# NHTSA proposes optional cyan lights to identify self-driving vehicles

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/feds-want-robotaxis-to-signal-im-driving-with-cyan-colored-lights/
- Published: 2026-10-23T15:24:45+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-23T15:53:02+00:00
- Original publisher: The Verge
- Original article: https://www.theverge.com/transportation/1017435/nhtsa-autonomous-vehicle-cyan-lighting-fmvss
- Topics: Software

## Key points

- NHTSA proposes optional cyan lights to identify autonomous driving.
- The proposal would standardise their colour, brightness and placement.
- Some lighting rules built for human drivers could be removed.

## Summary

NHTSA has proposed a national standard allowing autonomous vehicles to use cyan marker lights to show when an automated driving system is operating. The lights would be optional, but consistent rules for their colour, brightness and placement could help road users and law enforcement recognise driverless vehicles.

The proposal would also remove some requirements designed for human drivers, including physical hazard switches, manual beam shifters and turn levers, and update a testing rule for modern LED systems. It is part of a broader effort to ease autonomous vehicle deployment, while existing requirements remain in force: NHTSA recently opened an audit query into Tesla’s Cybercab over features including mirrors, pedals and a steering wheel.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.