From 2026, a new obligation in Spain: an emergency lamp in every car with Spanish registration

Spanish drivers need to prepare for an important change in road regulations. As of January 1, 2026, it becomes mandatory to have a new piece of equipment in the vehicle - a V-16 type emergency lamp. This is another step towards increasing road safety, gradually replacing the traditional warning triangles.

What is a V-16 lamp?

The V-16 lamp is a small, portable emergency light that is placed on the roof of a vehicle in case of a breakdown or accident. Its greatest advantage is that the driver can activate it without having to step out onto the roadway - significantly reducing the risk of being hit by oncoming traffic.

According to the new regulations, from 2026 the lamp must not only be luminous, but also connected to the DGT 3.0 system. This means that it will send the geolocation of the vehicle to the traffic services, which will allow faster response to incidents and inform other drivers of hazards.

What is changing?

• As of January 1, 2026, the warning triangle will no longer be mandatory equipment for vehicles registered in Spain.
• Any vehicle with Spanish license plates traveling on roads in Spain must have an approved V-16 lamp with a geolocation function.
• The lamp must be approved by the DGT - there are already models on the market with the appropriate certificates.

Vehicles registered outside Spain - an important clarification

According to international regulations (the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic), vehicles registered in other countries must meet the equipment requirements of their country of registration.

This means that:

• vehicles registered outside Spain are not legally required to have a V-16 lamp,
• in practice, they can still use warning triangles or other equipment required in the country of registration.

Of course, nothing prevents foreign drivers from voluntarily using the V-16 lamp for safety reasons - but this is not an obligation for them under Spanish regulations.

For whom is the duty?

The obligation to have a V-16 lamp applies:

all motor vehicles registered in Spain - cars, motorcycles, vans and commercial vehicles.

Where to buy a lamp?

V-16 lamps are available in automotive stores, large markets and online sales. It is important to choose models with approval and geolocation function. Their current price is usually between 30 and 60 euros.

Note: not every lamp is suitable

There are various models of V-16 lamps on the market, but only some of them will be valid after January 1, 2026. When buying a lamp, pay attention to:

• Approval code - only devices with an official DGT code are accepted, e.g. “LCOE XXXXXXXXXXXG1”. The code can be found on the lamp or in the manufacturer's documentation.
• Geolocation function - the lamp must be conectada, that is, connected to the DGT 3.0 system and automatically send GPS data. It usually has a built-in SIM card with paid transmission for 10-12 years.

Penalties for not having a lamp

In 2025, lamps are still optional, but as of January 1, 2026, the absence of an approved V-16 lamp on a vehicle with a Spanish registration can result in a fine of up to 200 euros. Such a vehicle may be deemed insufficiently equipped to operate on public roads.

Safety first

The mandatory V-16 lamp is not just a formality, but a real safety improvement. DGT reports that the number of fatal hit-and-runs on highways and expressways has dropped in places where these lamps were already in use.

So it's a good idea to prepare in advance and equip your vehicle with a modern emergency light now - and for drivers with Spanish license plates, this will not only be prudent but mandatory from 2026.