Red warning triangle in Spain

[Chuns]

I just did a quick forum search on this, and nothing came up. I didn't want a lot of groans and yawns because it was old hat.

I have just been sent this. “Spain's transport ministry is bringing in a new law requiring all vehicles to be equipped with an orange flashing warning light - including drivers visiting from France or other European countries.

If you are visiting Spain by car, you will soon need to buy a new piece of equipment, thanks to a change in Spain's road safety laws.

From January 2026, drivers in Spain will replace the red warning triangle with an orange fashing light, known as a V16, that goes on the rooftop of the car in case of accident or breakdown. “

What shocked me was this … “In fact it is already required for camper vans, and has been since 2023. The new law covers all vehicles that are driven on Spanish roads, including those registered in another country. Rental vehicles hired in Spain should supply the lights once the law comes into force.”

I certainly didn't know that.

 

[fishplug]

Interesting, thank you.

A quick search suggests that the V16 is also known as an "LED road flare".

I actually carry these in the car, van and on the bike because of just how effective they are.

Can be placed on (magnetically or with a hook) or around the vehicle.

That reminds me, it's January so it's time to discharge/recharge the batteries...

 

[DandJ]

What shocked me was this … “In fact it is already required for camper vans, and has been since 2023. The new law covers all vehicles that are driven on Spanish roads, including those registered in another country. Rental vehicles hired in Spain should supply the lights once the law comes into force.”

I certainly didn't know that.

Have you seen any official link to that...I've seen it. few times in the last few days but haven't been able to find an official source.
Some of it makes sense...some doesn't. The way many online resources write it up....if you break down on a road and get out without a hi-viz vest on, you're breaking the law and can be fined. I was under the impression that it was on motorways / dual carriageways rather than just 'on a road'. If it is just on any road...it's bonkers....if I don't break down but simply stop and get out for a leg stretch...I don't need a hi-viz vest on....

Here's 'Murcia Today' take on it.

Rules for warning triangles, emergency lights and hi-vis vests in Spain

Rules For Warning Triangles, Emergency Lights And Hi-vis Vests In Spain Keep up with the Latest News In English Murcia Costa Calida Spain

murciatoday.com

 

[Dave and Jen]

Have you seen any official link to that...I've seen it. few times in the last few days but haven't been able to find an official source.
Some of it makes sense...some doesn't. The way many online resources write it up....if you break down on a road and get out without a hi-viz vest on, you're breaking the law and can be fined. I was under the impression that it was on motorways / dual carriageways rather than just 'on a road'. If it is just on any road...it's bonkers....if I don't break down but simply stop and get out for a leg stretch...I don't need a hi-viz vest on....

Here's 'Murcia Today' take on it.

Rules for warning triangles, emergency lights and hi-vis vests in Spain

Rules For Warning Triangles, Emergency Lights And Hi-vis Vests In Spain Keep up with the Latest News In English Murcia Costa Calida Spain

murciatoday.com

I would think that you can be hit on a "normal" road just as you could be on a m/way.
Is it really worth it for the sake of a few seconds to put a hi-viz on?
Personally I think not.
Cheers, Dave

 

[tribalbrit]

How do you place a flashing beacon on 3 metre high MH? especially when it's aluminium? When broken down on a motorway, no hard shoulder and mad drivers passing as close as they possibly can ?

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[Barriesimpson]

I just did a quick forum search on this, and nothing came up. I didn't want a lot of groans and yawns because it was old hat.

I have just been sent this. “Spain's transport ministry is bringing in a new law requiring all vehicles to be equipped with an orange flashing warning light - including drivers visiting from France or other European countries.

If you are visiting Spain by car, you will soon need to buy a new piece of equipment, thanks to a change in Spain's road safety laws.

From January 2026, drivers in Spain will replace the red warning triangle with an orange fashing light, known as a V16, that goes on the rooftop of the car in case of accident or breakdown. “

What shocked me was this … “In fact it is already required for camper vans, and has been since 2023. The new law covers all vehicles that are driven on Spanish roads, including those registered in another country. Rental vehicles hired in Spain should supply the lights once the law comes into force.”

I certainly didn't know that.

Yes, in 2026.

 

[Peavy]

I also didn't know v16 was already enforced in motorhomes, but it seems to be the case, thanks Chuns for pointing it out.
Here's a link from the official source (DGT) where law about MH in Spain is detailed. There is a reference about the v16 beacon.
Also here's the link from the official source (DGT) about the v16 device.
One important thing to have in mind is that this device must be connected online to the DGT cloud (from january 2026) and only a device from a list (in the link provided) would be accepted to fulfill that purpose (there are already v16 devices NOT able to connect to the cloud).

 

[Bill-H]

Had the flashing beacon for a couple of years when they first became available and legal to use in Spain.
My motorhome body is non magnatic so I cut a strip of 1mm steel plate about 100x150mm. This slides part way into the rubber door surround and I can plonk the magnetic base of the beacon on it while still sitting in the driver seat - much safer than strolling along the road with 2 triangles.
Mine is a 'dumb' one but they are available with a radio transmitter which activates when you switch the beacon on and informs the authorities of your vehicle location

 

[Peavy]

How do you place a flashing beacon on 3 metre high MH? especially when it's aluminium? When broken down on a motorway, no hard shoulder and mad drivers passing as close as they possibly can ?

There are devices with a suction cup apparently...

 

[fishplug]

How do you place a flashing beacon on 3 metre high MH? especially when it's aluminium? When broken down on a motorway, no hard shoulder and mad drivers passing as close as they possibly can ?

Tie a piece of rope to the hook and a weight on the other end and fling it over the roof?

Pre-empt it by attaching a small piece of painted steel with some silicone to the outside of the van where you can reach and attach it magnetically to that?

