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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →No. California lawmakers did not toss out Leno’s Law: Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 1392, also known as Jay Leno’s Law, on September 16, 2026. The measure creates a phased smog-check exemption for a limited group of qualifying collector cars from model years 1976 through 1985—not an immediate exemption for every classic car.
What California’s new law says
The Governor’s announcement describes SB 1392 as a phased exemption for qualifying collector vehicles built from 1976 through 1985. It identifies collector-vehicle insurance or driving fewer than 1,000 miles per year as eligibility routes, and emphasizes that the cars are preserved for occasional use rather than everyday transportation. The Office of the Governor’s announcement gives this summary.
Senator Dave Cortese’s office describes qualifying use as including car shows, parades, exhibitions and charitable events. Those examples reinforce the law’s collector-car focus; they do not establish a complete eligibility checklist. See the Senator’s announcement.
Does that mean classic cars no longer need smog checks?
No. The announced exemption is narrow and phased in. A vehicle’s age alone does not establish that it qualifies, and the announcements do not provide the exact phase-in dates by model year. They also do not set out the complete statutory eligibility rules or registration procedure. Do not assume that a particular car is exempt—or skip a required test—based only on the announcement’s summary.
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- Exemption log books for truckers help drivers meet the requirements of 49 CFR Section 395.1(e)(1).
- Short-haul drivers daily log book designed for drivers who don't normally travel outside of a 100 air-mile radius, and non-CDL drivers who don't normally travel outside a 150 air-mile radius from their home terminal.
- Driver log book provides a simple, concise method of keeping track of hours worked for a four-month period.
- This vehicle log book set comes with 10 books. Each book contains 18 sets of weekly logs and 4 sets of monthly log summaries.
- Exemption log forms are 2-ply with three carbons and measure 8.5" x 5.5".
The precise effective schedule and owner-facing procedure are not established in the official announcements cited here. Owners should check current Bureau of Automotive Repair and DMV guidance and confirm how the operative rules apply to their vehicle before relying on an exemption.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How the new exemption differs from existing partial relief
California already has a separate partial exemption described in the Health and Safety Code. The cited provision concerns specified parts of a smog inspection, not the new SB 1392 exemption. Its conditions include collector-vehicle insurance, an age of at least 35 model-years, compliance with the applicable exhaust standard, and passing fuel-cap and fuel-leak inspections. Consult the Health and Safety Code provisions for the existing rule.
Rank #2
- Exemption log books for truckers help drivers meet the requirements of 49 CFR Section 395.1(e)(1).
- Short-haul drivers daily log book provides a simple, concise method of keeping track of hours worked for a four-month period.
- This vehicle log book set comes with 5 books. Each book contains 18 sets of forms. Total, you will receive 90 forms.
- Driver log book is 2-ply with carbon.
- Driver log book measures 8.5" x 5.5".
| Question | Existing partial exemption | SB 1392 (Jay Leno’s Law) |
|---|---|---|
| What is covered? | Specified portions of a smog inspection, subject to the code’s conditions. | A newly announced phased smog-check exemption for qualifying 1976–1985 collector vehicles. |
| What conditions are stated? | Collector insurance, at least 35 model-years old, applicable exhaust-standard compliance, and fuel-cap and fuel-leak checks. | The Governor’s summary names collector insurance or driving fewer than 1,000 miles per year and describes limited collector use. This is not a complete statutory checklist. |
| When does it apply? | The partial provision appears in current code text. | Phased in; exact model-year dates are not stated in the announcements. |
| What kind of use is contemplated? | Not stated in the cited code excerpt. | Occasional, limited collector use rather than daily transportation. |
The two provisions should not be treated as interchangeable. The existing code rule has its own conditions and scope; the Governor’s summary of SB 1392 describes a separate new exemption. The Governor’s announcement and Senator Cortese’s announcement do not supply enough detail to determine an individual vehicle’s status.
Quick Recap
Rank #3
- Exemption log books for truckers help drivers meet the requirements of 49 CFR Section 395.1(e)(1).
- Short-haul drivers daily log book provides a simple, concise method of keeping track of hours worked for a four-month period.
- This vehicle log book set comes with 5 books. Each book contains 18 sets of forms. Total, you will receive 90 forms.
- Exemption log forms are 2-ply with three carbons.
- Driver log book measures 8.5" x 5.5".
What owners should do now
- Identify the vehicle’s model year. The announced SB 1392 range is 1976 through 1985, but being in that range does not by itself prove eligibility.
- Check the current smog requirement before a due date. The measure is described as phased in, and the exact model-year schedule is not stated in the announcements.
- Verify the full operative rules with state agencies. Check current Bureau of Automotive Repair and DMV instructions for eligibility, timing, and any application or registration steps.
- Confirm insurance and use details. The Governor’s summary names collector insurance or driving fewer than 1,000 miles annually; ask the relevant agency and insurer whether your policy and vehicle meet the actual requirements.
- Do not substitute the existing partial exemption for the new one. The current code provision has distinct inspection and vehicle conditions.
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