Lorraine Williamson
Drivers in Spain are being urged to brush up on the small rules that can still prove expensive, especially as the weather begins to change and more people head out for spring road trips. The biggest one is the V16 warning beacon, which became the only legal way to signal a vehicle immobilised on the carriageway from 1 January 2026. The DGT says the connected V16 device must be carried in the vehicle and replaces the old warning triangles for breakdowns on the road.
That matters because some of the headlines circulating online have muddied the rule. The official position is not that drivers are fined simply for keeping the device in the glove compartment. In fact, DGT guidance says the V16 should be carried in the vehicle and explains that it can be placed without the driver needing to step onto the road. The issue comes when a breakdown or immobilisation is not signalled correctly under the current rules.
What the V16 rule now means in Spain
The DGT says the connected V16 device has been mandatory since 1 January 2026 and is now the only legal means of warning other road users when a vehicle is immobilised on the carriageway. It replaces the traditional warning triangles in those situations. The safety rationale is straightforward: drivers can activate and place the beacon without walking down the road, reducing the risk of being hit while outside the vehicle.
DGT technical guidance also states that the V16 device must be carried in the glove compartment of every vehicle, ready to be used if needed. The connected version transmits the vehicle’s location through the DGT 3.0 platform once activated.
The fine drivers should actually be thinking about
Spain’s traffic rules do not list a standalone offence called “keeping the beacon in the glove compartment”. The more relevant risk is failing to comply properly with breakdown signalling and general safety obligations when the vehicle is immobilised.
There is also a broader rule that gives officers room to act when a driver is not maintaining the freedom of movement, field of vision and constant attention needed for safe driving. That obligation appears in Article 18 of the General Traffic Regulations, and the official BOE sanctions table lists the related penalty at €90 for this specific offence.
Flip-flops, coats and other mistakes drivers should avoid
This is where many spring and summer motoring stories go wrong. Flip-flops, sandals and bulky coats are not specifically named as separately banned items in the traffic code, but the DGT repeatedly warns against footwear and clothing that interfere with safe control of the car. Its driving advice says motorists should avoid flip-flops, sandals, high heels and rigid shoes, and also warns that thick winter coats can stop the seatbelt from fitting correctly and reduce its effectiveness.
Drivers should also remember that even one earbud or AirPod is not allowed while driving in Spain.
So the real point is practical rather than theatrical. A driver is not fined for owning flip-flops or wearing a coat on a cold morning. The problem comes if footwear, clothing or anything else compromises pedal control, movement, visibility or safe use of the seatbelt. That is where the general driver-obligation rule comes into play.
Why this matters more in spring
This is exactly the time of year when these details start catching people out. Early starts can still feel cold enough for thick coats, while afternoons begin to tempt drivers into lighter shoes, sandals or quick short-hop habits that feel harmless. The DGT’s own guidance makes clear that both clothing and footwear affect how safely a person can drive, even on everyday local journeys.
For many readers, the more useful message is not “beware of strange fines” but “do not let comfort or routine undermine control of the vehicle”. That includes making sure the V16 beacon is in the car, accessible, and ready to use properly if there is a breakdown.
The safest takeaway for drivers in Spain
The simplest way to stay on the right side of the rules is to treat the V16 as standard equipment, not an optional extra. Keep a certified connected beacon in the vehicle, know how to use it, and do not assume the old triangle routine still applies on the carriageway. At the same time, wear footwear that lets you control the pedals properly and avoid clothing that restricts movement or weakens the seatbelt’s fit.
Spain’s motoring rules are not always about dramatic new penalties. Often, they come down to whether a driver can show they were in full control and properly prepared. In 2026, that starts with the V16.