NHTSA proposes exterior lights that tell police when a car is driving itself

A light for the empty driver seat

NHTSA has proposed rules that would require lights showing when a car is operating autonomously, so a police officer can tell nobody is in the driver seat. ^[1] Emergency personnel need to be able to recognize that state, and as of this article there is no standardized messaging that says a vehicle is driving itself. ^[1]

The proposal comes as NHTSA released changes to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, rewriting rules to fit autonomous vehicles. ^[2]

What the lighting rule says

The regulation states the lights should turn on when the car is operating autonomously and turn off when it is not. ^[1] They should never be on when a driver is actively driving. ^[1]

The lights must turn on and off simultaneously and be visible from any angle. ^[1] The rule calls for markers on the front, sides and rear, all at least 15 inches off the ground. ^[1]

The auto industry already uses red, amber, white, and flashing blue/red lights for functions such as brakes, turn signals, headlights, and emergency vehicles. ^[2]

Other changes in the draft

The draft updates Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards to allow flexibility for operations that autonomous vehicles will not use. ^[1] The updated rules delete the turn signal auto-cancel requirement for autonomous cars, which have no steering wheels. ^[1]

NHTSA also proposes removing requirements for physical hazard switches, manual beam shifters, and turn levers inside vehicles. ^[2] It would update the 12.8-volt testing standard for modern LED architectures. ^[2]

Headlight rules change too. ^[1] The draft alters certain requirements to allow more design flexibility, and NHTSA is considering removing requirements dictating whether high-beam lights sit above or below low-beam lights. ^[1][2]

The wider push and the Cybercab audit

The broader Department of Transportation push aims to make it easier for automakers to build cars without traditional controls such as steering wheels and pedals. ^[2]

Last month NHTSA opened an audit query into the Tesla Cybercab. ^[2] It examines the process and technical data Tesla relied on when certifying the vehicle. ^[2] The audit concerns the absence of sideview mirrors, pedals, and steering wheel, which are required under FMVSS. ^[2]

In another case, a steering-wheel-less car was subject to an immediate NHTSA investigation after it was put into service without forewarning. ^[1] NHTSA pointed out numerous problems. ^[1]