The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China has released a draft regulation prohibiting the use of blue indicator lights for L2-level driver assistance systems. Under the new rules, ADS indicator lights, which must be teal, are reserved exclusively for vehicles equipped with L3-level autonomous driving systems or higher.
The draft mandates that ADS lights must activate automatically when L3 systems are engaged and turn off when the system is deactivated. Manual control of these lights is strictly forbidden. Furthermore, the regulation bans the use of text projections, anthropomorphic icons, or facial expressions on vehicle lighting units.
The proposal aims to mitigate safety risks associated with light misuse, such as glare for other drivers and potential traffic incidents. The new standards also prohibit controlling vehicle lights via voice commands or gestures. Manufacturers are required to provide clear manual switches for any voice-activated lighting features.
The regulation is expected to take effect on January 1, 2028. To facilitate compliance, the authorities have established a transition period of up to 49 months for new and existing vehicle models, allowing companies time to adjust their technical designs and product lineups accordingly.
The development of these standards involved collaboration with major industry players, including BYD, SAIC Volkswagen, and Yinwang Intelligent Technology. These companies contributed to defining technical requirements for light configuration, installation, and testing protocols to ensure standardized safety across the automotive industry.
