NHTSA Proposes Cyan Lights for 0 Human Drivers

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has released a draft rule that would standardize how driverless cars signal their status to the public. The proposal amends Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, which governs vehicle lighting, to address the specific needs of autonomous vehicles.

The core of the plan involves optional cyan marker lamps. NHTSA states these lights would clearly signal to law enforcement and other road users when an automated driving system is operating. The agency chose cyan because other colors already serve specific functions on the road. Red, amber, white, and flashing blue or red lights are currently used for braking, turn signals, headlights, and emergency vehicles.

Cyan fills a visual gap without causing confusion. While Mercedes-Benz previously won state-level approval for turquoise lights on its Level 3 Drive Pilot vehicles, it later dropped that approach. NHTSA aims to create a single national standard for companies like Waymo, Nuro, and Zoox, as well as automakers including GM and Mercedes. If a manufacturer chooses to install these lights, the rule would dictate their specific color, brightness, and placement to prevent a patchwork of different signals.

The draft rule also removes lighting requirements that do not apply to vehicles without human drivers. Current regulations mandate physical hazard switches, manual beam shifters, and turn levers inside the cabin. NHTSA proposes to scrap these controls for autonomous designs. The agency is also updating the 12.8-volt testing standard to accommodate modern LED systems and is considering changes to rules regarding the placement of high-beam and low-beam lights.

These changes support a wider Department of Transportation push to speed up the deployment of autonomous vehicles. The goal is to make it easier for automakers to build cars without traditional human controls like steering wheels and pedals. This regulatory shift aligns with the industry's move toward vehicles designed primarily for automated operation.

NHTSA continues to enforce existing rules while the new proposal is pending. Last month, the agency opened an audit query into the Tesla Cybercab. The review examines the technical data Tesla used to certify the vehicle and related issues. The primary concern is the absence of sideview mirrors, pedals, and a steering wheel, all of which are required under current federal standards.