Smog check: exemption: collector motor vehicles.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill's effective date is not provided, which could affect when these changes take effect.

Exemption for Collector Vehicles from Smog Checks

This law changes the definition of a collector vehicle to include cars that are at least 35 years old, mainly used in shows and parades, not as daily transportation, and either insured as collectors or driven less than 1,000 miles per year. It also exempts certain older vehicles from needing certificates showing they pass smog tests every two years.

What This Bill Does

• Changes the definition of a 'collector motor vehicle' to include any car that is at least 35 years old and mainly used for events like shows, parades, charitable functions, and historical exhibitions, not as daily transportation, and either insured as a collector or driven less than 1,000 miles per year.
• Exempts cars made before the 1981 model year from needing to get certificates showing they pass smog tests every two years. This exemption will increase by one model year each year until it covers cars made before the 1986 model year.

Who It Names or Affects

• Owners of collector motor vehicles that meet the new definition.
• The Department of Consumer Affairs, which runs the smog check program.

Terms To Know

Collector Motor Vehicle

A car that is at least 35 years old and mainly used for shows, parades, charitable functions, historical exhibitions, or similar events, not as daily transportation.

Smog Check

An inspection to ensure a vehicle meets clean air standards.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify how the Department of Consumer Affairs will enforce or verify if a car is driven less than 1,000 miles per year.
• It's unclear what happens if an older car doesn't meet the new definition but was previously exempt from smog checks.

Official Summary Text

SB 1392, as amended, Cortese.
Smog check: exemption: collector motor vehicles.
Existing law establishes a motor vehicle inspection and maintenance (smog check) program that is administered by the Department of Consumer Affairs. The smog check program requires inspection of motor vehicles upon initial registration, biennially upon renewal of registration, upon transfer of ownership, and in certain other circumstances. Existing law requires all motor vehicles to biennially obtain a certificate of compliance or noncompliance, as provided. Existing law exempts specified vehicles from obtaining the certificate of compliance or noncompliance, including, among others, all motor vehicles manufactured before the 1976 model year. Existing law also exempts from specified portions of the smog test, both biennially and at transfer, a collector motor vehicle that is insured as a collector motor vehicle, is at least 35 model years old, complies with the exhaust emissions
standards for that motor vehicle’s class and model year as prescribed by the department, and passes a functional inspection of the fuel cap and a visual inspection for liquid fuel leaks. Existing law defines collector motor vehicle for this purpose to mean a motor vehicle owned by a collector, as defined, used primarily in shows, parades, charitable functions, and historical exhibitions for display, maintenance, preservation, and not used primarily for transportation.
This bill would redefine collector motor vehicle to mean a vehicle that is at least 35 years old, is used primarily in shows, parades, charitable functions, and historical exhibitions, as provided,
and
is not used as the owner’s primary mode of
transportation.
transportation, and is either insured as a collector motor vehicle, as specified, or determined, as specified, to be driven fewer than 1,000 miles per calendar year.
This bill would exempt a collector motor vehicle manufactured before the 1981 model year from the requirement to obtain a certificate of compliance or noncompliance biennially. The bill would extend the applicability of this exemption by one model year each year, beginning on and after January 1, 2028, until the final extension takes effect on and after January 1, 2032, that would exempt a collector motor vehicle manufactured before the 1986 model year from the requirement to obtain the certificate of compliance or noncompliance. This bill would be known, and may be cited, as Jay Leno’s Law.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF