The V16 beacon will replace the traditional danger warning triangles. The device must be worn from January 1, 2026.
We have to carry it in the glove box of our vehicle and, in the event of a breakdown or accident, we can activate it in seconds.
As the DGT (Directorate General of Traffic) reports on its website, this is a kind of “little yellow beacon” which is equipped “with connectivity and is capable of emitting 360º light of intermittent and continuous high intensity”, with the aim of being visible to other drivers during “at least 30 minutes”.
How does the V16 tag work?
After activation, the beacon emits a light signal and automatically transmits the exact location of the damaged vehicle to the platform DGT 3.0. The device includes a GPS chip and a non-removable SIM card which are responsible for establishing the connection. You just need to turn it on. There is no need to use the mobile phone or any application.
What vehicles are needed to transport the V16 beacon?
Passenger cars, vans, buses, trucks, adaptable mixed vehicles and a range of non-special vehicles must carry them.
How to differentiate a fake tag from a real one?
You must first check that it has two codes: one of them is the CE codewhich refers to European certification.
The other code is a certification number visible on the device and to find out if it is the approved and geolocated beacon, you must enter this number on the DGT website to verify its authenticity.
In this video we answer the most frequently asked questions regarding the use of the V16 tag, which will be mandatory from January 1st.
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