CA SB480: Autonomous vehicles.

In one paragraph

California's SB 480 lets autonomous vehicles, from January 1, 2026, be equipped with automated driving system (ADS) marker lamps, which emit a light showing when the ADS is engaged in operating the vehicle, built to SAE International standards J3134 (May 2019) and J578 (April 2020), as revised. It exempts these lamps from the Vehicle Code rules that front lighting be white or yellow and rear lighting be red. The lamps are optional. Signed October 6, 2025 (Chapter 415); effective January 1, 2026.

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What it means for business

Autonomous vehicle makers and operators may, but need not, fit ADS marker lamps meeting SAE J3134 and J578 to show when the self-driving system is engaged; the lamps are exempt from the front and rear lamp color rules.

Key provisions

1. 1New Vehicle Code § 38750(i): commencing January 1, 2026, an autonomous vehicle may be equipped with ADS marker lamps in accordance with SAE J3134 (MAY2019) and SAE J578 (APR2020), as may be revised
2. 2ADS marker lamp: a device that emits a light to indicate when an automated driving system is engaged in the operation of the vehicle
3. 3Vehicle Code § 25950: ADS marker lamps on an autonomous vehicle are exceptions to the rules that light visible from the front be white or yellow and light visible from the rear be red
4. 4Permissive only: autonomous vehicles "may" carry the lamps; the act does not require them
5. 5Signed by the Governor October 6, 2025 (Chapter 415, Statutes of 2025); effective January 1, 2026

Latest legislative action

Oct 6, 2025. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 415, Statutes of 2025.

Sponsors (showing 5 of 47)

Roll call votes (showing 3 of 11)