older collector vehicles from California's smog check program. It's real, it's moving, and it's closer to passing than its predecessor ever got. Here's exactly where SB 1392 stands, who would qualify, and—importantly—what the rules are today, because nothing has changed yet.

First Things First: SB 1392 Is Not Law Yet

As of this writing (July 2026), SB 1392 passed the California Senate on May 19, 2026 by a 29–5 vote, then cleared the Assembly Transportation Committee unanimously (13–0) on June 29. It now sits in the Assembly Appropriations Committee—the same committee where the original Leno's Law stalled last year. Until the Assembly passes it and the Governor signs it, every current smog check requirement remains fully in effect. If your 1979 Trans Am is due for renewal, it still needs its inspection.

Leno's Law, Take Two

The original “Leno's Law,” SB 712 (2025), passed the Senate but was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee in August 2025 and died there. The 2026 sequel, SB 1392, was introduced on February 20 by Senators Cortese and Grove with an unusually long, bipartisan list of co-authors—and this version is formally written to be cited as “Jay Leno's Law.” Having already cleared the Senate and its first Assembly committee without a single no vote, it has momentum SB 712 never built.

What SB 1392 Would Do

As currently amended (June 24, 2026), the bill makes two big moves:

1. It expands who counts as a “collector motor vehicle.” A qualifying vehicle would need to be:

• At least 35 model years old
• Used primarily in shows, parades, charitable functions, and historical exhibitions
• Not the owner's primary mode of transportation
• Either insured as a collector vehicle or driven fewer than 1,000 miles per calendar year — a notable loosening, since current law requires collector insurance

2. It creates a full smog check exemption with a rolling cutoff. Qualifying collector vehicles manufactured before the 1981 model year would be exempt from the smog certificate entirely—at initial registration, biennial renewal, and transfer of ownership. Then, starting January 1, 2028, the cutoff extends by one model year every year until it reaches pre-1986 vehicles on January 1, 2032, where it stops.

What the Rules Are Today

Until anything is signed, here's the current landscape for classic car owners:

• 1975 and older (gasoline): fully exempt—no smog check, ever. See all categories in our guide to California smog check exemptions.
• 1976 and newer: smog check required—biennially, at sale, and at first California registration.
• Existing collector accommodation: vehicles at least 35 model years old with collector vehicle insurance already qualify for a modified inspection under current law—they're exempt from specified portions of the test, provided they meet the exhaust standards for their class and model year and pass a fuel cap check and a visual inspection for fuel leaks.

What This Means for Pasadena Classic Car Owners

The San Gabriel Valley has one of the densest classic car cultures anywhere—from weekend cruise-ins and Rose Bowl-area meets to the collections tucked into garages from San Marino to Arcadia. If SB 1392 becomes law, a large share of late-'70s and (eventually) early-'80s collector cars around here would skip the smog line entirely. Until then, two practical tips:

• Your 1976–1990 classic still needs its check. We test older vehicles every week and treat them accordingly—gently, correctly, and in about 15 to 20 minutes.
• Watch the definition, not just the year. Even if the bill passes, a pre-1981 car used as a daily driver wouldn't qualify—the exemption is built around genuine collector use.

We'll update this post as the bill moves. In the meantime, if your classic is due, bring it by Lake Smog Test Only at 765 E. Washington Blvd—STAR certified, test-only, walk-ins welcome—or call (626) 798-0049 with questions. Don't forget the coupon.