V16 Emergency Beacon Rule Takes Effect, but Not Without Early Confusion

From January 1st 2026, Spain officially entered a new era of roadside safety. The long-familiar emergency warning triangles have been retired, replaced by the V16 emergency warning beacon, a small flashing device designed to improve visibility and reduce the risk to stranded drivers.

Under the new regulation, all vehicles registered in Spain must use an approved V16 beacon when immobilised on the side of the road, instead of placing a warning triangle. The beacon, which emits a high-intensity flashing light and communicates the vehicle’s location to traffic authorities via the DGT 3.0 platform, can be activated without the driver leaving the car.

Drivers who fail to carry a connected and approved V16 beacon risk a fine of up to 80 euros. And authorities have taken the opportunity to remind motorists that another obligation carries a much steeper penalty. Failing to wear a reflective vest when exiting the vehicle in the event of an accident or emergency can result in a 200-euro fine and the loss of four points from the driver’s licence.

However, while the change has been years in the making, the rollout has been less seamless than expected. Just days before the V16 beacon became mandatory, Spain’s traffic authority, the DGT, announced that four previously approved models had been removed from the official validity list.

The affected devices are the Don Feliz V16IoT, The Boutique For Your Car V16IoT and Ikrea V16IoT, all manufactured in China by Yuyao Jiming Electronic for Ledel Solutions, as well as the Call SOS XL-HZ-001-VC, produced in Spain by Ditraimon. These models can no longer be sold as approved V16 beacons.

Importantly, the DGT clarified that drivers who had already purchased any of these units can continue using them legally throughout their useful life. Ownership remains valid; only new sales are prohibited. Motorists planning to buy a V16 beacon are advised to check that the device is currently approved and connected to DGT 3.0. The up-to-date list of approved models is available on the DGT’s official website here.

Further uncertainty prompted another statement from the DGT after many drivers asked whether traditional warning triangles could still be used alongside the new beacon. The authority confirmed that drivers must use the officially approved V16 device to signal an emergency, in addition to activating hazard warning lights and, where appropriate, position or side lights. However, it added a conciliatory note: if a warning triangle is placed on the road, it will not be considered an obstacle and will not be subject to a penalty. In other words, triangles are no longer required, but neither are they forbidden.