NHTSA proposes optional cyan lights for driverless vehicles

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has proposed a specific blue-green light to identify driverless vehicles on U.S. roads.

In a release dated October 23, 2026, the agency outlined amendments to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108. The goal is to create a uniform visual signal for autonomous driving systems. NHTSA states the cyan marker lamps would clearly tell law enforcement and other drivers when a computer, not a human, is operating the car.

The choice of cyan addresses a gap in current vehicle lighting. Existing standards use red, amber, white, and flashing blue or red for braking, turn signals, and emergency vehicles. A distinct blue-green hue avoids confusion with these established signals.

Manufacturers would have the option to install the lights, but the proposal sets strict federal requirements for color, brightness, and placement. This ensures any company adopting the technology uses a consistent configuration. The agency noted that while Mercedes-Benz previously won state approval for turquoise lights on Level 3 vehicles, it later dropped the approach. NHTSA wants a single national standard that companies like Waymo, Nuro, Zoox, GM, and Mercedes can all follow.

The rule change also simplifies lighting requirements for cars without drivers. The proposal would remove mandates for physical hazard switches, manual beam shifters, and interior turn levers. These controls are designed for human operators and become unnecessary in fully autonomous designs. The agency is also updating the 12.8-volt testing standard to accommodate modern LED systems and is considering changes to high-beam and low-beam light placement rules.

These updates align with the Department of Transportation’s effort to accelerate the deployment of autonomous vehicles. By easing regulatory burdens, the government aims to make it simpler for automakers to build cars without traditional controls like steering wheels and pedals.

Current regulations still apply until the new rules are finalized. Last month, NHTSA opened an audit query into the Tesla Cybercab. The agency is examining the technical data Tesla used to certify the vehicle, specifically regarding the absence of sideview mirrors, pedals, and a steering wheel required by current federal standards.