When will the V16 beacon be mandatory in Spain and what happens if you don't have it?

La V16 beacon connected has become a mandatory element In almost all vehicles on Spanish roads, and incidentally, one of the most discussed topics in road safety, IoT technology, and privacy. Between regulatory changes, doubts about its operation, interactive maps, and some distrust regarding data management, the situation is far more complex than simply "replacing warning triangles."

In the following lines you will find A very complete and detailed guide about the V16 beacon in Spain: what it is, when it is mandatory, how the connection with the DGT 3.0What happens to the data, how it appears on public maps, what has happened with the security flaws, and which manufacturers and models are actually approved.

What exactly is a connected V16 beacon and why is it replacing the warning triangles?

The connected V16 beacon is a emergency light device designed to replace warning triangles The warning light we've carried in the trunk for decades is now mounted on the roof or the highest possible part of the vehicle when we suffer a breakdown or accident, so that it emits a Flashing yellow light visible from 360º and over a kilometer away away for at least 30 minutes.

The main difference compared to triangles is that It does not force you to get out of the carThe regulations state that the driver must be able to Take the beacon from inside the vehicle, turn it on, and place it outside. Opening the window or door slightly, but without walking along the road or traveling dozens of meters along the shoulder, which was precisely where many accidents with the triangles occurred.

In addition to the lighting component, approved beacons add a key technological layer: They connect to the DGT 3.0 platform via cellular IoT networkssending the vehicle's position and the status of the incident to the connected public traffic infrastructure. That's the basis of the entire alert system on maps, panels, and navigation systems.

This change is included in the Royal Decree 1030/2022 and Royal Decree 159/2021which regulate both the V16 signal and its connectivity and the transition from triangles to connected beacons.

When is the V16 beacon mandatory and which vehicles are affected

From January 1, 2026, the connected V16 beacon is mandatory for most motor vehicles circulating in Spain. In previous years, the continued use of non-connected triangles or beacons was permitted, but the DGT (Spanish Directorate General of Traffic) had long recommended getting ahead of the curve and switching to certified models with connectivity.

Specifically, they must carry a V16 beacon connected to the passenger cars, motorhomes, vans, adaptable mixed-use vehicles, buses, trucks and non-special vehicle combinationsMotorcycles, mopeds and many special vehicles (agricultural machinery, construction machinery, etc.) are exempt from the obligation, although They can use it voluntarily as an extra security measure if they so wish.

The device, by regulation, must store in the glove compartment or another easily accessible space from the driver's seat. It's no good leaving it lying around in the trunk if you have to get out of the car and rummage through suitcases or tools to reach it; the philosophy behind the rule is clear: minimize exposure to traffic as much as possible.

During the first few months after the obligation came into effect, the Ministry of the Interior and the DGT have insisted that The security forces will act with some flexibilityBoth Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska and Pere Navarro himself have indicated that, within a "reasonable period," information and education will be prioritized over automatic sanctions, even though the infraction is defined as an offense.

Once this adaptation phase is over, Not having a homologated connected V16 will constitute a breach of the General Vehicle Regulations, with economic sanctions that add to the objective risk of going without adequate signage in case of an incident.

How the V16 connected beacon works: light, IoT and DGT 3.0

In practice, using it is quite simple: Simply turn the top part or press the activation buttonSimply place it on the ceiling using the magnet in the base, and you're done. From there, it performs two functions simultaneously: It lights up and connects.

On one hand, the luminous part generates a flashing high-intensity yellow signalVisible even in bad weather and from great distances. Many models easily exceed the minimum power requirements, with values ​​above 200-300 candelas, making the stationary car stand out clearly to approaching drivers.

On the other hand, the beacon sends a message through the IoT network periodic message with your ID, GPS coordinates, activation time and statusThis communication takes place at intervals of approximately 100 seconds while the device remains powered on. The transmission is directed to the National Traffic Data Access Point (NAP), from where DGT 3.0 distributes information to the entire connected ecosystem.

From there, Onboard navigation systems, navigation apps like Google Maps or Waze, fleet management platforms, and variable message signs Drivers may receive a "stopped vehicle" alert on a specific stretch of road. This isn't a beacon icon you'll see on Google Maps; rather, it translates into alerts for stopped vehicles, incidents, or hazards on the road, helping drivers anticipate potential problems.

It is important to understand that The beacon does not send the exact cause of the malfunction or any personal data.It doesn't distinguish between a flat tire, a minor dent, running out of fuel, or a more serious accident; it simply reports that a vehicle is immobilized at specific coordinates. The classification of the incident is made by the roadside assistance operator (for example, the crane with the V-24 signal) when it arrives at the scene and notifies the DGT what it has found.

The IoT network behind the V16: the role of Telefónica Tech and other operators

For all of this to work reliably, the approved beacons must incorporate a Integrated and non-removable SIM card that uses cellular networks in licensed bandsTypically NB-IoT or LTE-M technology. This connectivity must be contracted and guaranteed for a minimum period of 12 years, included in the sale price of the device.

