- Please visit our social media pages
The new V16 connected emergency beacons used in Spain rely on an internal communication system that allows the device to send the vehicle’s location to the DGT when the light is activated. Most well-known connected models, such as the Help Flash IoT, use Vodafone’s NB IoT network and include the connectivity within the purchase price. This means there is no subscription and no mobile contract required from the owner.
These devices include a long period of guaranteed connectivity, typically lasting until around 2038, which covers the full intended lifespan of the beacon. The DGT rules require the packaging to display an expiry date for the communication service to ensure the device remains legally compliant throughout its service life.
Once the connectivity period has expired, the device cannot be renewed or updated. The V16 beacon is manufactured as a sealed, certified product and cannot accept a replacement SIM, an external contract, or a software update that extends the communication service. Regulations require the device to remain exactly as originally certified, which means the communication module cannot be opened, altered, or replaced. Because of this, the manufacturer cannot extend the device’s communication life once the period ends, and the device will no longer meet the legal requirement that it must transmit its location when used. In practical terms, this means that owners will eventually need to purchase a new certified V16 beacon once the included connectivity period ends.
From 1 January 2026, the use of connected V16 beacons will be mandatory for most private vehicles, vans, buses, and commercial transport vehicles. Vehicles that are required to carry a connected V16 include passenger cars, light commercial vans, trucks, buses, and any combination vehicles that are not classified as special. Agricultural vehicles, tractors, and motorcycles are generally exempt from the requirement. Motorcycles in particular are considered special vehicles due to their design and the difficulty of safely placing a beacon. However, riders may still choose to use a V16 beacon voluntarily to increase visibility and safety if immobilized on the road.
During its valid period, the beacon works autonomously without any renewal fees or manual maintenance of the connection. The design ensures reliability, simplicity for the user, and compliance with national road safety requirements. Owners of older, non-connected V16 beacons or vehicles that previously relied on warning triangles will need to upgrade to a connected model to remain compliant once the new law comes into effect.
In summary, V16 beacons are designed to be long-lasting, self-contained safety devices. Their connectivity is built in for over a decade, and when the service period ends, the beacon must be replaced with a new certified model. Compliance with the DGT regulations ensures that vehicles are visible and properly reported in emergencies, improving road safety for everyone. Motorcycles, tractors, and certain special vehicles are exempt from the mandatory requirement, but their voluntary use of V16 beacons remains an option for added safety.
From 1 January 2026 onwards, it will not be permitted to use triangles, as this type of luminous connected device will be the only legal means of signalling stationary vehicles. They must be carried as accessories inside cars, dual purpose vehicles, and vehicles intended for the carriage of goods and buses. From the ministry memo below:
V-16 CIRCULACIÓN INTERNACIONAL-EN REV
