What is a V16 warning light and why is it being introduced
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Introduction: A small lamp designed to make road traffic safer
For decades, the red warning triangle has been standard equipment in almost every car in Europe. It is a symbol of safety, breakdown assistance, and caution – and at the same time a relic of a time when digital technologies played no role in road traffic.
But in Spain, this very symbol will soon be history. Because from January 1, 2026, all vehicles traveling on Spanish roads must carry a V16 warning light instead of the warning triangle.
This small, orange-yellow flashing lamp represents a new generation of safety systems in road traffic: connected, visible, and efficient.
It is intended to prevent accidents that have so far occurred due to poor visibility or risky actions when setting up warning triangles.
But what exactly is the V16 warning light? How does it work? And why is it mandatory in Spain?
This article explains the background, technology, legal basis, and practical advantages of the V16 in detail.
1. Definition: What exactly is a V16 warning light?
The term “V16” comes from the Spanish traffic regulations and describes a portable, yellow safety light that is activated in the event of an accident, breakdown, or emergency.
It is intended to immediately warn other road users that a vehicle is stationary or there is an obstacle on the road.
Unlike the warning triangle, which must be placed at a certain distance behind the vehicle, the V16 warning light is placed directly on the roof.
It shines in a 360° radius and is visible from up to 1 kilometer away – even in darkness, rain, snow, or fog.
The light is battery-powered or rechargeable and is activated by a simple button. Many models are magnetic, so they securely attach to the vehicle roof.
This means: No dangerous exiting, no walking around on the highway – the warning starts within seconds.
2. The origin: Why Spain is introducing the V16
The trigger for the introduction of the V16 was an alarming accident statistic from recent years.
According to the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) – the Spanish traffic authority – numerous people have died while setting up their warning triangle.
The DGT stated:
"More than 20% of all traffic fatalities on highways in Spain are pedestrians who have left their vehicle after a breakdown."
The classic warning triangle, originally intended as a safety measure, thus became a danger itself.
Because on expressways, where vehicles speed by at 120 km/h, getting out and walking along the road is extremely risky – especially at night or in bad weather.
The V16 is therefore a response to this safety gap. It allows a vehicle to be marked without the driver having to leave it.
This way, the person remains protected while the vehicle is clearly visible to others.
3. Legal Background: The Spanish Legal Change
The V16 light is not just a recommendation but part of a comprehensive legal reform.
Already in July 2021, Royal Decree 159/2021 came into effect, regulating the gradual transition from the warning triangle to the V16.
The key points:
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Since July 2021:
The V16 may be used voluntarily instead of the warning triangle. -
From January 2026:
Only connected V16 lights with official DGT approval may be used.
The warning triangle loses its validity.
This legal change affects all vehicles registered in Spain, including rental cars and company vehicles.
Tourists with foreign vehicles are not legally required to carry a V16 – but it is strongly recommended as it significantly increases safety.
4. Technical Functionality: How the V16 works
An approved V16 light has the following main features:
4.1 Light and Visibility
The light emits a yellow flashing light that radiates in a 360° angle and is visible from up to one kilometer away.
This allows any approaching vehicle to recognize the stranded car in time.
4.2 Energy Supply
Most models are equipped with rechargeable batteries or long-lasting batteries.
The energy consumption is minimal, so the light remains active for over 30 minutes in an emergency – the legally required minimum duration.
4.3 Magnetic attachment
The underside of the light contains a strong magnet that ensures a secure hold on the vehicle roof.
The lamp remains stable even in wind or vibrations.
4.4 “Connected” versions
From 2026, all approved models must have an integrated SIM and GPS function.
As soon as the light is activated, it automatically sends the location to the DGT 3.0 platform.
This way, other road users, navigation services, and traffic systems are informed in real time.
This data transmission is anonymous – no personal information is transmitted, only coordinates and a timestamp.
5. DGT 3.0 – The new heart of digital road traffic
The platform DGT 3.0 is a central innovation in the Spanish traffic system.
It serves as a digital data infrastructure through which traffic information is exchanged in real time.
When a V16 light is activated, the system records:
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the exact location of the vehicle,
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the time of activation,
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and the type of incident (e.g. breakdown or accident).
This data appears immediately:
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on the large traffic display boards over highways,
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in navigation systems like Google Maps, TomTom or Waze,
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and with emergency services or traffic control centers.
The idea behind it: real-time visibility and prevention.
Drivers are warned early that there is a stationary vehicle on their route – and can brake or swerve in time.
This makes the V16 not only a warning signal but also a part of Spain's intelligent traffic system.
6. Safety in focus: The advantages over the warning triangle
The advantages of the V16 over the conventional warning triangle are clear and numerous.
6.1 No need to get out
The main advantage: The driver no longer has to leave the vehicle to issue a warning.
This significantly reduces the risk of accidents, especially on highways and expressways.
6.2 Better visibility
The yellow flashing light is much more visible at night, rain, fog, or snow than a reflective triangle.
6.3 Quick activation
Setting up a warning triangle often takes 1–2 minutes – the V16 is ready for use in 5 seconds.
6.4 Compact design
The light is small, lightweight (usually under 300 g), and can be stored in the glove compartment or center console.
6.5 Digital networking
For connected models, automatic data transmission to the DGT takes place – a huge step towards "Smart Traffic."
7. Economic and social impacts
The introduction of the V16 has not only safety-related but also economic and social consequences.
In Spain, a new market for smart security devices is currently emerging, involving numerous manufacturers and suppliers.
Furthermore, the V16 helps to raise public awareness of traffic safety and technological innovation.
With this, the DGT positions Spain as a European pioneer in the field of intelligent traffic systems.
8. Challenges and criticism
Of course, the V16 is not free from controversy either.
Critics complain that the introduction costs for drivers – especially for older vehicles – represent an additional burden.
There are also concerns regarding data protection with GPS transmission.
The DGT has responded by guaranteeing the anonymization of all data.
No driver data is stored, only technical position information.
Nevertheless, acceptance among the population remains a challenge.
9. Future outlook: From Spain to the EU
Experts assume that the V16 will also be introduced in other EU countries in the medium term.
France and Italy are already testing similar systems.
In the long term, the V16 or a comparable system could even become part of the European vehicle standard EN 13422.
This would make Spain a technological pioneer once again, as it was with the introduction of digital traffic cameras or electronic toll systems.
10. Conclusion: A requirement that can save lives
The V16 warning light is much more than a new mandatory accessory.
It stands for a modernization of road traffic, for more safety, and for intelligent networking between people, vehicles, and infrastructure.
The classic warning triangle serves its purpose – but it forces the driver to put themselves in danger.
The V16, on the other hand, protects them and makes the vehicle visible to everyone, without risk and without loss of time.
Anyone traveling by car in Spain – whether a local or a tourist – should therefore familiarize themselves with the new regulation in good time and acquire a homologated, connected V16 light.