Overview
- On motorways and expressways, Spain-registered vehicles must use a V-16 roof-mounted flashing beacon instead of a warning triangle starting in 2026.
- The battery-powered beacon sits on the roof and emits a yellow signal visible from roughly one kilometer.
- A built-in mobile module transmits the vehicle’s location to traffic authorities and rescue services every 100 seconds when the beacon is active, sending location data only.
- Warning triangles remain permitted on secondary roads and in urban areas, though the DGT advises using the V-16 there as well.
- Foreign-registered private cars are exempt, but travelers renting Spanish-plate vehicles should confirm the car includes a compliant V-16 unit.