Federal agencies · NHTSA-2026-1519 / FR Doc. 2026-21794 · Proposed rule

NHTSA proposes lighting rules for vehicles without manual driving controls

Proposed; comments open through November 25Recorded action: October 26, 2026

What happened

NHTSA published a notice of proposed rulemaking on October 26, 2026, to amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108 for lighting on automated-driving-system vehicles. Comments are due November 25, 2026.

What the proposal would change

The proposal would narrow certain requirements for manual turn-signal, hazard-warning and beam-switching controls on vehicles built without manual driving controls. It would also permit optional cyan-colored ADS marker lamps under standardized specifications, and revise some headlamp testing and mounting provisions.

This is a proposal, not a final safety standard or approval for any particular driverless vehicle. NHTSA does not propose requiring ADS marker lamps on every ADS-equipped vehicle; existing rules remain in force while the agency considers comments.

Verified October 26, 2026. This is a RobotMe summary of the official record; it is not legal advice.