With the new traffic regulations about to come into effect, many drivers are still wondering What happens if they don't have the V16 beacon in the car? And whether they really face hefty fines. Amid bar conversations, WhatsApp chains, and social media videos, exorbitant fine figures have circulated, along with doubts about the device's very legality.
The Directorate General of Traffic has decided to take action and to clearly clarify the actual amount of the penaltyThe official explained the type of beacon that is valid and how officers will operate during the first few days of implementation. He also took the opportunity to debunk rumors about fines of thousands of euros and mass checkpoints dedicated solely to catching those not using the new lighting system.
Goodbye to the triangles: the V16 beacon will be the only mandatory system
As of January 1, 2026, the Emergency triangles will no longer be the mandatory method to signal a breakdown or accident in Spain. Instead, the only advance warning required by the regulations will be the V16 beacon connected, a small luminous device that is placed on the outside of the vehicle, usually on the top, without the need for the driver to walk on the shoulder.
Until that date arrives, The two systems coexistIt is legal to continue using warning triangles, to use only the V16 beacon, or to combine both. However, once the final requirement comes into effect, the device that will count for legal purposes will be the connected V16. Although warning triangles can still be carried in the trunk, They will no longer be valid as a mandatory element of advance signaling.
According to the DGT (Spanish Directorate General of Traffic) and the Supreme Court itself, this change responds to a very clear objective: to reduce the number of accidents that occurred when the driver walked between 50 and 100 meters along the road to place the triangles. The high court has stated in writing that the replacement of these devices with V16 lights is not an arbitrary decision, but a legitimate regulatory option, supported by previous studies and reports.
The actual fine for not carrying the V16 beacon: 80 euros, not 30.000.
One of the most widespread rumors in recent months claimed that the fine for not carrying a V16 beacon could reach up to the 30.000 eurosViral messages and some videos have fueled the idea that the DGT (Spanish Directorate General of Traffic) was going to severely punish those who are forgetful or late. The reality is much more modest.
Traffic authorities have confirmed that, if from 1 January 2026 a vehicle does not have a V16 beacon connected or does not use it when experiencing a roadside incident, the penalty will be 80 EurosAs with other minor offenses, if paid within the early payment period, the amount is reduced to 50%, so that It would remain at 40 euros.
That's exactly it. the same amount that was already imposed for failing to properly signal a breakdown with the old warning triangles. In other words, the change isn't in the amount of the fine, but in the type of device that the law now considers valid.
The €30.000 fine, however, comes from a different regulatory area: infractions related to civil protection plans, which have nothing to do with simply not displaying the V16 warning beacon in the car. The Traffic Department has not yet set an amount. a specific penalty for turning on the light without reasonHowever, it should be noted that misuse in emergency situations could fall under other sanctioning regulations, separate from the General Traffic Regulations.
In what cases does the DGT issue fines: it is not enough to have "any" light
The DGT has detailed that the economic sanction linked The V16 regulation will apply in several specific cases. It's not just about forgetting the device at home, but also about carrying a device that doesn't meet the required technical standards.
Specifically, drivers are exposed to a fine of 80 euros if:
- They do not carry any V16 beacon in the vehicle when the rule is already fully mandatory.
- They carry a non-approved beaconThat is, a model that is not included in the official list of valid devices published by the DGT.
- They use a Approved beacon but without active connectivity, an essential requirement for the device to send its geolocation to the DGT 3.0 platform.
In this latter case, the problem is not only one of security: if connectivity does not work, The light no longer meets the legal definition of a connected V16 beaconTherefore, for all practical purposes, it is as if the car did not have the required device or an old model without a connection was being used.
The DGT itself has emphasized that Not just any yellow light will do. purchased online or in a large store. The device must meet very specific characteristics regarding light intensity, battery life, durability, and, above all, connectivity. To avoid fraud, the Traffic Department recommends Consult their website for a list of certified beacons and check the code engraved on the tulip, which certifies that the model has passed the official tests.
The consumer organization Facua has recently denounced several platforms and retail chains for selling supposedly approved beacons that, in reality, They do not have DGT validationFaced with these types of practices, the traffic authority has been insisting on the same message for months: the only valid beacon is the V16 connected, registered and with active connectivity.
Can the triangle still be used next to the V16 beacon?
