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Spain to Replace Warning Triangles With V16 Beacons on Highways From Jan. 1, 2026

The roof-mounted beacon aims to reduce secondary crashes through high visibility with automatic location transmission to authorities.

Overview

  • The requirement applies to vehicles registered in Spain on motorways and expressways, with foreign-plated cars explicitly exempt.
  • Warning triangles remain permitted on rural roads and in urban areas, so non-highway use is unchanged.
  • V16 units attach to the roof without leaving the vehicle, use a strong magnet, and emit an orange signal visible up to roughly one kilometer.
  • Upon activation, the device sends the vehicle’s position to the DGT via a built-in SIM with updates about every 100 seconds.
  • Units sell for roughly €30–€60, and renters should verify Spanish-registered hire cars carry a compliant beacon to avoid fines of up to €200.