The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) authorized Aurora Operations and other operators meeting specific conditions to use amber beacons installed in the cab instead of emergency reflective triangles on certain trucks equipped with Level 4 automated driving systems. This measure does not apply to conventional trucks.
The exemption was published on October 9, 2026, in the Federal Register, but it is effective from October 7, 2026, and will expire on October 7, 2031. The decision is outlined in document 2026-20734 from the FMCSA, file FMCSA-2026-0958.
Which trucks can benefit from the measure?
The authorization covers commercial vehicles from Aurora equipped with Level 4 automation, as well as those from other companies with equivalent vehicles that notify the FMCSA in writing of their intention to utilize the exemption and demonstrate compliance with its conditions.
At Level 4, the automated system can drive within a defined operational domain. Therefore, the permission to use the beacons is limited to the validated operational domain of each vehicle: it does not authorize unrestricted autonomous driving throughout the United States.
The beacons must emit amber flashes forward and backward from designated mounting points in the cabin, meet specific luminous intensity requirements, and have redundant electrical power supply. When it is necessary to signal a stop on the roadway or shoulder, they must be activated as soon as possible and, in any case, within the first five minutes. They must remain illuminated during the stop and operate alongside the emergency hazard lights.
The exemption cannot be used to transport passengers or hazardous materials. Eligible operators will also be required to submit annual reports and notify the FMCSA within five days of certain accidents related to situations where the beacons were activated or should have been activated.
Objections from truckers and safety associations
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) opposed the request. It questioned whether the evidence provided sufficiently represented the diversity of weather conditions, lighting, traffic, and roadways. Other organizations raised concerns about potential visibility issues on curves or slopes and when the position of the trailer obstructs the lights.
The FMCSA, on the other hand, considered that Aurora's previous studies and test data, along with the requirements and controls now established, allow for an anticipated level of safety equivalent to or higher than that of traditional devices. The agency also emphasized that the system eliminates the need to exit the vehicle to place triangles alongside traffic.
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