There are exceptions for newer vehicles as well; I forget how many years you get before you have to take the car in.
Oh, and to be nit-picky: The old-car exemption is for the 1975 model year and older. Some 1976 model year cars are built in 1975, but they still have to pass smog. (Much to the dismay of some friends of mine who own 1976 model year cars built in 75.) Of that population, though, there were a very very few who managed to get some paperwork filed the last time the smog laws changed which exempted their built-in-75-but-model-year-76-cars from testing, somehow.
no subject
Oh, and to be nit-picky: The old-car exemption is for the 1975 model year and older. Some 1976 model year cars are built in 1975, but they still have to pass smog. (Much to the dismay of some friends of mine who own 1976 model year cars built in 75.) Of that population, though, there were a very very few who managed to get some paperwork filed the last time the smog laws changed which exempted their built-in-75-but-model-year-76-cars from testing, somehow.
None of which changes your point, though.