STUTTGART (March 5, 2025) — Mercedes-Benz has become the first automaker to receive approval to test special marker lights for automated driving in Germany, marking another milestone in the country’s leadership in autonomous vehicle technology.
The special exemption, granted by the Stuttgart Regional Council, allows the automaker to integrate turquoise marker lights into test vehicles nationwide until July 2028. These lights, embedded in the front and rear lights as well as the side indicators, will illuminate when the company’s Level 3 automated driving system, DRIVE PILOT, is activated.
“We take a holistic approach to automated driving development at Mercedes-Benz, considering aspects whose significance grows with increasing fleet size,” said Markus Schäfer, Chief Technology Officer at Mercedes-Benz. “The use of marker lights and the communication between the vehicle and its surroundings is the next evolutionary milestone for Mercedes-Benz. I am proud that this special exemption acknowledges our efforts to promote acceptance and trust in this technology.”
Germany was the first country to permit conditionally automated driving (SAE Level 3) and granted Mercedes-Benz the world’s first internationally valid type approval for such technology in 2021.
Why Turquoise?
Mercedes-Benz is pushing to establish turquoise as the global color for automated driving. The hue has already been included in various regulatory frameworks, including SAE J3134, UNECE, and China Compulsory Certification.
Turquoise was selected based on research showing that it is easily distinguishable from existing vehicle lighting, traffic signals, and emergency lights. Studies also indicate that drivers recognize and process turquoise lighting faster than other colors.
U.S. Testing and Future Implementation
The United States has already approved similar testing. Since late 2023, Mercedes-Benz has been evaluating the marker lights in Nevada and California. The German exemption will further contribute to shaping the legal framework for mass implementation.
At the end of 2024, Mercedes-Benz introduced an updated version of DRIVE PILOT, allowing conditionally automated driving at speeds of up to 95 km/h (59 mph) on the right lane of highways in Germany, making it the fastest Level 3 system in a production vehicle.
The company will use test vehicles to evaluate the marker lights’ impact, providing insights that may help pave the way for full regulatory approval and broader adoption of automated driving technologies.
