California Law Exempted Pre-1981 Cars From Smog Checks
Owners of older collector vehicles will face fewer emissions testing requirements beginning in 2028.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Car Culture
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Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 1392 into law on September 16, 2026, officially extending smog test exemptions to include vehicles built before the 1981 model year. This change modifies the state's previous requirement that had limited such exemptions to cars built in 1975 or earlier.
Why it matters
The legislation aims to support the preservation and street use of classic vehicles maintained by families. By easing regulatory burdens on these older cars, the state hopes to encourage the restoration of vintage automotive history while keeping these vehicles off the road for daily commuting.
The new law expands the smog exemption beyond the 1975 model year limit that had been in place since 2004. To qualify for specific future exemptions, owners must adhere to a 1,000-mile annual usage limit.
The players
Gavin Newsom
The Governor of California who signed the legislation into law.
Dave Cortese
A California State Senator who authored the bill to support vehicle collectors.
Shannon Grove
A California State Senator who co-authored the legislation.
The details
The law functions by moving the exemption cutoff forward from the previous fixed 1975 model year standard. To ensure these vehicles are not used as daily commuters, lawmakers included a 1,000-mile annual usage restriction. Beginning in 2030, the DMV will permit cars that meet age requirements and stay under this mileage threshold to skip smog checks even without specialized collector insurance.
Timeline
1997: Previous classic car smog exemption passed.
2004: Legislature repealed the prior rolling 25-year exemption.
August 12, 2026: Lobbying event held at the State Capitol.
September 16, 2026: Governor signed Senate Bill 1392.
January 1, 2028: The law takes effect.
The Home Front
This legislation departs from the rigid smog-check framework established by the 2004 repeal of the state's rolling 25-year exemption. It signals a shift toward accommodating the maintenance and limited use of older, family-owned collector cars.
If you own a vehicle manufactured between 1976 and 1980, begin tracking your annual mileage now to ensure you meet the 1,000-mile limit required for future exemptions. Keep clear records of your odometer readings to prepare for when the law takes effect in 2028.
The takeaway
This law provides long-term clarity for classic car owners by creating a predictable path for future smog exemptions. Owners should maintain organized maintenance logs and mileage records to take advantage of these rules as they phase in.
What happens next
Smog exemptions will expand by one model year annually beginning January 1, 2029, continuing through January 1, 2033.
Further reading
Learn more about the state's latest Car Culture developments and how they impact vintage vehicle ownership.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Road & Track.
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Should states exempt older classic cars from annual smog and emissions testing requirements?
