When is a Car Considered a Classic in California? (2024)

FAQs

When is a Car Considered a Classic in California? ›

California describes a “classic car” as a vehicle that is at least 25 years old. This distinction is made due to the fact that cars built before 1975 are excused from the California Smog Certification Program.

Classic cars are defined very broadly in California, and there is no differentiation between classic, vintage, or antique vehicles. The California DMV defines a Historical Vehicle as one that dates from 1922 or later, and is at least 25 years old.

Classic cars are at least 20 years old but not older than 45 years, while vintage cars are 25 years or older. Antique cars are even older, at least 45 years old.

The vehicle is at least 25 model-years old with historical vehicle license plates. (Vehicle Code section 5004)

Insurance Company Classifications

Insurers generally consider vehicles 20-30 years old as classics, with gaps in the ranges they cover. For example: State Farm classifies 10 to 24-year-old vehicles with “historical interest” as “classics.” American Collectors Insurance defines classics as vehicles over 20 years old.

What vehicles do not require a Smog Check? Gasoline-powered vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and alternative-fuel vehicles that are model-year 1975 and older. Gasoline-powered vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and alternative-fuel vehicles that are eight model years and newer do not require a biennial Smog Check.

Simply put, the USA's “25-Year Import Rule” regulates the importation of foreign vehicles into the United States. It stipulates that a vehicle must be at least 25 years old before it becomes eligible for import and deemed street-legal for use on American roads.

Classic car insurance is usually much cheaper than regular car insurance. According to Baily Insurance Agency, a classic car policy costs around $200 to $600 annually. If you own an abnormally expensive vehicle, your rates may be higher. In contrast, regular car insurance usually costs over $1000 per year.

While the definition can vary from one insurance company to another, typically, a car is considered classic for insurance purposes when it is at least 20 years old. You must ensure that you are not using your automobile for commuting in addition to your age.

For a car to be considered a classic, it must be more than 20 years old, in good condition and true to the original design.

Does a 1976 car need smog in California? ›

The state of California currently enforces a law in which any vehicle 1976 and later must adhere to a "vehicle inspection and maintenance check (smog check)" every two years.

The starting classic car age range can generally be anywhere from a minimum of 10 to 25 years old, but there's no agreed-upon minimum age that categorizes a car as a classic.

California describes a “classic car” as a vehicle that is at least 25 years old. This distinction is made due to the fact that cars built before 1975 are excused from the California Smog Certification Program.

Cars over 10 years old can still be reliable. Most vehicles can last well over a decade with proper care and maintenance. In fact, the average car on U.S. roads is now 12.6 years old, according to a study from S&P Global Mobility. Furthermore, a car doesn't really stop depreciating until it hits that 10-year mark.

Vehicle Depreciation

When it's time to sell the value of the car will be based purely on model year not purchase date and the 2016 model will be considered older than an equivalent 2017.

Your vehicle does not need a smog inspection if your:

Gasoline-powered vehicle is a 1975 year model or older (This includes motorcycles and trailers.) Diesel-powered vehicle is a 1997 and older year model OR with a Gross Vehicle Weight of more than 14,000 pounds.

California laws regarding license plates state that all passenger vehicles must include both a front and rear license plate. Both license plates must be clearly visible with no alterations that obscure the state, plate number, or registration and must be securely fastened to prevent the plates from swinging.

Highway Safety Act of 1966

In California, vehicles were required to have seat belts for all seating positions as early as January 1, 1964. Under the California Vehicle Code, vehicles older than this date are typically not required to have safety equipment installed in the vehicle. See Cal.