Mercedes-Benz Begins Testing Special Marker Lights for Autonomous Vehicles in Germany

Mercedes-Benz has received approval to test turquoise marker lights on autonomous vehicles in Germany. Learn how this technology improves road safety and visibility for other drivers.

Mercedes-Benz has received official approval to test special turquoise marker lights on vehicles equipped with automated driving systems in Germany. This initiative aims to enhance road safety and improve the integration of autonomous vehicles into traffic.

These lights will allow road users—whether pedestrians, other drivers, or traffic authorities—to clearly recognize when a vehicle is operating in autonomous mode. The choice of turquoise is deliberate, as it does not overlap with existing road signal colors, reducing the risk of confusion.

This development complements Mercedes-Benz’s ongoing efforts in automated driving technology. The company’s DRIVE PILOT system enables vehicles to take over driving responsibilities under certain conditions. It features an advanced sensor suite, including LiDAR, cameras, microphones, and humidity sensors, along with highly precise positioning technology that surpasses standard GPS accuracy. DRIVE PILOT has already been approved for use in California and Nevada, and now the testing of special marker lights extends to German roads.

Beyond Germany, Mercedes-Benz is pushing the boundaries of autonomous driving on a global scale. In 2024, the company secured approval to operate DRIVE PILOT at speeds of up to 95 km/h on German autobahns, with the system set to become available in S-Class and EQS models starting in spring 2025.

A crucial aspect of this rollout is regulatory adaptation. Germany is one of the few countries with a national framework governing autonomous driving. In 2022, a law was passed allowing Level 4 autonomous vehicles to operate in designated zones. In 2024, further legislative changes paved the way for broader implementation of automated driving technologies.

It remains unclear whether turquoise marker lights will become an industry-wide standard or remain a Mercedes-Benz trademark feature. However, their introduction represents another significant step toward making autonomous driving more transparent and safely integrated into everyday traffic.

Source: mercedes-benz.com