V16 warning beacon in Spain: who really needs one?

Since 1 January 2026, a new rule has applied in Spain: instead of a warning triangle, a connected warning beacon – the so-called V16 – must be carried in the car. Many reports make it sound as if everyone driving to Spain now needs one. That is not true. In this guide we explain simply and clearly who the requirement applies to, what you need with a foreign-registered vehicle (for example with German plates) and how to recognise a valid V16.

The essentials in 30 seconds:

• The V16 requirement only applies to vehicles with Spanish number plates.
• If you drive to Spain with foreign plates (e.g. German), your warning triangle is still enough there.
• In Germany, the warning triangle remains mandatory. A V16 does not replace it there.
• If you drive a rental car in Spain, you are in a Spanish car. It must carry a V16.

What is a V16 warning beacon?

The V16 is a small, flashing yellow light with a magnetic base. After a breakdown or an accident, you switch it on and place it on the roof of your car. It is visible from far away and warns the traffic behind you.

What makes it special: the beacon has a built-in SIM card. As soon as you switch it on, it sends its location to the “DGT 3.0” platform of the Spanish traffic authority DGT. You need neither a phone nor an app. According to the DGT, only the position is transmitted – no personal data and no vehicle data – and only while the beacon is switched on.

What has applied in Spain since 1 January 2026?

For vehicles registered in Spain, the connected V16 is now the only permitted way to secure a broken-down vehicle (in Spanish). In practice this means:

• Warning triangles no longer count for Spanish vehicles.
• Older V16 beacons without a SIM card no longer count either.
• The requirement applies to cars, trucks, buses and mixed-use vehicles. It is not mandatory for motorcycles, but the DGT recommends it.
• According to the DGT (in Spanish), anyone caught without a V16 pays 80 euros. The DGT explicitly describes reports of fines of up to 30,000 euros as false.

Do I need a V16 with my foreign-registered vehicle?

No. The DGT made this clear in a dedicated instruction on international traffic (in Spanish): vehicles with foreign number plates comply with the rules if they use warning triangles.

For you this means: with your 4x4 or motorhome on German (or other foreign) plates, you are on the safe side in Spain with your warning triangle and your high-visibility vest.

Watch out with rental cars

A rental car in Spain usually has Spanish number plates, so the V16 requirement applies to it. When you pick it up, take a quick look in the glovebox or door pocket to check whether there is a V16 in the car. If it is missing, ask the rental company about it directly.

And what applies in Germany?

Nothing changes in Germany. Under § 53a StVZO (document in German):

Vehicle	Requirement in Germany
up to 3.5 t (e.g. cars, most 4x4s)	warning triangle
over 3.5 t (e.g. heavy motorhomes)	warning triangle and an additional warning lamp

You may carry a V16 in addition. But it does not replace the warning triangle. So never leave your warning triangle at home just because you have bought a V16.

Is a V16 still worth it?

Even without an obligation, a V16 can be worthwhile, especially if you often travel long distances:

• No walking along the carriageway: you can place the beacon on the roof through the window without getting out. Setting up a warning triangle is dangerous, especially on motorways.
• Highly visible: the yellow flashing light sits high up on the roof and can be seen early, even in the dark and on bends.
• Location reporting in Spain: there, the beacon reports your position to the traffic authority. Outside Spain it only flashes, without transmitting the location.

Important: even with a V16, the warning triangle belongs in the car in Germany.

How to recognise a valid V16

Online you will find many beacons labelled “V16”. By no means all of them meet the Spanish requirements. Look out for these points:

1. Built-in SIM card: a valid V16 transmits by itself. If it needs an app or your phone, it is not a connected V16.
2. Listed by the DGT: the DGT publishes all approved models (in Spanish) with brand, model name and certificate. If a model is not on the list, it is not valid in Spain.
3. Test mark on the beacon: the lens shows the name of the testing laboratory (IDIADA or LCOE) and the test report number.
4. 12 years of connectivity included: the connection is included in the purchase price and lasts at least 12 years. The expiry date is printed on the packaging and the device.

Pro tip from the Fittery team: with brand-name models, look closely at the exact name. Osram, for example, offers the older “LEDguardian ROAD FLARE Signal V16” without a SIM card and the newer “LEDguardian ROAD FLARE Signal V16 IoT”. Only the IoT version is connected and on the DGT list. Models from Hella and Help Flash are also listed there.

How to use the V16 correctly

1. Switch on your hazard lights and, if possible, move the vehicle to the edge of the road or onto the hard shoulder.
2. Put on your high-visibility vest, ideally while still in the car.
3. Switch on the V16 and place it on the highest point of the vehicle, ideally the roof. If that is not possible, the magnet also holds on the driver’s door.
4. Get to safety: if there is a safe place next to the road, everyone gets out and goes there. If not, stay in the vehicle with your seat belts fastened.
5. Call for help: the V16 only reports your location. You have to contact roadside assistance or the emergency number (112) yourself.

Don’t forget the battery: a V16 often lies unused in the car for years. So check before every longer trip that it still works, and replace or charge the battery in good time.

Conclusion: with foreign plates, a warning triangle is enough

The V16 requirement concerns vehicles with Spanish number plates. If you drive to Spain in your own foreign-registered vehicle, you still need your warning triangle and your high-visibility vest there – nothing more. If you want to take a V16 anyway, you gain safety when securing your vehicle. In that case, it should be a model from the official DGT list. And the warning triangle still stays in the car.

Any questions?

Planning a trip to Spain and not sure what equipment you need? Our team is happy to advise you personally.

As of October 2026. This guide summarises information from the Spanish traffic authority DGT and the German StVZO and does not constitute legal advice. Rules may change. Check the current situation before your trip.

Cover image: AI-generated illustrative image.