The “Leno’s Law” Legacy: Navigating the 2026 Shift for San Diego Classic Car Owners

I was at a car meet in Balboa Park a few months ago, standing next to a guy with a pristine 1978 Trans Am. He was frustrated. “My car is almost 50 years old,” he told me, “but I still have to find a station with a working dynamometer just to get my tags.“

In 2026, we are at a fascinating crossroads for California’s automotive history. While the 1975 cutoff has been the “golden rule” for decades, new legislative movements—often nicknamed “Leno’s Law” after car enthusiast Jay Leno’s public support for classic car exemptions—are finally changing the conversation. If you own a vehicle from the late 70s or early 80s in San Diego, the rules for your next smog check might be different than you expect.

The 1976-1983 “No-Man’s Land”

For years, if your car was made in 1976 or later, you were stuck in the biennial smog cycle. In San Diego, this is particularly tough because many of the older “TSI” (Two-Speed Idle) and “Dyno” (Dynamometer) machines are being retired by shops. It’s getting harder to find a smog check location that can even physically perform a test on a 1979 Camaro.

However, as of 2026, the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) has expanded the “Collector Car” abbreviated inspection. If your vehicle is at least 25 years old and you have Historical Vehicle License Plates, you might qualify for a much simpler test.

Classic vs. Collector: What’s the Difference?

I’ve seen dozens of San Diego enthusiasts switch their registration to “Historical” status just to avoid the headache of the visual inspection for obsolete parts like air pumps that no one makes anymore.

Why 2026 is the Year of the “OBD Readiness” Crackdown

If you drive a car from the early 2000s—think that reliable 2004 Tacoma or a 2006 Accord—the 2026 rules have tightened significantly. The BAR has officially ended many of the “allowances” for unset readiness monitors.

In the past, you could sometimes pass with one or two monitors (like the EVAP monitor) in a “Not Ready” state. Now, the state’s data shows that these “Not Ready” statuses were often hiding real emissions failures. If you recently replaced your battery or cleared a code in your driveway in North Park, your car is going to fail at the station.

The 2026 “Readiness” Standard

My advice? Don’t leave the battery disconnected overnight to “reset” the computer before your test. In 2026, the BAR-OIS system will see that the “Permanent DTCs” (Diagnostic Trouble Codes) haven’t been cleared by a full drive cycle. You’ll be sent home without a certificate and out of your testing fee.

Finding a Specialist Station in San Diego

Not every shop wants to touch a car with a carburetor or an early fuel injection system. If you’re looking for a smog check discount for an older vehicle, you need to head to the “industrial” hubs.

I’ve found that shops in National City and Escondido tend to keep the older BAR-97 equipment in better shape than the “express” shops in the more affluent coastal areas. Those coastal shops often prefer the “plug-and-go” 2015+ cars because they can finish the test in eight minutes and move on.

Where to Go Based on Your Vehicle Age

• 1976 – 1995: Look for “STAR Test-Only” stations in National City. They have the rollers (dynamometers) required for these tailpipe tests.
• 1996 – 2010: Miramar is your best bet. These shops are great at diagnosing early OBD-II communication issues.
• 2011 – 2026: Any “Smog Check” station in San Diego will do. These are the easiest tests.

The “Referee” is Your Friend, Not Your Enemy

In 2026, the California Smog Check Referee system has become much more accessible. I remember when “going to the Ref” felt like being sent to the principal’s office. Now, it’s a vital resource for San Diego car lovers.

If you have a car that is a “Gross Polluter” or if you’ve installed an engine from a different model year (an “LS swap,” for example), the Referee is the only person who can legally certify your car. We have a great Referee center at Miramar College and another in Chula Vista. They are fair, but they are thorough.

When to Make a Referee Appointment

1. Engine Changes: You swapped a newer engine into an older chassis.
2. Parts Availability: You can’t find a California-legal catalytic converter for your rare 1992 import.
3. Kit Cars: You built a Cobra replica or a Sand Rail.
4. Disputes: You believe your car should pass, but the station technician is incorrectly identifying a part.

Don’t Let the “Historical” Plate Fool You

There is one big trap I want to warn you about. Just because you have a “Historical Vehicle” plate in San Diego doesn’t mean you are exempt from smog. It just changes the way you are tested.

I had a neighbor who bought a 1980 Mercedes with black-and-yellow plates. He thought he was home free. When his registration came due, the DMV still demanded a smog certificate. Why? Because the “1975 and older” exemption is still the law for daily-driven cars. The “Leno’s Law” (SB 712) which aims to move that date to 1980 or 1981 is still being debated in the assembly as we speak in 2026.

Smog Exemptions (The Hard Truth)

Final Strategy for the 2026 Season

My final tip for my fellow San Diegans: keep a folder of every repair you’ve done. In 2026, if your car fails and you need to apply for a “Repair Cost Waiver,” the state wants to see that you’ve used a licensed Smog Repair technician. Receipts from your “buddy who knows cars” won’t count toward the waiver limit.

The air in San Diego is getting cleaner, and our car culture is surviving these new rules through better tech and better information. Find your smog check station, grab a coupon, and get your test done on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning. You’ll beat the weekend rush and have your new sticker in the mail before you can say “Pacific Coast Highway.”