Small blue lights are not banned but must be used in a regulated manner. Currently, only two L3 models are approved.

Abstract:

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology recently released five mandatory national standards for public comment, including clear new regulations for autonomous driving ADS sign lights, commonly known as "little blue lights":

Only L3 and above autonomous driving models are allowed to optionally install this sign light, and L2 and below vehicles with assisted driving are prohibited from installing or lighting them.

The consultation draft makes it clear that the small blue light is a blue-green special identification light. The switching authority is given to the automatic driving system and cannot be manually controlled by the driver.

When the L3 autonomous driving function is activated, the small blue light automatically lights up to convey to surrounding vehicles and pedestrians that the current vehicle is in the autonomous driving takeover state. Once the autonomous driving system exits, downgrades, and takes over, all ADS sign lights must automatically turn off simultaneously.

As of now, there are only two L3 models that have received official approval and are legal for trial use on the road in China:

One is the Changan Deep Blue SL03, which is limited to enabling L3 on designated expressway sections in Chongqing, with a top speed of 50km/h, and only supports autonomous driving in single-lane congested traffic conditions; the other is the Extreme Fox Alpha S. The pilot area is on some expressway sections in Beijing, with a maximum speed of 80km/h, and is also limited to single-lane use.

It is worth noting that neither model is a mass-produced version for retail sales to ordinary consumers, and is only being operated as a pilot in designated areas.

In the past, many L2 models were equipped with small blue lights, which could easily mislead other road participants and make car owners relax their attention. After the new regulations are implemented, the legal boundaries of L2 assisted driving and L3 autonomous driving will be clarified, and the current chaotic situation of the use of small blue lights will also be ended.