From the beginning of 2026, drivers on Spanish roads have been navigating a new road safety scenario: the V-16 emergency beacon It has become the mandatory device for signaling breakdowns and accidents, while the old warning triangles are relegated to a secondary role. This regulatory change, which affects almost 30 million vehicles, has brought with it not only doubts but also the first sanctions for non-compliance.
Meanwhile, many users have learned the hard way that, although technology advances, the reflective vest It remains untouchable under Spanish regulations. The combination of forgetting the V-16 or using a non-approved one and not putting on a reflective vest when getting out of the car can lead to... fines reaching 280 eurosin addition to the possible loss of points on the driving license in the most serious cases.
V-16 mandatory: what the law requires and since when…
The Directorate General of Traffic reminds drivers that The V-16 beacon is mandatory from January 1, 2026 to signal vehicles immobilized due to breakdown or accident on the road. This light device is placed on the roof of the car, allowing the driver to avoid walking along the road to signal the incident, as was the case with warning triangles. According to the DGT (Spanish Directorate General of Traffic), the main objective is reduce the risk of being run over upon exiting the vehicle.
The Director General of Traffic, Pere Navarro, has been clear on this point: if a driver stops due to an incident and does not place the beacon, “He will be reported because it is required by law.”Although there is talk of a “comfortable” adaptation timeNavarro has insisted that the legal obligation is fully in force and that the flexibility period does not exempt from penalty if the rule is not followed.
Flexibility yes, free rein no: the adaptation period…
The official statements have generated some confusion between flexibility and obligationThe Ministry of the Interior has spoken of a period in which priority would be given to informing the driver about the penalty, while the DGT (Spanish Directorate General of Traffic) emphasizes that the The rule has been in effect since day one and that the fines are legally valid. Spokespeople for Civil Guard associations have acknowledged that this lack of clear instructions places officers in a dilemma. to punish or to turn a blind eye without written support.
In practice, this means that some drivers may find agents more understanding in the first few months, but the absence of approved V-16 beacon Failure to use it during a breakdown remains an offense. Any fines imposed during this time will apply. are fully validalthough there is some room for roadside education.
The other half of the equation: the reflective vest…
Where there is no room for maneuver is in the use of high-visibility reflective vestThe General Traffic Regulations, in article 118, require drivers of passenger cars, mixed vehicles, goods vehicles, buses and other vehicle combinations to use this vest when they exit the vehicle and occupy the roadway or shoulder on intercity roadsFurthermore, it must be certified according to Royal Decree 1407/1992, which regulates personal protective equipment.
Not having a safety vest at the time of a breakdown, or storing it in a way that forces you to get out of the car without wearing it, can lead to fines of between 80 and 200 eurosIn the most serious cases, for example walking on the roadway of a highway without the garment, the infraction is considered serious and may result in A €200 fine and the loss of 4 points on your driving licenseCivil Guard officers remind everyone that this obligation is not new and that Many drivers continue to fail at something so basic how to have the vest handy inside the passenger compartment.
A real case: a €200 fine despite wearing the beacon…
The theory has found a practical example in a recent incident, which has spread like wildfire among drivers: a motorist was fined 200 euros Despite having correctly placed his V-16 beacon on the vehicle's roof, the problem wasn't with the light device itself, but with the driver. He got out of the car to check the breakdown without putting on his reflective vest..
This episode highlights a widespread misinterpretation: many believe that, by being able to activate the V-16 by sticking their arm out the window, There is no longer a real obligation to use other personal protective measuresThe regulations, however, are unequivocal: the moment a person sets foot on the roadway or shoulder of an intercity road, The vest becomes mandatoryThe €200 fine in this case, without points being deducted but with an impact on the wallet, has become a very graphic reminder that technology does not replace human visibility.
Fines that add up: up to 280 euros for a single incident…
The obligations to carry the V-16 beacon and the reflective vest are independent of each otherThis means that, for the same incident on the road, a driver can accumulate several penalties if they violate both rules. Not carrying the V-16 or using a non-approved one carries a fine of 80 EurosIf, in addition, he gets out of the vehicle without a vest or doesn't even have one in the car, the DGT can impose a fine. up to an additional 200 euros.
In total, the bill can reach a total of 280 euros for a single breakdown...without considering potentially more serious consequences if the driver's behavior poses a clear risk to other road users. Traffic officers emphasize that the V-16 It protects the car by making it visible from afar, while the reflective vest is the element that protects the person when he becomes a pedestrian in a particularly dangerous environment.
Connected beacons, misgivings, and outdated models…
The implementation of the connected V-16 has also generated debate. The models required by the DGT (Spanish Directorate General of Traffic) must incorporate a internal SIM card It is capable of sending the vehicle's position to the DGT 3.0 platform when the beacon is activated. This allows roadside signs to warn of a stopped vehicle, thus improving traffic management and safety.
Many drivers have shown their misgivings about this connectivity, considering that it involves sharing their location at times of particular vulnerability. At the same time, the DGT has had to revoke the validity of the certificate for several models due to administrative issues on the part of the manufacturers, which has generated even more confusion among those who had purchased these beacons to comply with regulations. To clarify the situation, the Traffic Authority has added a category to its registry of “certificates without expiration date” And remember that, in models that passed the tests and do not present a technical fault, their use is permitted until the end of their useful life.
Where to carry the beacon and life jacket to avoid problems…
Beyond the purchase, the DGT insists that the location of beacon V-16 Inside the vehicle is key. The device must be in a location easily accessible from the inside, usually the glove compartment or a door pocket, so it can be mounted on the roof. without needing to step onto the road in the first moments of an emergency. The same applies to the reflective vest: storing it in the trunk forces you to get out of the car without it, which means a practical non-compliance with the standard and may lead to a sanction.
In the case of the Canary Islands and the rest of the autonomous communities, the Traffic Department is reinforcing information campaigns to remind people that the V-16 is now the only legal means of signaling. For vehicles immobilized on the road. The general recommendation is clear: having an approved beacon, connected as required, and a vest accessible from the driver's seat reduces the risk of accidents and avoids unpleasant surprises with fines.
With the introduction of the V-16 beacon, the road emergency scenario has changed, but the underlying issue remains the same: be visible and anticipate danger This is what makes the difference between a scare and a tragedy. Carrying a valid V-16 warning triangle, using it whenever the vehicle is stopped due to a breakdown or accident, and not forgetting the reflective vest when leaving the car allows you to comply with the law, avoid fines that can reach 280 euros, and, above all, move around more safely in one of the most challenging environments for any driver.