A little good news for CA collectors - Leno Law

I'm very naive about this, but I'd like to pose a question:

Is there a legal difference between an officially registered collector vehicle and a daily driver?

According to the article, by 2033, the smog cutoff date with be 1986. That means a lot of E12's, E21's, E23's, E24's, E28's and E30's become potential candidates, along with various Porsche models, and a number of JDM cars.
 
I'm very naive about this, but I'd like to pose a question:

Is there a legal difference between an officially registered collector vehicle and a daily driver?

According to the article, by 2033, the smog cutoff date with be 1986. That means a lot of E23's, E24's, E28's and E30's become potential candidates, along with various Porsche models, and a number of JDM cars.
They have limitations on the mileage and use of the cars. Not sure how they verify that. Here is the general provision: To qualify, vehicles must meet the bill's collector-use requirements, and owners must either carry collector-car insurance or be able to verify the vehicle is driven fewer than 1,000 miles per year.
 
Here's the LA Times article on this topic (not that they're experts..):

Key sentence: "In order to be eligible, owners must prove that their collector car isn't used for everyday transport either by holding collector-car insurance or documenting that the car is driven fewer than 1,000 miles per year."
 
I looked at the law. Only a "collector motor vehicle" that is at least 35 model years old qualifies, and a car used primarily for transportation cannot be a collector motor vehicle. LATimes seems to indicate they are going to police this based on what type of insurance you have on the car, which makes sense. Not sure where they got the 1000 miles thing. Its not in the law, and technically, a car driven fewer than 1000 miles a year could be used primarily for transportation and not owned as a collector car. The rule is based on intended use ("shows, parades, charitable functions, and historical exhibitions for display, maintenance, and preservation") and age in model years.
 
It's simple. Have collectors insurance and drive as much as your insurance allows (Grundy is unlimited) or carry regular insurance (who does that?) and prove the mileage. As your classic insurance already requires, it can't be you primary transport. Nothing additional or onerous there. In Jan 1 2027, the law in Calif changes to allow cars from 1980 and earlier (currently 1975). Every following year another year is added to the exempted vehicles until reaching 1985 MY and then it stops.

My girlfriend and I went to the Capital the day the assembly were voting as there was a bit of a roll call for classics. Here's a picture of Kim and her Bahia Red 1973 911E. Shes obviously outside the range affected by this new law but wanted to show classic car solidarity!

Kim and 911.jpg
 
It's simple. Have collectors insurance and drive as much as your insurance allows (Grundy is unlimited) or carry regular insurance (who does that?) and prove the mileage. As your classic insurance already requires, it can't be you primary transport. Nothing additional or onerous there. In Jan 1 2027, the law in Calif changes to allow cars from 1980 and earlier (currently 1975). Every following year another year is added to the exempted vehicles until reaching 1985 MY and then it stops.

My girlfriend and I went to the Capital the day the assembly were voting as there was a bit of a roll call for classics. Here's a picture of Kim and her Bahia Red 1973 911E. Shes obviously outside the range affected by this new law but wanted to show classic car solidarity!

View attachment 226429
THAT is a beautiful car!!
 
THAT is a beautiful car!!

Thank you, I'll pass along your comment. It's her pride and joy. She ADORES it. It's also the car that brought us together at a Porsche rally 3+ years ago. It's almost perfect with factory sport seats and a 915 5-speed. I was hooked when she told me on our first interaction, that she had purposefully sought out an MFI car.
 
It's simple. Have collectors insurance and drive as much as your insurance allows (Grundy is unlimited) or carry regular insurance (who does that?) and prove the mileage. As your classic insurance already requires, it can't be you primary transport. Nothing additional or onerous there. In Jan 1 2027, the law in Calif changes to allow cars from 1980 and earlier (currently 1975). Every following year another year is added to the exempted vehicles until reaching 1985 MY and then it stops.

My girlfriend and I went to the Capital the day the assembly were voting as there was a bit of a roll call for classics. Here's a picture of Kim and her Bahia Red 1973 911E. Shes obviously outside the range affected by this new law but wanted to show classic car solidarity!

View attachment 226429


And here is Tangerine Red!
 

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