Lorraine Williamson
Spain is preparing for one of the biggest changes to its roadside safety rules in decades. From January 2026, the V16 emergency beacon replaces the traditional warning triangle, a device that has been part of Spanish motoring life for generations.
The shift is not cosmetic. It responds to a growing body of evidence showing that walking onto the roadside to position a triangle poses a serious risk to drivers. Consequently, the DGT has spent several years discouraging its use, and the upcoming rule makes clear that a safer, digitised system is now taking over.
Why Spain is abandoning the warning triangle
Across the country, authorities have recorded repeated incidents of motorists stepping out of their vehicles only to be struck by passing traffic. Moreover, these cases often happen on motorways or dual carriageways where visibility is poor and reaction times are short. By contrast, a V16 beacon can be positioned on the roof from inside the vehicle, reducing exposure to danger. The beacon emits a strong, 360-degree light visible for a kilometre and can cut through fog, rain or darkness far more effectively than reflective triangles.
A connected device for a modern traffic system
What sets the V16 beacon apart is not only the light but its ability to send a real-time alert to the DGT 3.0 platform. A built-in SIM card transmits the vehicle’s location the moment the device is activated. Emergency services receive that information automatically, and nearby drivers using navigation apps will see a digital hazard warning long before reaching the breakdown. Spain has been building this connected traffic network for several years, and the V16 forms a crucial link in that chain.
How to recognise an approved V16 emergency beacon
Not every beacon sold online or in shops is legal. Only models that meet strict technical and connectivity standards are recognised by the DGT. A valid device must remain visible at long range, operate reliably for more than half an hour and maintain geolocation capability for at least twelve years without extra subscription fees. Most importantly, its approval must come from one of two official institutions.
Models tested by the Laboratorio Central Oficial de Electrotecnia display an approval code that begins with LCOE, followed by 12 digits. Devices certified by IDIADA, the international automotive testing centre in Catalonia, show the inscription IDIADA PC plus eight digits. These markings confirm the beacon has passed the required performance and connectivity tests, and without them, the device is not legally compliant.
Common signs a beacon is not approved
The market is already filled with cheap alternatives that resemble genuine devices but do not meet the legal standard. Therefore, prices well below €20 are usually the first warning sign. Many of these beacons also lack any meaningful approval code or display combinations of letters and numbers that do not appear on the DGT’s official list. Some early models were sold without integrated SIM cards, but these will no longer be valid once the new rules come into force.
Who is obliged to carry the new beacon?
The new requirement applies to the full range of vehicles registered in Spain and covered by the General Vehicle Regulations. That includes everyday passenger cars, vans, lorries, buses and mixed-use vehicles, all of which must carry an approved V16 beacon from 2026. Motorcycles, mopeds, agricultural machinery and certain specialist vehicles remain exempt, although safety organisations — and the DGT itself — still consider the beacon a sensible precaution, particularly in poor visibility or rural areas.
A further point worth noting concerns cross-border travel. Any vehicle registered in Spain and circulating in another country that has signed the relevant international road safety conventions may legally use the connected V16 beacon without carrying traditional warning triangles. Spain’s system is accepted under those agreements, meaning drivers do not need to switch back to older devices when travelling abroad. Conversely, foreign-plated vehicles entering Spain may continue using warning triangles for the time being. However, the DGT encourages adoption of the V16 wherever possible, arguing that the connected alert system offers far better protection than reflective triangles alone.
Where to buy a compliant beacon with confidence
Spain’s major retailers have already begun stocking approved models. Carrefour, El Corte Inglés, Leroy Merlin and Correos all carry devices that meet official standards. These physical outlets tend to provide clearer labelling, but even so, motorists should read the approval code carefully and confirm it against the DGT’s published list. Online purchases require more caution, as some sellers use decorative markings or vague descriptions that obscure whether the beacon is genuinely certified.
The real cost of choosing cheaply
A cut-price beacon may feel like a bargain, but its limitations become painfully clear in an emergency. A non-approved device does not send any signal to DGT 3.0, cannot provide the digital warning zone that protects other drivers and may lead to a €200 fine. An approved V16 beacon is designed to last more than a decade; viewed over that period, the cost of a certified model is minimal compared with the risks of relying on a faulty one.
Spain’s roads are entering a new connected era
The arrival of the V16 marks the beginning of a more integrated approach to roadside safety in Spain. As more vehicles connect to DGT 3.0, alerts will be quicker, roadside workers will be safer, and drivers will receive clearer warnings of hazards ahead. Choosing an approved V16 emergency beacon is not simply a legal requirement — it is a practical step towards a safer, more modern road network.
Sources: EuropaPress, DGT