What are the lights for?
External automated-driving marker lamps are intended to show other road users when an automated driving system is performing the driving task. Turquoise has been proposed and trialled because it is visually distinct from established red, amber and white vehicle-light functions.
Do they mean “self-driving” everywhere?
No. Standards, approvals and permitted use vary by jurisdiction and continue to develop. A manufacturer trial or approval in Europe or the United States does not make turquoise a universal Australian road signal.
The absence of turquoise lights also does not prove that no assistance or automation is active. Drivers and technicians must identify the actual system and applicable local requirements.
Workshop implications
Where marker lamps are fitted and approved, repairs to lamps, body panels, wiring, control units or software may require diagnostic and functional checks. Use the vehicle procedure; do not attempt an unsafe road test merely to demonstrate an automated mode.
Key point
Turquoise may become a recognisable automated-driving signal, but today its meaning depends on the specific vehicle and legal jurisdiction.