General Motors was the first domestic automaker to offer standard automatic Daytime Running Lamps on select U.S. models. Every GM car and light-duty truck is scheduled to be equipped with DRLs in the 1997 model year.

• DRLs illuminate automatically when the driver turns on the ignition.
• DRLs turn off automatically when the ignition is switched off and when the driver turns on the headlamps.
• DRLs consume less energy than the vehicle's full lighting system because only the reduced-power headlamps are on; the taillamps and instrument panel lights are off.
• Approval of DRLs as standard equipment was facilitated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which overcame some states prohibitions against driving with lights on during the day.