Spain to Mandate V16 Connected Emergency Beacons Starting 2026

Starting January 1, 2026, all drivers must carry the V16 luminous emergency device. This change marks a major shift in road safety, as the new beacon replaces traditional emergency triangles. The device features built-in connectivity with the DGT 3.0 platform, which automatically shares the vehicle's location to alert other drivers of an incident.

This rule applies to passenger cars, mixed-use vehicles, and goods transport vehicles weighing up to 3,500 kilograms. To ensure safety and reliability, the Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) regularly updates its list of approved devices, occasionally removing models that no longer meet technical standards.

If you have already purchased a device that was later removed from the official list, you do not need to worry. The DGT has confirmed that you can continue using these units until they reach the end of their lifespan without facing any penalties. You will only be fined—a penalty of 200 euros—if you fail to carry an approved device in your vehicle at all.

This regulation is designed to improve road safety by keeping drivers inside their vehicles during emergencies. By using a connected beacon, drivers no longer need to step out onto the road to manually place warning triangles, a task that has historically been dangerous on busy highways. To check if your device is approved, you can visit the official DGT website for the most recent list of authorized models.