China's draft standard bars ADS marker lights on vehicles below L3 automated driving
In short
On 20 October the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology published a draft standard on vehicle external lighting for public comment. It says vehicles without an L3 or higher automated driving system may not fit ADS marker lights, the so-called "little blue lights", and sets blue-green as the colour for these lights. The draft proposes entry into force on 1 January 2028.
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On 20 October the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's Equipment Industry Department I published a draft of the installation requirements for external lighting and light-signalling devices of vehicles and trailers, for public comment. The draft states that vehicles without an L3 or higher automated driving system may not fit ADS marker lights, and that the dedicated colour for these lights is blue-green. Yicai noted that L2 driver-assistance signal lights had mostly been blue. IT Home said the draft is one of five mandatory national standards, including Automotive Data Security Requirements, put out for comment. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
According to the draft, all ADS marker lights must switch on together and automatically when an automated driving function of level 3 or higher is activated, and stay lit while the system is active. They must not light when the vehicle is running L2 or lower functions, must switch off automatically when the system exits, and may not be switched on or off manually. Vehicles with an L3 or higher system that meets GB 44721 may be fitted with front, rear and side ADS marker lights. Trailers used with L3 or higher tractors may be fitted with rear and side lights. Caixin, by contrast, wrote that L3 and higher vehicles need to be fitted with the light. [ 2 , 5 , 8 , 10 ]
Jiemian added that the draft bars undefined lights from being lit on public roads when ADS is not enabled, and limits which other lamps ADS lights may be combined with. ADS marker lights may not integrate a luminous emblem. Yicai reported further rules: lamps may not display text, light patterns may not form faces or other human-like figures, and lamps may not be switched off by gesture or voice. Lamps switched on by voice must come with an indication of where the manual switch is. [ 2 , 7 , 8 ]
The drafting notes propose that the standard take effect on 1 January 2028. Yicai and cnBeta say some clauses, such as headlamp levelling devices, get transition periods of up to 49 months; Jiemian says the longest is 48 months. Jiemian reports that feedback is due by 19 December 2026. [ 2 , 7 , 8 ]
On the background, Yicai reported that several carmakers received word in July that L2 "little blue lights" would be banned. The China Automotive Standardization Research Institute then said in an announcement that the lights can dazzle other road users and make it easier for others to cut in or tailgate. Jiemian wrote that from 27 July the ministry no longer allowed new passenger car applications with a factory-fitted external blue driving-assistance light, and Caixin said carmakers were notified on 29 July. A car expert told Yicai that European rules allow external indicator lights only for L3 and higher vehicles, and that banning L2 blue lights is necessary. [ 2 , 7 , 8 , 10 ]
Why it matters
Outlets describe the draft as the official position on the "little blue lights" that many L2 driver-assistance vehicles carry. It would give the lights a defined place in the standard, limited to L3 and higher systems. The text is still open for comment until 19 December 2026.
Key facts
- The ministry's Equipment Industry Department I published the draft "Installation Requirements for External Lighting and Light-Signalling Devices of Vehicles and Trailers" on 20 October. [ 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 ]
- Vehicles without an L3 or higher automated driving system are prohibited from fitting ADS marker lights. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- The dedicated colour for ADS marker lights is blue-green; L2 assistance signal lights had mostly been blue. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- The lights must switch on automatically when the L3 or higher function is active and go off when the system exits; manual switching on or off is prohibited. [ 2 , 5 , 7 , 8 ]
- The draft is part of five mandatory national standards, including Automotive Data Security Requirements, put out for public comment. [ 1 , 7 ]
- The draft proposes implementation from 1 January 2028, with transition periods for some clauses. [ 2 , 7 , 8 ]
- The comment deadline is 19 December 2026, according to Jiemian. [ 7 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The ministry's draft prohibits fitting ADS marker lights on vehicles without an L3 or higher automated driving system. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- The draft sets blue-green as the dedicated colour for ADS marker lights. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 10 ]
- Vehicles with an L3 or higher system that meet GB 44721 may be fitted with front, rear and side ADS marker lights; for trailers used with L3 or higher tractors, rear and side lights. [ 2 , 5 , 6 , 8 ]
- Several carmakers received word in July that L2 "little blue lights" would be banned, and the China Automotive Standardization Research Institute then issued an announcement citing light misuse and safety risk. [ 2 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]
- The draft also bars lights from displaying text and from forming face-like patterns, and restricts gesture and voice control of lights. [ 2 , 7 , 8 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the lights are optional or required for L3 and higher vehicles. Yicai, Jiemian, IT Home and cnBeta say such vehicles may fit them (optional), while Caixin says L3 and higher vehicles need to be fitted with the marker light.
- Length of the transition period. Yicai and cnBeta say up to 49 months, while Jiemian says up to 48 months.
- Whether the lights are "banned" or regulated. Several outlets say L2 lights are officially banned, while a cnBeta headline says the lights are not banned but must be used in a regulated way; the cnBeta item also says only two L3 models are currently approved, which only its headline states.
- Whether the draft will change before it is finalised. It is a consultation draft; the documents give no final text.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- IT Home reports the ministry's draft standards and the L3 requirement for ADS marker lights. [ 1 ]
- Yicai publishes detailed coverage of the draft installation requirements. [ 2 ]
- Jiemian reports the comment deadline of 19 December 2026 and the 2028 implementation date. [ 7 ]
- cnBeta says the lights are not banned but must be used in a regulated way. [ 9 ]
- Caixin reports that L3 and higher vehicles need to be fitted with a blue-green marker light. [ 10 ]