NHTSA Proposes New Lights for Self-Driving Trucks

Self-driving trucks could get special lights.

On October 23, 2026, NHTSA proposed new federal lighting rules for vehicles with automated driving systems.

The biggest change is optional cyan-colored lights that would show when a vehicle is driving itself.

These blue-green lights could help truck drivers, police, and other road users recognize vehicles operating under automated control.

NHTSA also wants to update lighting requirements for vehicles built without traditional driver controls.

The proposal includes changes to turn signal controls, hazard lights, and headlights.

For now, these are only proposed rules. Nothing has been approved yet.

!What This Means for CDL Drivers

In the future, special lights could make self-driving trucks easier to recognize on the highway.

Regular trucks would not need these lights.