The coexistence of the classic system and the new one has generated another recurring question: Is it possible to install the V16 beacon and, furthermore, remove the triangles? Many drivers believe that, if they are going to stop in a particularly dangerous place, it can be helpful to combine both elements to gain visibility.
The DGT reminds us that The main reason for the change is to prevent the driver from walking on the shoulder. to leave the triangles dozens of meters from the car. That's why the rule prioritizes that the user remain inside the vehicle, with their seatbelt fastened, unless there is a safe place off the road where they can take refuge. From this point of view, whoever decides to go out onto the road to place triangles assumes an additional risk which the regulations are precisely trying to reduce.
However, the Traffic Department has also conveyed a message of some reassurance: You will not be fined for carrying warning triangles in the trunk nor for continuing to use them in a complementary way, provided that the V16 beacon has been activated correctly and the rest of the safety obligations are respected (reflective vest, exit on the opposite side to traffic, etc.).
The Director General of Traffic, Pere Navarro, himself has indicated that anyone who wants to keep the warning triangles can do so, but he has warned that It's not a good idea to keep playing with that riskTo put it colloquially: if placing the triangle requires entering a crest or a blind curve, the price can be very high if an accident occurs.
How and where to place the connected V16 beacon
The basic operation of the new emergency light is relatively simple, although the DGT insists that it is advisable familiarize yourself with the device before you need itIn case of breakdown or accident, the driver must stop the vehicle in the safest possible place and activate the beacon from inside.
Then it should place the light at the highest point of the carIt is usually mounted on the roof, using the magnet included in most models. If it is not possible to attach it to the roof, it can be placed on the driver's door or at the rear, provided it is visible to other users.
Once switched on, the beacon emits high-intensity yellow flashes and automatically, It sends its position periodically to the DGT 3.0 platformBased on this information, the system can warn other vehicles via information panels, navigation systems, applications, or connected services, without the driver having to do anything further.
It is important to remember that, despite this connectivity, The beacon is not directly linked to 112 or the emergency services.In other words, activating V16 does not replace calling emergency services; occupants remain responsible for contacting firefighters, a tow truck, or medical assistance if necessary.
Homologation, fraud and how to know if your beacon is valid
The proliferation of models on the market has generated some confusion, and understandably so: There are more than 200 different items for sale.both in physical stores and on online platforms. Among them, devices have appeared that are advertised as certified without actually being so.
To determine if a beacon is valid, the DGT recommends two very clear steps. Firstly, Consult their official website for the updated list of approved models, where the brands and references that have passed the technical tests are listed. On the other hand, review the tulip of the device itself, in which the homologation code that certifies its certification must be engraved.
In recent months, the consumer organization Facua has filed complaints against companies such as Amazon, AliExpress, and Leroy Merlin for allegedly selling beacons as certified when they were notGiven this situation, the DGT (Spanish Directorate General of Traffic) reiterates that it has long warned users of the importance of verifying that the V16 sensor is connected and certified. For models that have been removed from the homologation list unexpectedly, the DGT has announced some flexibility for those who purchased them before their disapproval.
In any case, the message is clear: If the beacon is not listed in the official registry or does not have active connectivity, it does not comply with the regulations.even if the packaging or advertisement says otherwise. And that could result in a fine when the device is required on the road.
Will there be specific controls to review the V16?
Another fear that has spread on social media has to do with the possibility of mass controls dedicated solely to checking the beaconThe DGT (Spanish Directorate General of Traffic) and the Civil Guard have sought to alleviate this concern by insisting that There is no intention to mount specific operations to check drivers' trunks for the new device.
The officers will continue to act as before: in case of accident, breakdown, or inspection for another infractionThey will check that the driver complies with their basic obligations, including having valid insurance, a current vehicle inspection certificate, wearing a reflective vest when getting out of the vehicle and, from the date of entry into force, have a connected and approved V16 beacon.
In these scenarios, an €80 fine may be levied for not carrying the beacon or for using an invalid device. But the Traffic Authority insists that “There is no intention to issue fines” systematicallyand that the focus remains on road safety, not increasing revenue.
Grace period and flexibility in the first few days
Although the DGT has ruled out extending the effective date, both Pere Navarro and other officials from the agency have indicated that In the first few days, we will act with some flexibility.It's not about giving indefinite carte blanche, but rather recognizing that many drivers need time to adapt and get used to the new device.
