09/16/2026
A BIG DAY FOR CALIFORNIA DELOREAN OWNERS
Today, September 16, 2026, Leno’s Law has officially been signed into California law! 🇺🇸🏁
For those of us who own and preserve these incredible pieces of automotive history, this is a major milestone. California’s new law creates a phased-in smog-check exemption for qualifying collector vehicles from 1976 through 1985.
And that means the DeLorean DMC-12 is finally included in the future of California’s collector-car exemption.
Beginning January 1, 2028, qualifying 1976–1980 vehicles will be exempt, with the exemption expanding one model year at a time until 1985 models are included in 2033. Qualifying vehicles must meet the collector-use requirements, including collector-car insurance or a limit of fewer than 1,000 miles per year. (CBS News)
For California DeLorean owners, this is about more than just smog checks. It’s about preserving history, protecting our automotive heritage, and keeping these cars on the road for future generations.
After years of effort from Jay Leno, SEMA, lawmakers, and California’s collector-car community, today we can finally celebrate. 🙌
The DeLorean belongs in California. And now California law is making it a little easier to preserve it. 🏁