Mercedes-Benz just got approval to use turquoise lights on their cars to signal when autonomous driving is active. They're the first automaker in the US to get this, and I think it's actually a smart idea.

Vehicle lights have been pretty standardized forever - white for headlights, red for brake lights, orange for turn signals. Blue's reserved for police. Mercedes managed to convince regulators in California and Nevada that turquoise makes sense for self-driving modes, which is a bigger deal than it sounds.

In California, they can test these lights for two years. Nevada's already letting them use it on 2026 production models. The lights only turn on when Drive Pilot, their Level 3 system, is active. Level 3 is interesting because it actually lets you take your eyes off the road - but only in specific conditions. Heavy traffic on certain highways, under 40 MPH, daytime, clear weather, no construction zones. You still have to stay in the driver's seat and be ready to take over.

The turquoise light tells other drivers "Hey, this car's driving itself right now." Without it, people might panic seeing someone in a Mercedes scrolling their phone in traffic. With it, there's at least a visual cue that something different is happening.

Drive Pilot-equipped EQS and S-Class models are coming to California and Nevada dealers in early 2024. The real question is whether this lighting standard catches on with other manufacturers or if we end up with a chaotic rainbow of autonomous vehicle signals.