Since July 1, 2021, the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) has permitted the use of V16 beacons as a pre-warning system. However, as of January 1, 2026 , only connected V16 beacons , which transmit the vehicle's location in the event of a breakdown or accident, will be legal.
What is a connected V16 beacon?
A connected V16 beacon is a luminous device placed on the roof of a vehicle to alert other drivers in case of emergency. Its difference from traditional models is that it features IoT connectivity , allowing it to send its position in real time to the DGT 3.0 platform .
Technical requirements according to the DGT
The DGT establishes strict requirements that approved connected V16 beacons must meet:
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V16 approval by an ENAC-accredited laboratory.
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NB-IoT or LTE-M connectivity , operational throughout the national territory.
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Anonymous geolocation transmitted to the DGT cloud as soon as it is activated.
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Minimum autonomy of 30 minutes in light emission.
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360º visibility and IP protection.
Mandatory entry into force: January 1, 2026
Royal Decree 159/2021 establishes that, as of January 1, 2026, traditional warning triangles will become obsolete and must be replaced by a connected V16 beacon approved by the DGT.
This affects all vehicles circulating on Spanish roads , including private vehicles, fleets, rental vehicles, vans, and trucks.
Hero Driver LED: V16 beacon connected and certified by the DGT
At Ryme Automotive, we offer the Hero Driver LED beacon , an approved model with Vodafone IoT connectivity included with no fees until 2040 and manufactured to the technical standards required by regulations.
You can find all the details on our official website: www.herodriver.es and learn more about our company at www.rymeautomotive.com
