Eduardo Valero, DGT mobility engineer: "As of January 1, 2026, the V16 beacon will be mandatory in Spain, but not all beacons advertised as connected are approved."

Roadside warning triangles will be history as of January 1, 2026. By then, it will be mandatory to have a V16 warning light connected to the DGT (Directorate General of Traffic) in our cars. But beware, the DGT warns us that not just any warning triangle will do . So before you get a scare or a fine, Eduardo Valero, a mobility engineer at the DGT , explains in an informative Instagram video which ones are appropriate and how to identify them.

The first thing to remember is that, currently, you can use up to three types of signaling: triangles, unconnected V16 lights, and connected ones. But, starting next year, that's over. This is how Valero summarizes it in the video: "Although connected and unconnected beacons currently coexist, starting January 1, 2026, V16 connectivity will be mandatory , and connected V16 will become the only legally valid accident or breakdown pre-signaling device," the DGT mobility engineer confirms.

And there will be no more moratoriums . So, if you're going to wait until the last minute to buy one, keep in mind that you may not be the only one, and that by Christmas they may be sold out or it may take a few weeks for one to arrive. Also, be careful what you buy, as not all the ones sold are DGT-approved .

And how can you tell if a V16 is approved? It's very simple: they all have a certificate, and you can check it on the DGT website : "If you want to make sure a model is certified as a connected V16 and, therefore, meets all legal requirements, you can visit the updated list of certified makes and models on our website," recommends Valero. It's the only way to avoid being fooled.

The V16 is characterized by emitting "a high-intensity light in 360°, intermittently and continuously for at least 30 minutes," the DGT states on its website. It is visible up to one kilometer and replaces triangles, as we don't even have to leave the vehicle to use it, thus avoiding accidents. To do this, all we have to do is activate it and place it on the roof of the vehicle to signal that it is immobilized. The DGT recommends "keeping it in the glove compartment of our vehicle." Once activated, the V16 connects to the DGT 3.0 to broadcast your location in real time and alert other connected users of your situation.