NHTSA proposes cyan lights and updated LED standards for driverless vehicles

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has released a proposed rule that would standardize how driverless vehicles appear on the road.

The agency proposes a specific blue-green color, known as cyan, for marker lamps on autonomous vehicles. NHTSA stated this color would clearly and consistently signal to law enforcement and other road users that an automated driving system is in control. The color fills a visual gap because the auto industry already reserves red, amber, white, and flashing blue or red lights for braking, turn signals, headlights, and emergency vehicles.

The proposal targets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, which governs vehicle lighting. It seeks to ease regulatory burdens for designs without human drivers and create a unified communication method. The agency noted that companies such as Waymo, Nuro, and Zoox, as well as automakers including GM and Mercedes, could adopt this national standard. Mercedes-Benz previously won state-level approval for turquoise lights on its Level 3 Drive Pilot vehicles, though it has since shifted to a Level 2++ system.

Under the draft, cyan lights would remain optional for manufacturers. However, NHTSA would set federal requirements for their color, brightness, and placement. This ensures any company installing the lights uses a consistent and legal configuration rather than a patchwork of different colors and signals.

The rule also proposes removing lighting requirements that apply to human drivers. NHTSA would eliminate the need for physical hazard switches, manual beam shifters, and turn levers inside the vehicle. The agency plans to update the 12.8-volt testing standard to accommodate modern LED systems. It is also considering dropping rules regarding the placement of high-beam and low-beam lights.

The Department of Transportation aims to speed up the deployment of autonomous vehicles by allowing automakers to build cars without traditional controls like steering wheels and pedals. While existing rules remain in force, NHTSA opened an audit query into the Tesla Cybercab last month. The review examines the process and technical data Tesla relied on when certifying the vehicle, specifically regarding the absence of sideview mirrors, pedals, and a steering wheel.