California Governor Signed Smog Exemption Law
The new legislation exempts classic cars built before 1981 from state smog compliance requirements starting 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, creating a new smog exemption for vehicles produced prior to the 1981 model year. This policy shift expands upon the previous 1975 model year cutoff established in 2004.
Why it matters
The law aims to support the preservation of family-owned classic vehicles by lowering maintenance barriers for collectors. To ensure the exemption is not abused, lawmakers included a 1000-mile annual usage limit to prevent these cars from serving as daily drivers.
Senate Bill 1392 adjusts the smog exemption cutoff to the 1981 model year, moving past the 1975 limit that has been in place since 2004. Eligible vehicles must adhere to a 1000-mile annual usage limit to qualify for the exemption.
The players
Gavin Newsom
He is the current Governor of California who signed the legislation into law.
Dave Cortese
He is a California State Senator who co-authored the bill.
Shannon Grove
She is a California State Senator who served as an author for the legislation.
The details
Advocates successfully lobbied for the bill by hosting a car show at the State Capitol to demonstrate broad constituent support. The law also establishes a mechanism for the smog exemption to extend by one model year annually beginning in 2033.
Timeline
The legislature repealed the rolling 25-year exemption in 2004.
A lobbying event took place at the State Capitol on August 12, 2026.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed the legislation on September 16, 2026.
Senate Bill 1392 officially takes effect on January 1, 2028.
Roadmap
This legislation marks a shift in California's historical stance on vehicle emissions by reversing the restrictive 2004 repeal of the rolling exemption. It positions the state to better accommodate collector car hobbyists while maintaining long-term environmental targets.
Owners of pre-1981 vehicles will no longer face state-mandated smog checks, provided they respect the 1000-mile annual driving limit. This change offers significant cost savings and reduced maintenance requirements for qualifying collectors and restorers.
The takeaway
The law provides a balanced framework that encourages the preservation of historic vehicles without compromising state air quality goals. Enthusiasts should track the annual model-year expansion to ensure their vehicles remain compliant with state standards.
What happens next
The smog exemption criteria will shift annually starting in 2033, and the DMV is scheduled to implement further non-insurance based exemptions for low-mileage vehicles by 2030.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Car Culture across the region.
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?
