Leno’s Law

[Nick Triesch]

Well for now it looks like a huge snag has hit. The California senate as added two amendment's , classic car insurance and the other is you must pay extra for historical license plates and drive your classic only to club events or club meetings, no going on a Sunday ride or a mountain ride or anywhere!, can’t even drive your Porsche to the grocery store!!!! Very disappointing. Republicans are still going to try and have the restriction removed. This is such a bummer.

[shoooo32]

Classic car insurance is a low hurtle that would be effective in eliminating any "landscape truck" loopholes. Historical plates are a bridge too far (and in line with the usual CA legislation BS).

[Nick Triesch]

Yes , if the historical plate amendment stays, there is no Leno’s Law.

[Ian Comerford]

As an outside from the other side of the pond can I ask what the issue is with regard to having historic plates? It seems a low hurdle unless there's something I am missing and other countries use them. Just trying to understand.....

[Nick Triesch]

Ian, right now many of us must smog our cars every two years, it’s a pain because old 911’s are not easy to pass . But after we pass we can be like everyone else and drive our cars anywhere we want and daily if we want to. The historical plate amendment would remove the every two year smog requirement however owners would then be restricted to drive only to club events and meetings, no more fun weekend rides to the beach or mountains. Our cars would become garage queens.

[Ryan_Cunningham]

This is frustrating. I'm fine with collector's car insurance, but limiting where I can drive my car makes this a non-starter.

Is there any way that can get changed?

[Nick Triesch]

I live in the small rural town of Fallbrook California. I am surrounded by many beautiful country roads that I love to drive in my 3.2. With a historical plate I will no longer be able to take my great back road rides.

[Duc Hunter]

So sorry for you guys. And so glad I left CA in 2005. Whew, dodged several big bullets.

[SpyderMike]

I have owned my 1985 for 35 years in CA. I put 250,000 miles on it with original drivetrain. It has passed smog every time except once due to a leaking gas cap seal. I just passed again two days ago. Not a huge deal ... 30 minutes and done.

[Nick Triesch]

Mike, you are lucky, many of us have a hard time getting our cars to pass smog. Also, it seems that many of the shops I have been to over the years are different from each other with weird standards. My 85 also passed smog but it would be nice if there was no longer a smog check.

[almostordinary]

So annoying. My 87 took forever to "pass" once I finished building it. So much so that I just drove with full coverage and no plates for a while.

I am planning on an engine swap in my 89 560SL this summer, Leno Law or not, I've got residency in another state and may just plate this car accordingly.

It is a joke what we get taxed with/on and then mandated with in this state.

My wife and I have planted roots here, but we are always looking at other opportunities, even in the UK... I'd gladly ship my 911 across the pond and take it to Europe on the weekends.

Hope the historic plates get nixed or this bill was a smoke and mirror show and is useless.

/rant

[2jmotorsports]

FWIW I have had CA historic plates for the last 10 years and while I dont daily the car, I do drive it often in the SoCal area and not necessarily to and from "parades, shows, etc etc". Ive never had any issues around law enforcement so far.

The fact that these are the only stipulations and not a complete rejection altogether is still a step in the right direction.

[WMichelsen]

I always worry if my '87 will pass. Keeping it compliant can be a chore. And, it's annoying that many mods are not legal here. I'm happy when regulations affecting -me- are relaxed.

On the other hand, I really like clean air. California has been a major influence toward that goal. Kinda sucks sometimes, but I appreciate the general result.

[almostordinary]

I'll see how far I get w my 560SL 2JZ swap w a historic tag.... LOL.

I too want clean air, I run CATs on all of my projects, even the pre-75 builds.

[Nick Triesch]

Here is the problem, if you have the historical plates and it requires only going to car events, and you ignore that and get in an accident while on a fun ride , insurance will not cover you. Would be best to just continue to smog your car every two years so you can drive your car legal.

[Nick Triesch]

Here is the problem, if you have the historical plates and it requires only going to car events, and you ignore that and get in an accident while on a fun ride , insurance will not cover you. Would be best to just continue to smog your car every two years so you can drive your car legal.

[RNajarian]

What if you have a 1976 911S with the original California Blue/Yellow plate (123 ABC format).

Would you have to give up the original license plates to get historical plates ? Car collectors don’t want that.

@#$&&*& politicians

[Ryan_Cunningham]

The problem is people don’t understand that manufacturing, shipping, and operating a new car is generally more environmentally hazardous than driving an old car.

I have little hope for this state given it is controlled by the demographics of SoCal and SF.

I could move but CA is the most beautiful, temperate state in our nation. #fightforwhatyoulove

We’ll all find a way. It’s just incredibly frustrating to have to.

Do you all know San Diego would save money by purchasing a new Tesla for every single person who uses public transportation, than what it spends on public transportation? Utopia are great concept, but they’re not possible.

Please feel free to move this to PARF. ��

[917_Langheck]

The line between 1975 and 1976 was and is completely arbitrary; it was not based on any real critical developments in smog technology or testing requirements, but just a "convenient" date. Those cars do not need a special plate or insurance. Moreover, if I wanted to drop a 455 super duty into a 1972 Vega there's no big deal getting that done. So what is so special about the 1976 to 1990 period cars that would necessitate anything different from the pre-1976 group? Nothing meaningful that comes to my mind...

[Nick Triesch]

So all the big mustangs and Chevy Camaros and mopar from the 60’s and early 70’s can smog and not test all they want. Just not right.