Trump’s Transportation Department Makes Commonsense Updates to Vehicle Lighting Standards for AVsThe change is the latest addition to the agency’s AV Framework as it modernizes[...]

The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today announced a proposal to modernize lighting equipment requirements for vehicles designed to be driven exclusively by automated driving systems (ADS) and standardize performance criteria for identifying marker lamps on ADS-equipped vehicles.

The move builds on the agency's effort to safely unleash American innovation and rethink whether certain equipment requirements should apply for vehicles designed never to be driven by a human being.

Key proposed updates to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108 include:

• ADS-Equipped Vehicle Flexibility: Modernizes manual turn signal, hazard warning, and beam-switching control requirements for vehicles operated only by ADS.
• Standardized ADS Marker Lamps: Establishes equipment specifications-including color (cyan), mounting locations, activation, and visibility-for optional ADS marker lamps to clearly and consistently signal to law enforcement and other road users when an automated driving system is operating the vehicle.
• Headlamp Testing Modernization: Modernizes the rigid 12.8-volt test requirement for integral beam headlamps, allowing manufacturers to certify performance at design voltages tailored to long-lasting LED and advanced lighting systems.
• Design Flexibility for Vertical Headlamps: Removes outdated requirements dictating the vertical ordering of lower and upper headlamp beams, giving manufacturers greater freedom in front-end design without impacting vehicle safety or illumination standards.

"As automotive technology continues to evolve, our safety standards must keep pace with innovation in ways that do not compromise public safety," said NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison. "These proposed updates address unnecessary regulatory burdens for vehicles built without traditional manual controls while establishing clear performance standards for automated vehicle marker lamps. By aligning our regulations with today's technology, we are paving the way for safe innovation and setting clear rules of the road for automated vehicles."

NHTSA is opening a 30-day public comment period following the publication of the notice in the Federal Register. Interested parties and stakeholders can submit comments on Docket No. NHTSA-2026-1519 at www.regulations.gov. Please note that NHTSA is proposing these revisions to the lighting standard separately from the negotiated rulemaking process announced earlier this month, which the agency anticipates will address other elements of FMVSS 108.

Progress Under the Trump Administration's AV Framework:

• FMVSS Modernization: Proposed modernizing Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for transmission shift display (102), windshield defrosting/wiping (103/104), tire placard location (110), and braking system controls (135). NHTSA also announced upcoming efforts to modernize FMVSS for controls and displays (101), mirrors and rearview display (111), electronic stability control systems (126), and sun visors and warning labels (201/208).
• Streamlined Exemption Programs: Improving exemption programs for both research and demonstration vehicles and commercial fleets-including expanding research and demonstration exemption eligibility to domestic vehicles and allowing vehicles manufactured prior to an exemption to qualify for commercial deployment. Under this updated framework, NHTSA has granted its first exemption for a commercial robotaxi deployment.
• Objective AV Performance Standards: NHTSA has announced it is developing the first FMVSS for automated driving system safety. NHTSA is partnering with the SAE Industry Technologies Consortia to accelerate the development of multiple performance standards.
• Updated Federal Safety Guidance: Overhauling federal AV guidance for the first time since 2017 to help the industry transition from small-scale testing to broader commercial operation. The updated recommendations focus on key operational areas including first responder interactions, safety management systems, and remote assistance.