With the date marked in red on the calendar, the V16 connected beacon is approaching its mandatory use and the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) He wanted to send a clear warning to drivers. The association focuses above all on those who purchased this device before the summer, since a significant part of these beacons would not meet the technical requirements which will come into force on January 1, 2026as established in the annex to Royal Decree 2822/1998.
The risk of having purchased a beacon that does not work
According to the OCU, many drivers anticipated the regulations and paid around 40 euros for a beacon which, today, may not be approved in accordance with the new regulations.
The problem is not only economic: from January, the use of an invalid model will be punishable by a fine. fine of 80 euros. Even though the Director General of the DGT recently indicated that traffic officers “will be flexible” initially, the warning remains relevant.
The consumer organization recognizes that the market has started to clear up, but insists on the fact that non-compliant tags are still marketed, particularly via online sales platforms, although in decreasing numbers.
What to check before considering a valid V16
To avoid mistakes, OCU advises examining the device carefully, whether you already have it in your home or are considering purchasing a new one. The first check involves labeling: The warning that the beacon is “connected to DGT 3.0” should appear clearly..
In addition, the housing of the device must bear an inscription official approval numbera key detail to distinguish valid models from those that are not.
As an additional security measure, the organization recommends comparing the specific model with the list of approved devices published by the General Directorate of Traffic itself on its official website. This verification is the only way to be certain that the beacon will comply with regulations when its use is mandatory.
Price drop and direct request to the DGT
Another aspect that the OCU highlights is the evolution of the price. Compared to the nearly 40 euros that many models cost months ago, competition and the expansion of the offer today make it possible to find tags priced at just over 30 euros.
Finally, the organization sends a direct message to the DGT and asks it to increase its vigilance on the marketing of unapproved devices.
In particular, he requests that control be strengthened on online sales platforms to guarantee the withdrawal of models that do not comply with regulations and prevent drivers from unknowingly purchasing a beacon that will no longer be useful to them in a few months.
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