Smog check: exemption: collector motor vehicles.

Plain English Breakdown

The exact number of car owners affected by this change is not specified in the official source material.

Smog Check Exemption for Collector Cars

The bill changes the definition of a collector motor vehicle to allow certain older cars used in shows and parades to skip smog checks, gradually expanding this exemption until 2032.

What This Bill Does

• Changes how 'collector motor vehicles' are defined.
• Exempts certain old cars from needing smog check certificates every two years.
• Expands the list of older cars that can avoid smog checks by one model year each year until 2032.

Who It Names or Affects

• Owners of old cars used in shows and parades

Terms To Know

Collector motor vehicle

A car that is at least 35 years old, mainly used for display or preservation, not as a regular ride.

Smog check

An inspection to make sure cars meet clean air standards.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify what happens after the final extension in 2032.
• It is unclear how many car owners will be affected by this change.

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, and is insured as a collector motor vehicle, as specified. The
transportation. 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.
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