California Smog Check Exemption

A California smog check exemption means the DMV does not require a Smog Check certificate for that vehicle at registration or transfer. Model-year 1975 and older cars are already exempt. Collector cars from 1976 on still need an abbreviated inspection at a state Referee under current Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) rules.

The California Legislature passed SB 1392 (Jay Leno's Law) on August 31, 2026. As of September 4, 2026, the bill is enrolled and awaiting the Governor. Until it is signed and BAR publishes new regulations, the BAR collector cars process still applies.

CARB Test Finder is an independent directory. We are not BAR, DMV, or CARB.gov. This article covers passenger-car Smog Check. Heavy-duty diesel fleets follow Clean Truck Check, a different CARB program.

What is a California smog check exemption?

A California smog check exemption is a statutory exception from the biennial (and, in some cases, transfer) Smog Check certificate. The main paths are model year (before 1976), newer vehicles in the rolling new-car window, and qualifying collector motor vehicles. Exemption is not automatic just because a car is old, insured as a hobby car, or parked most of the year.

What year cars are smog exempt in California?

1975 and older vehicles do not need a Smog Check. BAR states that model-year 1976 and newer collector cars still do, through a Referee. Newer daily drivers can also skip the biennial test during the current new-vehicle window (generally eight model years), which is separate from collector-car rules.

The 1976 cutoff comes from Health and Safety Code section 44011: vehicles manufactured before the 1976 model year are exempt. BAR's consumer page says the same in plain language: 1975 and older, no test.

What is a collector car in California?

A collector car is used primarily in shows, parades, charitable functions, and historical exhibitions. It is not the owner's primary transportation. Vehicle Code section 259 is the definition BAR cites.

To qualify, the vehicle must be insured as a collector car and meet one of these:

• At least 35 model years old
• At least 25 model years old and displaying historical vehicle license plates
• Classified as a special interest vehicle (collected, preserved, restored, or maintained by a hobbyist, and not altered from the manufacturer's original specifications)

A historical vehicle license plate is a DMV plate for a vehicle of historic interest manufactured after 1922 and at least 25 model years old (Vehicle Code section 5004).

Do collector cars need a smog check?

Yes, if the collector car is model-year 1976 or newer. Those vehicles need an abbreviated Smog Check at a state Referee, not at a regular Smog Check station. 1975 and older collector cars do not need a Smog Check.

Stations cannot run the abbreviated collector-car inspection. BAR says they do not have the equipment for that test, so the Referee must do it.

How are collector cars inspected?

The Referee confirms collector-car eligibility, checks collector-car insurance, then runs an abbreviated Smog Check:

1. Tailpipe emissions test
2. Fuel cap functional test
3. Visual check for liquid fuel leaks

A special interest vehicle is also checked to confirm it is unaltered from the manufacturer's original specifications.

If the vehicle passes, the Referee issues a certificate of compliance that is sent electronically to DMV. If it fails, the Referee explains what failed and whether emissions repairs are needed.

What does SB 1392 change?

SB 1392, cited as Jay Leno's Law, would add a rolling full Smog Check exemption for certain collector motor vehicles that are at least 35 model years old, used as collector cars, and either insured as collector cars (with proof to BAR) or driven fewer than 1,000 miles per calendar year.

The exemption would start January 1, 2028, for qualifying collector cars manufactured before the 1981 model year. It would then move forward one model year each year until January 1, 2033, when qualifying collector cars manufactured before the 1986 model year would be covered.

Historical-plate and special-interest collector cars that do not use that 35-year path would still use the abbreviated Referee test if they meet the insurance, age, tailpipe, fuel-cap, and leak checks in current law.

BAR would adopt regulations, including forms and an administrative fee capped at twice the annual smog abatement fee. The 1,000-mile path in those regulations would apply on and after January 1, 2030, for later model years in the roll-forward.

This is not in effect yet. The Legislature passed the bill on August 31, 2026, and ordered it to engrossing and enrolling. Check the bill status before you skip a Referee appointment.

Vehicles that do not qualify

Specially constructed vehicles (kit cars) cannot qualify as collector cars for this purpose. BAR treats them as built for private use, not by a licensed manufacturer.

Grey-market (direct import) vehicles cannot qualify. They were not built to U.S. federal safety standards and/or California emissions standards, and the manufacturer did not intend them for U.S. sale.

A car used as the owner's primary transportation also fails the collector-car definition, even if it is old or insured on a hobby policy.

How to check a California smog check exemption

Use this sequence before you skip a Smog Check or book a Referee.

Confirm collector-car use

The vehicle must be used primarily for shows, parades, charitable functions, or historical exhibitions, not as daily transportation.

Check model year and plates

1975 and older: no Smog Check. 1976 and newer: you need either the 35-year path, historical plates at 25 years, or special-interest status, plus collector-car insurance.

Confirm collector-car insurance

BAR requires proof that the vehicle is insured as a collector car. Bring that proof to the Referee.

Book a Referee inspection if needed

If the car is 1976 or newer and you are relying on collector-car status today, book the abbreviated inspection with a state Referee. Regular Smog Check stations cannot perform it.

Collector-car smog vs Clean Truck Check

Need the truck program instead? Start with what Clean Truck Check is or CARB emissions test cost.