NHTSA proposes cyan marker lights to identify driverless robotaxis

In a move to clarify how autonomous vehicles communicate their status, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has proposed adding cyan-colored marker lamps to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108. The light would serve as a clear, uniform indicator that an automated driving system is controlling the vehicle, helping law enforcement and other road users recognize driverless operation. Cyan was chosen because existing automotive lighting already uses red, amber, white and flashing blue or red, leaving a visual niche for a new, non-conflicting hue.

While the lamps would be optional for manufacturers, any use must adhere to federal rules on color, intensity and mounting position, creating a consistent national standard for operators such as Waymo, Nuro, Zoox, GM and Mercedes. The rule also proposes removing interior requirements like physical hazard switches and manual beam shifters that are irrelevant to driverless designs, and updating voltage testing standards for modern LED systems. This regulatory push is part of a broader Department of Transportation effort to streamline autonomous-vehicle deployment, coinciding with an ongoing NHTSA audit of Tesla’s Cybercab for missing traditional controls such as side-view mirrors and a steering wheel.