# China autonomous vehicle regulation and safety standards > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/china-autonomous-vehicle-regulation > Updated: 2026-08-31T03:34:36.000Z. Sources: 33. Developments: 5. In late July 2026, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) prohibited the blue indicator lights used under the GB 4785 standard to signal activation of advanced driver-assistance systems, requiring manufacturers to remove or modify them for new-model approvals. This ban targets lights used by brands such as Li Auto, Aito, Xpeng, Nio, and BYD, which regulators noted could distract road users or encourage over-reliance on autonomous functions. In early August 2026, MIIT issued the mandatory national safety standard GB 44721-2026 for level-3 and level-4 automated driving functions on Class M and Class N vehicles. Effective 1 July 2027, the rule obliges manufacturers to implement safety-assurance mechanisms across design, production, and post-deployment, including simulations, road testing, and driver-readiness monitoring. On 4 August, MIIT clarified that the ban also extends to turquoise exterior lights, citing similar distraction concerns. By late August 2026, China began advancing a major revision of its Road Traffic Safety Law, including a dedicated chapter for autonomous vehicles to replace local regulations with a unified framework for testing and liability. This legislative move follows incidents such as a 2025 fatal crash and a system failure in Wuhan involving Baidu robotaxis. Additionally, the State Administration for Market Regulation approved standard GB 1589-2026, which introduces new dimension exemptions for sensors like radar and cameras to support autonomous perception and vehicle-road coordination. ## Claims - China issued a mandatory national standard (GB 44721—2026) for safety requirements of automated driving systems. (corroborated by 10 sources) - The standard applies to Class M and Class N vehicles equipped with level 3 or level 4 autonomous driving systems. (corroborated by 10 sources) - The standard will take effect on 1 July 2027. (corroborated by 10 sources) - The standard does not cover automated parking systems. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Manufacturers must implement safety‑assurance mechanisms across the product lifecycle and conduct simulations, field and road tests. (corroborated by 10 sources) - For level‑3 systems, vehicles must monitor the driver’s readiness to take over control. (corroborated by 10 sources) - The standard requires clear human‑machine interaction rules, including system‑status notifications and safe activation/deactivation procedures. (corroborated by 10 sources) - The ministry will strengthen market‑access management and improve testing methods for intelligent connected vehicles. (corroborated by 10 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-31: China issues new vehicle dimension standards to support autonomous driving China has released the GB 1589-2026 automotive standard, relaxing dimension limits for sensors like radar and cameras to support autonomous driving and intelligent vehicle technologies. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-issues-new-vehicle-dimension-standards-to-support-autonomous-driving ### 2026-08-25: China drafts national law to regulate autonomous vehicles China is drafting national legislation to regulate autonomous vehicles, establishing a unified framework for liability, safety standards, and the operation of self-driving technology and robotaxis. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-drafts-national-law-to-regulate-autonomous-vehicles ### 2026-08-04: China imposes stricter autonomous‑vehicle regulations and bans turquoise indicator lights China's MIIT introduced stricter autonomous‑vehicle rules effective July 2027, mandating driver‑takeover systems and detailed safety procedures, and also banned turquoise lights used to signal autonomous mode. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-imposes-stricter-autonomousvehicle-regulations-and-bans-turquoise-indicator-lights ### 2026-08-04: China adopts mandatory safety standard for autonomous driving systems China's MIIT issued a mandatory safety standard (GB 44721—2026) for level 3‑4 autonomous driving in class M/N vehicles, effective 1 July 2027, requiring lifecycle safety assurance, driver‑takeover monitoring, & 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-adopts-mandatory-safety-standards-for-autonomous-vehicles ### 2026-07-31: China bans blue ADAS indicator lights on vehicles China’s MIIT will ban blue ADAS indicator lights on vehicles, citing the GB4785 standard that permits only white, red, yellow and amber. The ban, effective August 2026, may force EV makers to adjust lights. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-bans-blue-adas-indicator-lights-on-vehicles --- Cite as: China autonomous vehicle regulation and safety standards. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/china-autonomous-vehicle-regulation