From 2026 onwards V16 beacons become mandatory, although one of their requirements is that of have connectivity with an eSIM connected directly to the DGT to be able to locate you. But when people started talking about these beacons and that they were going to be mandatory, the first beacons that were coming were not connected.
So, let’s tell you what happens if you wanted to hurry too much and bought an unconnected beaconor even if you have accidentally bought one V16 counterfeit. To clarify, we are going to tell you what the DGT says about these beacons that do not have connectivity.
Your V16 beacon without connectivity is of no use to you
Within the DGT website there is a section with 20 questions about the beacons, and one of them is yes you can continue using triangles or unconnected V16 beacon. The DGT’s response is the following:
No. Neither triangles nor offline V16s will be valid in Spain as a means of signaling immobilized vehicles as of January 1. With one exception, those vehicles that are registered in other countries and are in international circulation.
Therefore, your unconnected V16 will not work for you not at all. If you only carry one of those, you will be exposed to fines for not having an approved beacon, just as if you did not carry any.
In this case, it does not matter if when you bought the beacons it was not specified that it would be necessary for them to be connected, they are still useless. From January 1, 2026, it will be mandatory to have a V16 connected in the car, and if you have one that is not connected, then you do not meet the legal requirements.
Image | DGT
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