Since 1 January 2026, driving without the V-16 beacon in Spain can lead to significant fines. This lighting device, which replaces traditional emergency triangles, is now mandatory for all drivers in the country. Yet, a common question among motorists remains: can one V-16 beacon be used for more than one car? The Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) has addressed many queries about this new signalling system, but uncertainty persists, especially regarding whether a single beacon can serve multiple vehicles within the same household.
The traffic authorities’ response is clear but nuanced, underscoring precautions to avoid penalties up to €200. Crucially, the beacon is associated with the driver rather than the vehicle. This means that technically, one beacon can be used across different cars without breaking the law. Therefore, individuals owning two or more vehicles are not required to purchase a beacon for each one.
However, this flexibility carries an essential requirement often overlooked by drivers: the beacon must be physically transferred from one car to the other every time the vehicle changes. The device needs to be present in the specific vehicle being driven at that moment. Failure to do so creates a clear risk. Should the Guardia Civil stop a driver who forgot the beacon in another vehicle during a roadside check, they face potential fines for not carrying it.
Financial penalties for not carrying the V-16 beacon
Penalties for not using the V-16 beacon vary depending on the situation. If a driver is caught during a routine control without the beacon, the fine is €80, reflecting a basic breach of road safety rules. A more serious infraction occurs if authorities find that the same beacon is being used simultaneously on two vehicles or if the driver cannot prove possession of the device. In such cases, fines can reach €200. Notably, these sanctions do not involve any loss of driving licence points.
The DGT justifies these penalties by aiming to reduce accidents on Spanish roads. Every year, numerous drivers are injured while placing emergency triangles on the road, a risk the V-16 beacon is designed to eliminate. Given this regulatory landscape, road safety experts and authorities recommend that families owning multiple cars should ideally purchase as many V-16 beacons as vehicles in their household. This approach completely removes the risk of forgetting or misplacing the device.
Although this implies an additional expense, the average price for an approved V-16 beacon ranges between €20 and €40, a reasonable investment compared to potential fines. These devices also have a long service life, generally lasting several years. Alternatively, some drivers adopt reminder systems or routines to transfer the beacon when switching vehicles, such as placing it in a visible spot in the garage or alongside the alternate car’s keys. This method, however, demands consistent attention and discipline.