Senate Bill 712, better known as "Leno’s Law," was meant to give classic car owners a break from the state’s strict smog check program. With classic car values sliding, many buyers are drawn to the idea of getting an older car instead of a new one.
Backed by Senator Shannon Grove and championed by collector Jay Leno, the proposal aimed to preserve automotive history. Instead, it was quietly killed in committee, leaving enthusiasts with their heads in their hands and asking a tough question: Will older cars still be welcome in California?
The idea behind the bill was simple: exempt cars 35 years and older from the state’s smog check. Grove called these cars "infrequently driven, carefully maintained, and make up only a fraction of cars on the road."
For collectors, it wasn’t about dodging environmental rules but about saving history without the red tape. Leno explained that doing emission tests on classics is both costly and impractical. A test for an older car can run up to six times more than for a modern one, and many shops lack the proper equipment. For someone who just wants to take their classic out for a Sunday drive once in a blue moon, the process feels like punishment.
Despite support from Democrats and Republicans and countless car enthusiasts, SB 712 never made it past the Assembly Appropriations Committee. No real explanation was given, but environmental groups opposed it, and it would lead to a decrease in smog check revenue.
In the end, Sacramento prioritized budget concerns and climate goals over preserving car culture. Yes, the fight against global warming is serious, but we’re talking about cars that barely leave the garage. Meanwhile, California’s broader auto policies are sending mixed signals, with the state recently dropping its ban on new gas-powered cars.
Yes, clean air matters, but so does preserving heritage. EV sales are climbing worldwide, and the future of motoring will clearly be cleaner than ever before. But to call classic cars that rarely leave the garage an environmental threat is stretching the truth. They won’t make or break the fight against global warming.
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