1 week Ago By Arshi Qureshi
ACTOR Jay Leno is pushing to kill off smog tests for certain cars, and it could help drivers dodge a fee up to $1,000.The former Tonight Show host is backing a new law that would let some drivers skip the emissions test and avoid being forced off the road.APFormer Tonight Show host Jay Leno is backing a new law that would let some drivers skip the emissions test[/caption]APLeno rolled into the Capitol to back a bill cutting smog checks[/caption]CBS NewsIn California, failing a smog check means you can’t renew your DMV registration, and repairs could cost you thousands[/caption]In California, if your car fails a smog check, you can’t renew your DMV registration and fixing it could set you back thousands.
A new catalytic converter alone can cost between $1,000 and $2,000 with parts and labor.But Leno wants to help classic car owners skip those fees.On Tuesday, he rolled through Sacramento in a Pontiac Firebird, parking outside the State Capitol to rally support for what’s now being called “Leno’s Law.
”The longtime gearhead joined State Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield), who’s pushing the bill to exempt collector cars from California’s strict emissions rules.If passed, SB-712 would cut smog checks for gas-powered cars 35 years or older – shifting the cutoff from 1975 to 1990, reported Late Nighter. Grove called classic cars “rolling pieces of history” with deep cultural roots and ties to thousands of jobs in the parts industry.
Leno, 74, has long been a loud voice in the car world and owns more than 100 classic vehicles.To qualify, the cars must be insured as collector vehicles and not used for daily driving.“I know there’s nothing more annoying than Hollywood people involved in politics.
.. but this one’s important to me, because I’m an enthusiast,” Leno told a crowd of supporters.
The bill cleared its first hurdle hours later, passing the Senate Transportation Committee with bipartisan support.It now moves to the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee.Grove says it’s time to modernize the law to reflect how these cars are actually used, not as daily commuters, but as hobby vehicles with historical value.
“California helped invent car culture from lowriders in East LA to muscle cars in the Central Valley,” Leno said after the vote.“These cars tell the story. SB 712 is about keeping that story alive.
”Five steps for restoring a carRestoring a car can be a massive undertaking. Here's a simpler way to think about the process as a whole:PlanThis includes setting a budget, preparing a work area, researching parts, and establishing a timeline to get the work done.Strip the vehicleThis involves disassembling the vehicle and assessing the condition of the parts being removed.
BodyworkThis means stripping the paint and repairing any rust and dents, followed by repainting.Engine restorationThis involves restoring a car’s power – including engine repairs.RebuildAfter reassembling and detailing the car, all that’s left is to take it for a test drive.
Source: WeatherTechRight now, cars from 1976 and newer must pass a smog check every two years or risk fines and blocked registration.Leno’s Law would let thousands of older rides skip the hassle.Backers say these cars make up just 1% of vehicles on the road and are barely driven, reported CBS News.
More than a dozen Republican lawmakers and three Democrats are behind the plan.Critics aren’t impressed.“It’s a real jailbreak for our air quality problems in California,” warned Will Barrett from the American Lung Association.
Still, Leno’s Law is gaining speed, and could soon bring relief to thousands of vintage car owners stuck in the smog lane.If passed, the bill would allow owners of 1980s and early 1990s cars to skip the smog test and save big at registration time.The bill is set to cruise through the legislative process, backed by car clubs, industry leaders, and enthusiasts across the state.
APLeno, 74, has long been a loud voice in the car world and owns more than 100 classic vehicles[/caption]CBS NewsThe bill would allow owners of 1980s and early 1990s cars to skip the smog test and save big at registration time[/caption].
