On 5 March, Mercedes-Benz got approval for their AD-S lamp with testing purposes through July 2028.
Germany once again underscores its pioneering role in the field of automated driving, having been first to permit conditionally automated (SAE Level 3) driving. Mercedes-Benz seized this opportunity and received the world’s first internationally-valid type approval for conditionally automated driving for their Drive Pilot system at the end of 2021.
The exterior lighting now permitted by special exemption indicates to other road users whether the conditionally automated driving function is activated. This also allows traffic authorities and police to recognize the system status more easily, and discern whether the driver is allowed to engage in non-driving activities. The special marker lights are integrated into the front and rear lights as well as the side indicators in the exterior mirrors. When Drive Pilot is activated, these lights illuminate continuously in turquoise, the international-consensus colour for this function (though there is not yet consensus as to whether AD status indicator lights should be mandatory, optional, or prohibited). Turquoise has already been specified in relevant standards and draft regulations, such as SAE J3134, UN regulatory documents, and Chinese GB standards.
The special exemption granted by the Stuttgart Regional Council is initially valid for testing purposes. Insights gained from this testing phase can contribute to shaping the legal framework that will later enable series production. The U.S. states of Nevada and California granted Mercedes Benz similar exemptions at the end of 2023, and testing is already underway there.
