A breakdown on a secondary road, a car stopped on the shoulder and the doubt that arrives before help: what do I do now to signal it correctly. For years, the response was almost automatic and involved looking for the triangles in the trunk. That gesture is no longer the obligatory reference. Starting today, January 1, the regulations change and force us to rethink how we warn other drivers when something goes wrong.
The change is no longer a future promise and is now in effect. The General Directorate of Traffic establishes that the V-16 beacon connected It is the only legal danger pre-signaling device in the country. This is not just a symbolic replacement for the triangles, but a clear redefinition of what is considered valid to comply with the obligation to signal an immobilized vehicle.
It’s not just a light. The key to the connected V-16 beacon is not only that it emits a light signal visible from afar, but also in what happens at the same time and without driver intervention. When activated, the device automatically communicates the vehicle’s location to the platform DGT 3.0which integrates this information into traffic management systems. This “virtual visibility”, as defined by the DGT itself, allows other road users to be notified through variable message panels and browsers, before the incident becomes evident to those approaching.
Who takes her and where she goes. The regulations establish that the connected V-16 beacon must be part of the equipment of passenger cars, buses, adaptive mixed vehicles, vehicles intended for the transport of goods and sets of non-special vehicles. Regarding its placement, the recommendation is clear: place it at the highest possible point of the vehicle, preferably on the roof, to maximize visibility. When this is not feasible, it can be placed in the highest area of the driver’s side, taking advantage of the built-in magnet to fix it to metal surfaces.
Fines for using the triangle, yes or no? Part of the noise around the V-16 stems from a misunderstanding about the concept of substitution. The fact that the connected beacon becomes the mandatory device does not imply that the triangle has become a sanctionable element in itself. DGT Instruction 2025/20 clarifies that a triangle placed specifically is not considered an obstacle on the road and, therefore, will not be the subject of a complaint.
From here it is advisable to separate the scenarios well, because not all of them lead to the same result. Using only the triangle no longer serves to comply with the legal pre-signaling obligation, because the required device is the connected V-16 beacon. The case is different for those who correctly activate the beacon and, in addition, decide to place a triangle in a complementary manner, something that the aforementioned instruction frames as an element that, if placed punctually, will not be the subject of a complaint for being considered an obstacle.
The problem appears when a beacon that is not approved or that does not meet the required connectivity requirements is used, since in that case the driver would not be using a legally valid device.
Without vocation to fine. In this context, the DGT itself has tried to reduce the feeling of immediate threat. In an interview on Hora 14 on Cadena SERthe deputy director of the DGT, Ana Blanco, assured that “there is no vocation to fine,” when asked about the sanctions from day one, although she insisted that the important thing is that drivers get the mandatory device. The message does not eliminate the sanctioning framework, but does point to an approach focused on adaptation and the connected V-16 beacon being available and used correctly when necessary.
Be careful with the ‘connected’ label. One of the main sources of confusion is in the market. Just because a beacon is announced as connected does not guarantee that it meets the requirements demanded by the DGT. The organization maintains an official and updated list of certified brands and models.and only the devices that appear in it have legal validity. Checking this list is key, because from today it is not enough for the beacon to emit light or have a connection, but it must have the current approval and the corresponding technical certificate.
Four models that were left out at the last minute. In December 2025, The DGT updated its list of certified devices and marked four specific models as “not valid.” This qualification does not imply that they stop working or that their use is automatically punishable, but rather that they have lost the administrative validity of their original technical certificates.
For this reason, these products can no longer be marketed, although, according to the criteria that accompanies this update, those who purchased them before the withdrawal can continue using them. Its validity is linked to the useful life of the device, in particular to the operating period of the associated data plan.
Quick checklist. After so much explanation, it’s time to go ashore. Today is not a different day from the rest when you get into the car, except for that small change that should be well secured to avoid doubts and waste of time if a breakdown occurs. This is the minimum checklist to know that you are wearing the right thing and know how to use it.
- Check that the beacon is included in the official catalog of models approved by the DGT.
- Make sure the battery or batteries are in good condition.
- Keep the beacon in an accessible place inside the vehicle.
- Verify that the magnet allows a firm fixation in a metal area.
- Always place it at the highest possible point in the car when it is activated.
Images | Netun Solutions | DGT (1, 2)
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