China proposes new car lighting rules, including bans on text displays and voice-controlled light switching

China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) released five draft mandatory national standards for public consultation on 20 October, including a new standard covering automotive data security.

The proposed standards are expected to take effect on 1 January 2028, with a transition period of up to 48 months (four years) for existing vehicle models that have already received regulatory approval.

One of the drafts, covering the installation of exterior lighting and light-signalling devices on cars and trailers, sets out several new requirements for vehicle lighting design and operation.

The proposed changes include:

• No text displays on vehicle lights: Vehicle lights would no longer be allowed to display text, with the exception of illuminated brand logos.
• Restrictions on combining different lights: Turn signals must not be combined with brake lights or rear fog lights. The same restriction would apply to reversing lights, to reduce the risk of confusion for other road users.
• New light colour for automated driving: The draft introduces a dedicated blue-green colour for ADS (Automated Driving System) indicator lights.
• Uniform brightness adjustment: Signal lights with adjustable brightness must dim or brighten as a whole. Manufacturers would not be allowed to adjust brightness by switching individual light sources on or off.
• Restrictions on gesture and voice controls: Gesture controls would not be permitted for essential vehicle lights, while voice commands could not be used to switch them off directly. If voice commands are used to turn lights on, the vehicle must clearly indicate where the manual light switch is located so drivers can operate it when necessary.

With Chinese car brands such as BYD, Chery and GWM becoming increasingly common on Malaysian roads, vehicle safety, build quality and everyday usability are also important considerations for local buyers.

What do you think Chinese carmakers still need to improve? Whether it's safety, build quality or the way certain features work, share your thoughts in the comments.