Our old pal Jay Leno—an well-known ambassador of the classic car hobby—is making waves that could ripple throughout the entire vintage vehicle world. That’s because Mr. Leno is actively supporting proposed legislation that would change the way California addresses classic vehicle emissions regulations.
Technically the legislation is titled Senate Bill 712—but it’s been lovingly referred to by gearheads as “Leno’s Law” and it is currently making its way through California’s legislative process. (You can learn more about SB 712 here.)
Right now in California, the regulations require mandatory biennial smog testing for vehicles made on or after the 1976 model year. Leno’s Law seeks to change that to a rolling window that offers a full exemption to cars 35 years old, or older.
The only caveat is that the vehicle in question must be insured as a Collector’s Vehicle—which typically means the car is to be used only for display, show, and parade duty. (In other words, you’d still have to smog a 35-year-old work truck, delivery van, and commuter car.)
“California has a rich automotive heritage, with some of the first classic cars rolling off assembly lines right here in our state. These rolling pieces of history are more than just vehicles—they have strong cultural ties in our communities and supply thousands of jobs in the aftermarket parts industry. Senate Bill 712 will update the current law to include all classic cars that are 35 years or older, allowing enthusiasts to enjoy their hobby without burdensome restrictions that are driving some collectors and industry businesses out of the state.”
California State Senator Shannon Grove – Sponsor of Senate Bill 712
We’re obviously focused on The Golden State here—but if passed, similar proposals could soon wind up in other state legislatures as well. It’s no secret that many states have adopted derivative (if not identical) guidelines modeled after California’s CARB regulations, so there’s a chance Leno’s Law cold be enacted elsewhere too.
If this sort of thing sounds good to you, make sure to let your local lawmakers know your thoughts. The fine folks at SEMA have established the SEMA Action Network (SAN) to help like-minded automotive enthusiasts stay up to date on currently laws and regulations regarding the classic car hobby.
Check out the SEMA Action Network Website here to learn more & sign up for Legislative Alerts.
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Jay Leno on The OnAllCylinders Podcast
Fun Fact: Jay Leno was the guest star on the inaugural episode of The OnAllCylinders Podcast. You can catch that interview here:
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