The Deputy Director of Traffic, Ana Blanco, explained that in the initial stages of the regulation No specific checks will be carried out to ask whether or not the V16 is being carried.The priority, he emphasizes, is for citizens to gradually incorporate the beacon into their regular equipment, in the same way that the use of seat belts or reflective vests became normalized in the past.
For now, professional drivers—truckers, taxi drivers, or delivery drivers— They are ahead in adopting the systemMeanwhile, private users are proceeding more cautiously. The Traffic Department encourages people not to leave their purchase until the last minute, both because of potential market saturation and the risk of ending up with a non-compliant model due to haste or lack of knowledge.
Controversy, hoaxes and support from the Supreme Court
The V16 beacon has not only generated practical doubts, but also a strong political and legal controversySome law firms and critics have gone so far as to claim that the mandatory use of the device is unconstitutional, alleging a lack of sufficient reports or justification. These arguments have circulated particularly on social media, where videos denouncing the alleged arbitrariness of the regulation have garnered thousands of views.
However, the The Supreme Court already ruled on this in 2022. Regarding the regulation of V16 lights and their transitional period, the high court made it clear in its ruling that The beacons are legal and that its imposition is not without motivation or technical support. Furthermore, he emphasized that the fact that other European countries maintain triangles as their primary system This does not prevent Spain from innovating in road safety..
Regarding privacy, another sensitive issue, legal experts like lawyer Miriam Montero point out that The beacons are not linked to a license plate or personal data.When activated, they send their location to the DGT (Spanish Directorate General of Traffic) platform, but the agency doesn't know who owns the device or which car is using it. The Spanish Data Protection Agency has also issued a statement indicating that It does not detect any violations of data protection regulations. in the proposed system.
Criticisms regarding visibility, maintenance, and cost
Beyond the legal aspects, the V16 has also stirred controversy among drivers' associations, some professional bodies, and even some members of the Civil Guard. One of the most frequent criticisms concerns its actual visibility under certain conditions, especially during the day, on stretches with sharp curves or changes in gradient where the vehicle remains hidden until the last moment.
La Unified Association of Civil GuardsThe majority in the Traffic Group acknowledges that the beacon It works especially well at night or in fog.when its flash stands out clearly. However, it warns of its limitations in other scenarios, where the triangles continued to provide a visual reference from dozens of meters away from the stopped car.
The drawbacks of maintenance and power supplyUnlike warning triangles, which don't require batteries, V16s need a power source that must be kept in good working order. Approved models guarantee a minimum operating autonomy and prolonged standby timeHowever, users should be concerned about checking their status periodically to avoid surprises when they need it most.
Added to this is the inevitable economic issue. Between the purchase of the connected beacon and future renewals, some motorists believe that a significant financial burden has been created. a business built around a mandatory deviceThe DGT responds that the cost must be put into context: the objective is to prevent fatal accidents and improve traffic management, and the price of the device, while relevant for many household budgets, is far from the fines that are rumored on social media.
Reminder of other sanctions related to signage
In connection with the new beacon, the Traffic Department has taken the opportunity to remind drivers of other safety-related obligations in the event of an incident. For example, getting out of the vehicle without a reflective vest On intercity roads, it remains a serious offense, punishable by A €200 fine and the loss of four points. of the driver's license.
Furthermore, when the car becomes immobilized and there is no possibility of removing it quickly, the General Traffic Regulations state that the occupants must exit on the opposite side of the traffic flow and go to a safe place off the platform, without remaining or traveling on the lanes or shoulders unless strictly necessary.
In this context, the V16 beacon is presented as one more piece of the security machineThis is in addition to the vest, safe distances, and other well-known safety measures. It does not replace common sense or caution, but aims to minimize people's exposure to high-risk situations, especially on roads with heavy traffic or poor visibility.
With the new regulations coming into force just around the corner, the overall picture is clear: The connected V16 beacon will become mandatoryThe penalty for not wearing one will be 80 euros—reducible to 40 for prompt payment—and no specific checks are planned to "catch" those who have not yet adapted. Amidst controversy over its usefulness, criticism over its cost, and doubts about its applicationThe DGT insists that the aim of the measure is to reduce road accidents and modernize the management of incidents on the road, while encouraging drivers to check that the beacon they buy is actually approved and connected.