In Spain, Telefónica Tech plays a leading role in this ecosystemAccording to data from the operator itself, its IoT infrastructure serves more than 70% of the connected beacons certified by the DGT (Spanish Directorate General of Traffic). Thanks to its nationwide NB-IoT network and its Kite management platform, it can Monitor data traffic from millions of devices with very low power consumption and high penetration.even in areas with little conventional coverage.

The Kite platform, along with the IoT Data Ready component, is responsible for to ensure that location data reaches DGT 3.0 in a robust and secure manneracting as a kind of "pipe" dedicated to the traffic of these critical signals. All of this has been tested and optimized in environments such as TheThinX laboratory, where different beacon models and usage scenarios are tested.

The end user doesn't have to worry about anything: There are no monthly fees or SIM renewalsThe regulatory commitment is that the purchase of the beacon includes connectivity for its entire 12-year lifespan. The only thing the driver needs to monitor is the condition of the internal batterysince its degradation over time can vary depending on storage and usage conditions.

In addition to Telefónica Tech, the ecosystem is completed by multiple hardware manufacturers, certification laboratories, and platform operators, who have had to coordinate with the DGT to ensure that the signage meets the technical, safety and availability requirements demanded of an infrastructure of public interest.

Approval requirements and list of models authorized by the DGT

A beacon is not valid just because it “looks” like a V16; It must be expressly approved and published in the official list of the DGT (Spanish Directorate General of Traffic).This list is compiled from certificates issued by accredited laboratories such as LCOE or IDIADA, which perform tests on both the optical and connectivity and robustness aspects.

Among the minimum requirements that a connected V16 must meet are: the emission of visible light in 360º with a minimum range of 1 km, the autonomy of at least 30 minutes in emergency mode, the secure magnetic attachment to the vehicle and sufficient protection against rain, dust, and vibrations. In addition to all this, there is obligation to transmit the position to the NAP every 100 seconds while it is activated.

It is also required that the The SIM card is integrated into the device, is not removable, and uses licensed cellular networks.so that no one can create "invented" solutions using prepaid cards, home Wi-Fi, or other poorly controlled methods. And, of course, the 12-year connectivity warranty included in the price, with no additional payments to the user during that time.

The extensive official list includes well-known models such as Help Flash IoT, FlashLED SOS V16 connected, Faselight IoT, iWottoLight IoT, Helios V16, OSRAM LEDguardian ROAD FLARE Signal V16 IoT, LEDEL beacons, Limburg Technology, MIROVI, Distribuciones Escudero, IDESA, RS R, ZTE, EveBase and many moreMany of these devices are marketed under several different brand names, taking advantage of the same technical base.

To find out if your beacon is “legal” for traffic purposes, The only truly reliable way is to check if it appears on the DGT website.If it's not listed, no matter how cheap or beautiful it is, is not considered valid for regulatory purposesIt is worth emphasizing this because there are still old, non-connected models, or low-quality copies, being sold through some channels.

Privacy, anonymity and data use: what the Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD) says and what happens in practice

One of the most controversial points of this whole system is related to the privacy and the processing of geolocation dataSince the implementation of connected beacons was announced, there has been no shortage of alarmist messages and hoaxes presenting them as a kind of permanent car tracking device.

Both the DGT (Spanish Directorate General of Traffic) and the Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD) have had to step in, clarifying that The approved beacon is not associated with either the license plate or any personal identity.The DGT receives a signal with the location of the device while it is switched on, but does not know who activated it or which specific vehicle it belongs to, since the beacons are interchangeable.

Furthermore, the AEPD has emphasized that To buy a connected V16, you don't need to provide personal data. and that the device, while it remains turned off, It conveys absolutely nothing.Nor is a movement history generated that allows the reconstruction of traffic trajectories; the only thing that is recorded is the specific fact that an incident has occurred in a certain place and time.

On paper, therefore, the system is designed to to minimize the impact on privacy as much as possiblelimiting the data to the strict minimum necessary to manage road safety. However, in practice, the emergence of Public maps based on the DGT 3.0 API And, above all, the configuration errors that have allowed access to internal tools have triggered doubts.

The reality is that, even if a piece of data is anonymous, The combination of exact location and time can be very sensitive When we talk about a vehicle stopped on the shoulder of the road, in the middle of the night and in an isolated area, that's where concerns about public safety and data protection intersect, and where the administration has had to react to strengthen its technical controls.

Maps of the V16 beacons: DGT, public API and alternative projects

The information generated by the DGT 3.0 platform not only feeds into on-board systems and navigation systems, but also the official traffic map of the DGTIn that viewer, accessible from the organization's website, it is possible to see Road closures, detours, roadworks, adverse weather, accidents and, among other milestones, stopped vehicles marked with V16 beacons.

In the map legend, the incidents related to immobilized vehicles They appear associated with the typical danger pictogram.Using the filter area (the three-line icon in the upper right) you can clean up the view considerably, choosing which layers of information to show and which to hide so that it doesn't become a chaotic mess of icons.

