Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
4 min of reading 
0 comments 
Fine and New Obligation on European Roads Spotlight Connected V16 in the Center of Inspections, with Rules About Carrying in the Car, Equipment Approval, and Use in Breakdowns or Accidents.
Drivers circulating in Spain may be fined if they do not keep the connected V16 light in the car, an equipment that has become the only legal means to signal breakdowns or accidents on interurban roads starting January 1, 2026, according to the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT).
The infraction, treated by authorities as a violation of safety obligation, may result in a fine of 80 euros, an amount that varies in reais according to the exchange rate, and has been cited by automotive entities and European press outlets when describing the enforcement of the first fines in early 2026.
Device V16: What It Is and Why It Replaced the Triangle
The connected V16 is a high-visibility flashing light, designed to be activated quickly and mounted, in general, at the highest possible point of the car, preferably on the roof, to alert other drivers without the motorist needing to walk out onto the road.
-
Friends have been building a small “town” for 30 years to grow old together, with compact houses, a common area, nature surrounding it, and a collective life project designed for friendship, coexistence, and simplicity.
-
This small town in Germany created its own currency 24 years ago, today it circulates millions per year, is accepted in over 300 stores, and the German government allowed all of this to happen under one condition.
-
Curitiba is shrinking and is expected to lose 97,000 residents by 2050, while inland cities in Paraná such as Sarandi, Araucária, and Toledo are experiencing accelerated growth that is changing the entire state’s map.
-
Tourists were poisoned on Everest in a million-dollar fraud scheme involving helicopters that diverted over $19 million and shocked international authorities.
The change aims to meet a road safety goal: reducing the risk of accidents and secondary collisions when occupants leave the vehicle to position emergency triangles, a traditional practice that exposes people to traffic, especially on highways and fast roads.
Glove Compartment and Quick Activation in Case of Breakdown or Accident
According to public guidance from the DGT, the light should remain inside the passenger compartment, in an easily reachable location, such as the glove compartment, to allow the driver to activate it in a few seconds, without wasting time searching for the item in less accessible areas.
In case of a breakdown or accident, the official recommendation describes that the driver should activate the light and place it on the immobilized vehicle, preferably on the roof, while the equipment can transmit the location via the DGT 3.0 platform.
Mandatory in Spain Since 2026 and Who Needs to Comply
The DGT states that, starting January 1, 2026, the connected V16 has become the mandatory device for signaling stopped vehicles, replacing triangles, in rules applied to passenger cars and other types provided for in Spanish regulation.
This framework also appears in the regulation published in the Spanish official bulletin, which established the obligation of the V16 with geolocation from January 1, 2026, and provided for technical and connectivity requirements, the basis for the approval of accepted models.
Fine of 80 Euros and How Enforcement Has Been Described
Entities such as the Real Automóvil Club de España (RACE) report that the lack of a connected and approved V16 light may result in fines of up to 80 euros, with a potential discount for prompt payment, in a logic similar to the sanctions previously applied to those who did not carry triangles.
Meanwhile, recent reports in the European press describe fines already recorded in the first weeks of 2026, in routine checks and inspection points, with charges for the absence of the required regulatory signaling for the vehicle.
Approval of the Equipment and Connected Versions in Focus
It’s not enough to carry any emergency light: the DGT maintains a page with information about V16 devices and the list of certified brands and models, emphasizing that, starting in 2026, the requirement is linked to the connected version compatible with DGT 3.0.
In practice, this means that the driver needs to ensure that the product meets the accepted standards and is capable of transmitting location data when activated, since the regulation linked the obligation to the connectivity component.
Road Safety and the Logic of the Change from the Triangle
By emphasizing storage in the glove compartment and activation in seconds, the DGT seeks to reduce the driver’s exposure time outside the car, as the previous method required walking considerable distances to position triangles in both directions.
Additionally, the guideline to position the light at the highest point of the vehicle aims to improve the perception of risk by those traveling on the road, especially when visibility is low, there are curves, heavy traffic, or high speeds of approach.
DGT, Enforcement, and Vehicle Documentation
The enforcement of traffic regulations in Spain involves police forces working in conjunction with the DGT, which centralizes guidance and rules about circulation, safety, and documentation, including mandatory items for the vehicle, as is now the case with the V16 light.
In institutional materials about vehicle paperwork, the DGT explains that “The Vehicle Registration Permit is the document that identifies the ownership of the vehicle, including special vehicles, both agricultural and for works and services,” within the set of administrative requirements.
Conversion to Reais and Attention for Those Traveling
Since the fine is defined in euros, the conversion to reais fluctuates with the exchange rate, which is why amounts reported in Brazil tend to vary over time, even though the administrative penalty cited remains the same in local currency.
For drivers from outside Spain, the DGT has published specific guidelines about international circulation and the use of the device in the Spanish context, a topic that has gained attention with the definitive transition from triangles to the connected light in 2026.
Seja o primeiro a reagir!