Stick it on a telescopic walking pole and gaffer tape it to the spare wheel?

My van's steel so it's not an issue. My car's steel so it's not an issue.

With the bike, I'd just lay a few of them out on the road around it. If I was caught unprepared in an aluminium MoHo then I'd do the same.

Honestly, have a look at some videos of how effective and visible these are even when just placed on the floor.

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[MisterB]

just had two delivered from Ali Express .... !

 

[Bill-H]

How do you place a flashing beacon on 3 metre high MH? especially when it's aluminium? When broken down on a motorway, no hard shoulder and mad drivers passing as close as they possibly can ?

I cut a piece of 1mm steel plate 100x150mm which slides in the drivers door rubber, beacon attaches to that and I can do it from driver seat

 

[Odd-no-more]

I have a dumb one but I'll have a look at the connected ones, does anyone have an idea of the price?

 

[daveclare]

We use these when our card got stuck in a tollbooth machine. Got them from ebay.

 

[tribalbrit]

Think I'll get a telescopic pole and fix light to top and tie to bike rack when needed.

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[Speve]

Point to note is that it needs to be mounted on steel plate as that then activates the light I have tried just sitting the beacon on the alloy only and it does not activate as it does not stick to the alloy

 

[StillGoing]

just had two delivered from Ali Express .... !

Are they V16 signal approved with geolocation?

 

[gus-lopez]

if you break down on a road and get out without a hi-viz vest on, you're breaking the law and can be fined

& since 2019 the same applies to walking on any road without a pavement

If it is just on any road...it's bonkers....if I don't break down but simply stop and get out for a leg stretch...I don't need a hi-viz vest on....

No,as above it is illegal now. They brought it in for any road without pavements. you cannot legally walk without high viz

but they are available with a radio transmitter which activates when you switch the beacon on and informs the authorities of your vehicle location

& as from next january 1st they will be the only legal ones

I have a dumb one but I'll have a look at the connected ones, does anyone have an idea of the price?

around 50€ The idea is/was that you do not "turn them on" they activate as soon as they are attached to something magnetic.That was the original intention.

 

[MisterB]

Are they V16 signal approved with geolocation?

no idea re V16 and certainly dont have geolocation, but i bought them as 'approved' but they might be approved by bugs bunny for all i know, but they flash an orange light and are probably better than nothing (i wonder how many false alarms might be given off when accidentally activated .....)

how many spanish drivers will have them etc etc -

 

[KASPAR]

I have a dumb one but I'll have a look at the connected ones, does anyone have an idea of the price?

In the blurb provided by Peavy above the Hella one shows €54.95 including a 12 year connection to the DGT network, as all connected ones are, apparently.

In respect of putting on top of Motorhome, through a roof vent or skylight?

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[Chuns]

Have you seen any official link to that...I've seen it. few times in the last few days but haven't been able to find an official source.
Some of it makes sense...some doesn't. The way many online resources write it up....if you break down on a road and get out without a hi-viz vest on, you're breaking the law and can be fined. I was under the impression that it was on motorways / dual carriageways rather than just 'on a road'. If it is just on any road...it's bonkers....if I don't break down but simply stop and get out for a leg stretch...I don't need a hi-viz vest on....

Here's 'Murcia Today' take on it.

Rules for warning triangles, emergency lights and hi-vis vests in Spain

Rules For Warning Triangles, Emergency Lights And Hi-vis Vests In Spain Keep up with the Latest News In English Murcia Costa Calida Spain

murciatoday.com

I asked my bro that, Jim, and he has just sent me the same dox that Peavy has referenced.

 

[DandJ]

& since 2019 the same applies to walking on any road without a pavement

No,as above it is illegal now. They brought it in for any road without pavements. you cannot legally walk without high viz

You highlight my point well then.....you state it is any road without a pavement...most of the publications that i have seen this written up in..simply state 'road'...which isn't correct. How they expect anyone to fathom it out without actually publishing the facts.....
(I sound anti Hi-Viz...I'm not...I have one in my motorbike top box as well as the car and van...they're invaluable...but trying to legally drive around Europe when every country has differing rules and regs re what is required/recommended etc...)

 

[Nanniemate]

How do you place a flashing beacon on 3 metre high MH? especially when it's aluminium? When broken down on a motorway, no hard shoulder and mad drivers passing as close as they possibly can ?

Easy ....get your ladders out

 

[PeterCarole29]

just had two delivered from Ali Express .... !

Are they any good if so can you send me the details pm

 

[Howard B]

I have a dumb one but I'll have a look at the connected ones, does anyone have an idea of the price?

Looking on Google they seem to be £45-£50 for the ones that connect to DGT.

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[Kups]

Bought ours from Motorhome Matt at the Malvern Show. We've got metal towbar and rear ladder to fix to. Don't think he's got any stock at the moment.

 

[BrochMike]

Are they V16 signal approved with geolocation?

Surprise - I couldn't find any approved ones on aliexpress!

Or Amazon for that matter.

Has anyone found/bought one in UK that meets the Spanish 2026 requirement and can provide a link?

 

[StillGoing]

I suspect a lot of people will buy the V16 beacons that are not DGT network compatible and not realise they need to replace them by 1 January 2026.

 

[StillGoing]

Surprise - I couldn't find any approved ones on aliexpress!

Or Amazon for that matter.

Has anyone found/bought one in UK that meets the Spanish 2026 requirement and can provide a link?

I found one on Amazon but delivery isn’t until July! Also, it only has a magnetic attachment which is useless for my motorhome.

 

[Wildbill]

So my van was a brake down van in a previous life and has a orange flashing light fitted
So that will do the job
WB

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