By clicking on one of these points, the map It displays data such as the type of incident (default “vehicle stopped”), the road and direction, the orientation of the section, the date and time from which it is active, the province and the municipalityThere is no reference to the license plate or the driver's identity: the DGT insists that the system only works with locations of stopped vehicles and technical parameters of the signal.

Beyond the official viewer, the DGT makes available to third parties the API DGT 3.0, which publicly exposes some of this dataTaking advantage of this infrastructure, developers and enthusiasts have created alternative projects, such as the well-known mapabalizasv16 map, driven by cybersecurity engineer Héctor Julián Alijas, which focuses specifically on connected beacons.

This standalone map It shows in yellow the beacons that are currently active and in a darker shade those that have been active recently.The information is periodically updated to reflect status changes and new activations. Tapping each icon displays virtually the same information as the DGT map, but with an interesting addition: Direct links to open the location in browsers like Google Maps, Waze, or Apple MapsThis makes it easier to get to the location, for example, to roadside assistance companies.

The crisis of confidence: security failures and exposure of real-time beacons

While the system was consolidating, a crisis erupted serious crisis of confidence following a technical security failureAn internal use map, intended for developers, manufacturers and authorities, that showed in real time the exact position of all activated beacons, It eventually became freely accessible from the internet..

The problem wasn't just that the viewer was available, but that It appeared indexed by search engines and did not require authentication or credentials.In other words, any user with basic knowledge could log in, move around the map of Spain and see which vehicles were immobilized at any given time, at which points on the road network and for how long.

Social media users and technology specialists began to Share screenshots and videos demonstrating the ease of accessThis amplified the media impact. Suddenly, the official narrative that the information was under strict cybersecurity safeguards clashed head-on with the evidence that a real-time control panel had been left wide open.

From a public safety perspective, the implications are clear: Any criminal could have used that map to locate incidents in isolated, poorly lit places or places with low police presence., selecting highly vulnerable targets such as lone drivers waiting for a tow truck, or even loaded industrial vehicles that have had to stop on remote shoulders.

The origin of the failure must be sought in a incorrect configuration of the server permissions hosting the display interfaceThese types of errors are sadly common in cybersecurity: a panel that should be closed and restricted ends up exposed to the outside world due to an oversight in access rules or deployment, and nobody notices until someone finds it.

Although the DGT has insisted that the data presented They did not include names, license plates, or personal identifiers.The reality is that simply having the exact, real-time location of stopped vehicles is already extremely sensitive information. For many users, the feeling was that A device designed to protect them became a kind of beacon that marked their position at the moment of greatest vulnerability..

V16 beacon, road safety and penalties: what you should know when using it

Beyond the technological aspects and the controversies, we must not lose sight of the original objective: Reduce the number of people who have had to get out of their cars to signal an incident.The Interior Ministry estimates that around 25 people may die each year in Spain after being run over while placing or collecting warning triangles, a figure difficult to accept in the 21st century.

Minister Grande-Marlaska and the director of the DGT, Pere Navarro, have reiterated that The purpose of the connected V16 is not to raise funds, but to save lives.The light is visible from a great distance, allowing other drivers to be warned well in advance and, thanks to the connection with DGT 3.0, it ensures that approaching vehicles receive clear warnings on their navigation systems and variable message signs, reducing sudden braking and last-minute maneuvers.

However, it's important to keep in mind that using the beacon also comes with some caveats. Authorities have warned that Misuse or a false positive can lead to very significant penaltiesIt's not about turning it on just to test it and leaving it there: using it unjustifiably, simulating a prolonged incident, can lead to fines that amount to tens of thousands of euros.

At the opposite extreme, not having a connected, approved V16 beacon when required This is considered an infraction that can result in a fine (initially €80, although with some initial flexibility). Beyond the penalty, the real consequence is that Your vehicle will be less protected in case of a breakdown., both in terms of visibility and warnings to the rest of the traffic.

On an international level, Spain has positioned itself at the forefront with the connected V16, to the point that Other European countries are observing the Spanish experience to decide whether to copy the modelSome countries, such as the United Kingdom or Luxembourg, have already suspended the use of warning triangles on highways due to the danger they pose, which fits with the same logic that has led to their replacement here.

Given this context, the connected V16 beacon has become a kind of symbol of the new road safety: a small device that condenses regulations, IoT technology, privacy debates, and changing habitsUnderstanding what it does, what it doesn't do, how it integrates into DGT 3.0, and the implications of its use is fundamental to getting the most out of it without falling into unfounded fears or naive optimism regarding data management.

Looking at the assembly, the connected V16 signal represents This represents a significant leap forward compared to traditional warning triangles, as it allows signaling without leaving the car and real-time alerts to other traffic.Although its implementation has been marred by controversies regarding cybersecurity and transparency, forcing the administration to tread very carefully, if the system matures by correcting errors, maintaining the real anonymity of users, and expanding the reliability of the IoT infrastructure, we will be facing a key piece in the connected mobility of the coming years and not just "another mandatory gadget" to keep in the glove compartment.