Pere Navarro defends the V16 beacon: "a complete success"

Pere Navarro defends the V16 beacon: "a complete success"

Pere Navarro, director of Spain's DGT (Directorate-General for Traffic), has doubled down on the V16 beacon. In a recent appearance, Navarro claimed that "the V16 beacon was a complete success, it's all advantages and people from abroad come to copy it." The remark, picked up by various media outlets, has landed like a cold shower on drivers who have not yet paid up. The beacon, a light device that replaces emergency warning triangles, has been mandatory since 1 January 2026, and its price ranges from 12 to 60 euros depending on the model and point of sale, according to some users on the forum.

The price of the V16 beacon: 12 to 60 euros for an LED

The price range is the first sticking point. Some have paid 40 or 60 euros for the device, while others have found models for 14 euros. The difference does not always reflect technical antiestéticatures: in many cases, the mark-up is justified by the urgency of the deadline or the sales channel, some drivers argue. Navarro himself has insisted that the device "comes from abroad to copy it", which some have interpreted as a sign that the Spanish market has served as a guinea pig for a product manufactured elsewhere.

The mandatory requirement has created a call effect in e-commerce. The cheapest models, around 12-14 euros, frequently sell out, while premium versions with connectivity and geolocation exceed 50 euros, according to some users. The question many are asking is whether the beacon offers a real safety improvement or is simply a new toll for motorists.

"I don't even have my MOT, I'm not buying that crap": drivers' fury

Part of the driving public has reacted with outright rejection. Some argue that the beacon is an unnecessary gadget, that the obligation to carry one is driven by a desire to raise revenue, and that the DGT has not proven it reduces accidents. Others, however, admit they bought it out of antiestéticar of a fine: driving without one carries a 200-euro penalty under current regulations.

The discontent is mixed with distrust of Navarro himself. Some drivers point out that the DGT director does not hold a driving licence, a detail repeated in conversations as an argument to discredit his decisions. The irony is unavoidable: the man who designs traffic policy does not drive.

Is the V16 beacon mandatory in 2026?

Yes. Since 1 January 2026, the V16 beacon has been mandatory for all vehicles driving in Spain. It replaces warning triangles and must be placed on the roof of the car in the event of a breakdown or accident. The regulation requires the device to be type-approved and visible from 1,000 metres away. Not carrying one means a 200-euro fine, although no licence points are deducted.

The deadline caught many drivers off guard. Last-minute purchases have sent demand soaring and pushed up prices. Some manufacturers have acknowledged stock problems, fuelling the sense of chaos.

The beacon business: who profits from the mandate

Behind the beacon lies a booming business. Manufacturers, mostly foreign, have seen in Spain a captive market of more than 30 million vehicles. The mandate has overnight created a market niche that did not previously exist. Spanish distributors, for their part, have taken advantage of the surge to move stock at high margins.

The comparison with other European countries is inevitable. In France, the beacon has been mandatory since 2021, but its average price is lower. In Germany, it is not mandatory. Navarro's justification that "they come from abroad to copy it" clashes with the reality that the product is manufactured abroad and sold here at a premium.

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The V16 beacon affair leaves a trail of unanswered questions. Why does the price vary so much? Why hasn't the DGT regulated a maximum price? Why does Navarro insist it is a success when part of the driving public sees it as a disguised tax? The debate remains open, and the next summer campaign promises more headlines.