Spain’s mandatory V16 beacon faces EU scrutiny – could the rule change?

Spain’s mandatory V16 emergency beacon – introduced at the start of 2026 to replace roadside warning triangles – is facing questions from Brussels. The European Commission has warned that Spain may not have properly notified the rule before making the connected beacon compulsory, raising the possibility of a legal review. The device remains mandatory for now, but the warning has created uncertainty among drivers who only recently adapted to the change.

The situation doesn’t mean the beacon will disappear tomorrow. But it does highlight a growing tension between national road safety measures and EU market rules – something that could shape how the regulation evolves in the months ahead.

Why Brussels is questioning Spain’s V16 emergency beacon

The V16 beacon was introduced with a practical aim: keeping drivers safe by avoiding the need to step onto the road after a breakdown. Instead of walking back along the motorway to place triangles, motorists can simply place a flashing beacon on the roof of the vehicle. Connected versions also transmit the vehicle’s location to traffic authorities through the DGT 3.0 platform, allowing quicker warnings for other drivers.

The European Commission isn’t challenging the safety benefits. The concern is procedural. Under EU law, member states must notify Brussels before introducing technical rules that could affect products within the single market. This process allows the Commission to check whether national requirements could create barriers to trade or limit competition.

According to the Commission’s response to a parliamentary question, Spain did not notify the Royal Decree introducing the connected V16 beacon through the required procedure set out in Directive (EU) 2015/1535. In everyday terms, the rule may have been introduced without completing an administrative step expected under EU law.

That doesn’t automatically cancel the regulation – but it does mean the measure can be reviewed.

What this means for drivers across Spain

For motorists, the immediate message is straightforward: the V16 beacon is still mandatory for Spanish-registered vehicles and remains the official replacement for warning triangles. Traffic authorities continue to recommend its use, particularly on fast roads where leaving the vehicle can be dangerous.

However, the debate has exposed some practical inconsistencies. Foreign vehicles travelling in Spain are not required to carry the device, meaning drivers can face different safety obligations depending on where their car is registered. That detail has already raised eyebrows among cross-border commuters, tourists and car hire companies.

There is also the question of technical requirements. The obligation to use connected beacons compatible with Spain’s traffic platform could be interpreted as limiting access for certain manufacturers if not properly justified at EU level.

For most drivers, though, the impact remains theoretical rather than practical. Police checks and road safety guidance have not changed, and approved V16 devices continue to be sold and promoted across Spain.

Could the V16 beacon rule actually change?

At this stage, a review is far more likely than a reversal. Spain may need to formally notify the regulation, provide additional justification for the technical requirements, or adjust aspects of the rule to ensure compliance with EU procedures.

A complete withdrawal of the beacon obligation appears unlikely in the short term, largely because the safety reasoning behind the measure is widely supported. The shift away from warning triangles reflects broader European concerns about roadside accidents involving stranded drivers.

If the issue were to escalate into a formal infringement process, discussions could take months or even years, with any eventual changes introduced gradually.

The debate has also sparked political reactions, with calls for clearer explanations and greater transparency around how the rule was introduced. But for drivers, the practical reality remains unchanged: the beacon is still part of Spain’s road safety framework.

What this episode does reveal is how even everyday driving rules can become entangled in wider EU legal and market considerations. A device designed simply to make breakdowns safer has turned into a reminder that road safety policy rarely exists in isolation.

For now, motorists should continue using approved V16 beacons as required – while keeping an eye on how Brussels and Madrid resolve the administrative questions behind the rule. In the meantime, the small flashing device remains firmly part of Spain’s roads, regardless of the legal conversation unfolding in the background.