Spain mandates V-16 emergency beacons from Jan 1st 2026, what does this mean for UK vehicles?

Spain introduced a new law on January 1, 2026, making the V-16 connected emergency beacon mandatory for all spanish regsitered vehicles, replacing traditional warning triangles to boost safety by allowing drivers to signal breakdowns from inside the car. This small, orange flashing light sits on the roof, uses GPS to send your location to traffic authorities (DGT), and must be officially approved for use. While the rule applies to Spanish-registered cars, temporary visitors can still use their home country's triangles, though getting a V-16 is recommended for better safety and compliance. 

What the Law Means for Drivers:

Mandatory Replacement: Standard red warning triangles are no longer sufficient and must be replaced by a V-16 beacon.

Connected & Approved: The beacon must be a "connected" model with a built-in SIM card to transmit your location to Spain's DGT 3.0 traffic platform.

Enhanced Safety: You place the beacon on your car's roof, and it flashes, alerting other drivers without you having to risk walking on the road.

For Visitors: UK/international drivers visiting Spain temporarily can still use their triangles, but the rule is strict for vehicles registered in Spain. 

Why get one now for your UK registered vehicle:

Although not mandatory for UK vehicles visiting Spain there are a few good reasons to get your V-16 beacon ready anyway....

• It is highly likely that the V-16 beacon scheme will be rolled out across the EU within the coming years

• In the event of a breakdown these beacons can be seen up to 1km away making your stranded vehicle much more visible than the existing triangle warning system, especially in rain or poor visibility.

• The V-16 beacon automatically connects to Spanish traffic authorities (DGT) and gives your location, this allows recovery of your vehicle to be quicker and safer.

• As with most things in life the cost of these beacons will potentially only increase over time as other countries implement them.

• You can use your V-16 beacon in any country as a visual warning sign, although the location technology won't work yet the beacon will still illuminate your stranded vehicle.

Key Features of the V-16 Beacon:

Easy to Use: Magnetic or suction mount, placed on the roof or boot.

Real-Time Alerts: Sends your position to the DGT for faster response.

Improved Visibility: 360-degree light visible from afar, especially in bad weather. 

Penalties:

Failure to carry an approved device can lead to fines (e.g., €80 to €200), though an initial grace period may apply, these penalties only apply to Spanish registered vehicles.

Where to Get One:

There are many versions of the V-16 beacon available to buy, here we have some links to the most popular ones -

V16 Light with SIM - £44.99 https://amzn.to/3N5pMUN

Osram V-16 beacon - £48.49 https://amzn.to/497R2ur

FlashLED V-16 beacon - £51.99 https://amzn.to/49tSUg3