Behind Leno’s Law: Why Classic Cars Should Be Exempt From Smog Checks
Last week, California State Senator Shannon Grove introduced Senate Bill 712, also known as “Leno’s Law.” The bill seeks to exempt classic cars from the stringent emissions regulations in the Golden State. Of course, the law is backed by well-known car enthusiast, Jay Leno, who owns plenty of vehicles that would be positively impacted by the law passing. This proposal has prompted discussions of the necessity and impact of smog checks on older, vintage cars. Here’s what you need to know about the proposed law.
The Unique Nature of Classic Cars
Classic cars are usually vehicles that are 25 years old or older. They often tell interesting stories of automotive history and innovation and they are cherished among car enthusiasts for their historical significance. Unlike the modern automobiles you see on the road today, classic cars were built differently. Owners of these vehicles tend to invest a significant amount of time and resources into restoring their rides. The idea is to preserve as much of the past as possible.
That said, one of the primary arguments for exempting classic cars from smog checks is their limited usage compared to daily-driven vehicles. Many classic cars are driven sparingly, often only for special occasions, car shows, or weekend cruises. This infrequent use results in a minimal contribution to overall vehicle emissions. Additionally, the number of classic cars on the road is relatively small, further reducing their environmental impact.
One of the things I think is most important about Leno’s Law and exempting these older vehicles from emissions testing is that they are attempting to preserve automotive history. It’s amazing to look at some of these cars and get a glimpse into the past. However, requiring them to have modern smog equipment could alter their original configurations. This makes it less authentic and, ultimately, takes away from the preservation of history.
Economic Considerations for Owners
I know several people who have bought and restored classic cars. It can be a really expensive endeavor and the people who take on these projects are extremely passionate about their vehicles. Requiring them to meet modern emissions regulations could put additional financial stress on the owners. In the end, it could push them to give up the classic car altogether, getting rid of a literal piece of history. Not to mention, making this kind of alteration could lead to damage or devaluation of the car. It’s just not worth it.
Alignment with Existing Exemptions
California has some of the strictest emissions regulations in the United States. The state’s current laws already provide some exemptions for certain categories of vehicles. Anything that was built before 1975, for example, is exempt from smog checks. This is due to the car’s age and limited numbers of them on the road. Leno’s Law will simply extend this kind of exemption to all classic cars (meaning anything 25+ years old).
Balancing Regulation and Preservation
Leno’s Law has brought a number of issues to light. There is a need to balance environmental regulations, of course. However, there still needs to be some kind of effort to preserve automotive history. Having classic vehicles be exempt from smog checks will help people keep these cars running and on the road (minimally) without having to face undue regulatory challenges. As with anything, there has to be a balance. This proposal aims to achieve just that.
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Drew Blankenship is a former Porsche technician who writes and develops content full-time. He lives in North Carolina, where he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. While Drew no longer gets his hands dirty modifying Porsches, he still loves motorsport and avidly watches Formula 1.