The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration proposes standardized cyan marker lights as optional equipment on vehicles with automated driving systems. Its proposal would also change which lighting controls must be operated by a person when a vehicle has no manually operated driving controls.
The notice is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on October 26. It proposes changes to the federal standard for lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment; it does not finalize them.
Optional lamps, with performance requirements
NHTSA proposes specifications for front, rear and side automated-driving-system marker lamps when manufacturers install them. The lamps would communicate that the system is controlling the driving task without an expectation that an occupant is monitoring the roadway.
The agency says it lacks enough information to conclude that there is a safety need to require such lamps on every ADS-equipped vehicle. Its proposal therefore sets an optional-equipment standard: a manufacturer choosing to install the lamps would have to meet requirements for matters including color, activation, visibility, mounting and intensity.
NHTSA has not quantified the potential safety benefits. Its concern is that inconsistent supplemental lighting could confuse or distract other road users or interfere with required lighting.
Lighting functions would remain
For vehicles without manually operated driving controls, the proposal would remove certain requirements for manual turn-signal operation and operation of a headlamp beam-switching device by a driver's hand or foot. Those vehicles would still need a means to operate turn signals and switch headlamp beams, which could be non-manual.
The corresponding manual-control requirements would remain for vehicles with manually operated driving controls. The proposal also addresses headlamp testing and vertical headlamp arrangements.
How to comment
The public-inspection copy gives the deadline as '[INSERT DATE 30 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]'. By this desk's count, scheduled October 26 publication makes that November 25; the Register's documents API already supplies November 25.
The notice directs commenters to Regulations.gov under NHTSA-2026-1519 and requires the agency name and docket number. It warns that submissions, including personal information, will be posted publicly without change.