The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has released five draft mandatory national standards regarding the use of the blue indicator light for autonomous driving systems. According to the new regulations, only vehicles with Level 3 or higher autonomous driving capabilities are permitted to feature this light. Vehicles with Level 2 or lower driver assistance systems are strictly prohibited from installing or activating it.
The draft specifies that the blue-green indicator must be controlled exclusively by the autonomous driving system, with no manual override available to the driver. The light activates automatically when the Level 3 system is engaged to notify pedestrians and other motorists. It must switch off immediately if the system exits, degrades, or requires human intervention.
Currently, only two vehicle models are officially approved for Level 3 autonomous driving trials in China. The Changan Deepal SL03 is authorized for specific expressways in Chongqing with a speed limit of 50 km/h, restricted to single-lane traffic in congested conditions. The Arcfox Alpha S is permitted for testing on designated highway sections in Beijing, limited to single-lane use with a maximum speed of 80 km/h.
These two models are not mass-produced vehicles intended for retail sale to the general public. They are restricted to pilot operations within defined geographical areas. The new regulations aim to eliminate the misuse of the blue indicator light on Level 2 vehicles, which has previously caused confusion among road users and led to driver complacency.
