V-16 Beacon Mandatory in Spain: DGT Chief Says No Turning Back 2026

The V-16 emergency beacon is now mandatory in Spain, and the director of the DGT, Pere Navarro, has made his position unmistakable: there is no turning back. His remarks came at the Peatones y seguridad vial forum held in A Coruña, where the city council and the Galician Federation of Municipalities and Provinces took part, as reported by Motorpasión.

Navarro used the event to close the door on a debate that has refused to die since the beacon replaced the classic warning triangles on January 1. The controversy has been fueled in part by the DGT's own unclear messaging about whether officers are actually issuing fines for drivers who don't carry one.

What Is the V-16 Beacon and Why Did Spain Require It?

The V-16 beacon is a small, battery-powered signaling device that a driver places on the roof of the vehicle after a breakdown or accident. Unlike the old triangles, which required the driver to walk along the shoulder to set them up, the beacon can be activated from inside the car, keeping the driver away from passing traffic.

The device is designed to emit a bright, 360-degree flashing light that is visible from a distance, especially at night or in poor weather. Since January 1, it has been the legally required warning signal for Spanish roads, replacing the emergency triangles entirely.

Why Vox Wants the Beacon to Be Optional

The pushback comes from Vox, which has filed an amendment in the Congress of Deputies aimed at reversing or significantly modifying the use of the connected V-16 beacon. The party's goal is to make the beacon an optional add-on to the emergency triangles, with the triangles returning as the truly mandatory element.

Vox also wants to eliminate the connectivity feature of the device, which has been a focal point of controversy. Connected beacons transmit their location to the DGT's traffic management platform, a feature that critics view as a privacy concern and a cost burden for drivers.

Navarro's Message: No Marcha Atrás

Navarro's response to the amendment was blunt. According to the statements reported from the A Coruña forum, the DGT director declared that there is "no marcha atrás" — no going back. For him, the beacon represents a road safety improvement that Spain should not abandon.

The reasoning is straightforward: the triangles forced drivers to exit the vehicle and walk along the road, exposing them to serious risk. The beacon eliminates that exposure. Navarro has framed the debate as one of pedestrian and driver safety, not merely of regulatory preference.

What the Confusion Means for Drivers

The DGT's own communications have left many drivers unsure whether they will actually be fined for not carrying a V-16 beacon. That ambiguity has given oxygen to the campaign to bring back the triangles.

Still, the legal situation is clear: the beacon is mandatory. Drivers who have not yet purchased one should treat the device as a required piece of safety equipment, not an optional accessory.

• The V-16 beacon has been mandatory in Spain since January 1.
• It replaces the classic emergency triangles on all Spanish roads.
• Vox has filed a congressional amendment to make the beacon optional and restore the triangles.
• DGT director Pere Navarro says there is no going back on the requirement.
• Connected beacons transmit location data, which is central to the controversy.

How the Two Warning Systems Compare

Who Is Affected by the Debate

Every driver on Spanish roads is affected, from commuters to long-haul professionals. Fleet operators and rental companies also face compliance obligations and the cost of equipping vehicles with connected beacons.

The political dimension matters too. If Vox's amendment gains traction, the rules could shift again, leaving drivers to navigate yet another transition. For now, the DGT's position is that the beacon stays. The background to this story is set out in V-16 Beacon Backlash: Why Some Drivers Refuse to Buy. A related thread runs through DGT Chief Pere Navarro: Speeding Fines Target 'Idiots' Not Revenue. Earlier coverage in DGT Drug Tests in Spain: Half of Drivers Test Positive shows how the argument developed.

What to Watch Next

The amendment's progress through Congress will determine whether the debate produces any legal change. Navarro's public stance suggests the DGT will defend the current rule vigorously. A closer look at the same subject appears in DGT Traffic Map: The Most Reliable Road Tool for Spain. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Zelenskyy Fires Ukraine's Army Chief, Offers Fedorov Position. The same theme surfaces in Spain's DGT Warns: Total Solar Eclipse Traffic Chaos on August 12, which takes a different angle.

Drivers should keep an eye on official DGT communications for clarity on enforcement. Until any change is approved, carrying a V-16 beacon remains the safest and legally sound choice. Context on how this played out before sits in V16 Emergency Beacon Deal: DGT-Approved LedOne Under €10.