V16 Mandatory in Mallorca: What Drivers Really Need to Know

V16 instead of a warning triangle: A sensible rule — with questions

From 1 January 2026 a change will become routine in Mallorca and the rest of Spain: the classic warning triangle remains allowed, but it will be mandatory to carry a connected V16 warning beacon, as detailed in Obligatorio desde 2026: la señal V16 debe estar en la guantera — lo que los conductores en Mallorca deben saber. The intention is plausible: fewer risky exits onto narrow country roads, faster localization of breakdowns and fewer people standing by the MA-13 at night with yellow triangles. On our island roads, however, the key question immediately arises — one that colorful shop shelves seldom answer: who actually owns the location data?

Technology briefly explained — more light, less getting out

The requirements include a 360° visible yellow light, continuous operation for at least 30 minutes, a battery or accumulator with a minimum 18-month lifespan, and an integrated GPS chip plus a SIM card to transmit data to the traffic authority's platform. Manufacturers promise visibility ranges of up to 1,000 meters. In reality, wind, rain, hills and the correct positioning change the effective range significantly — as anyone driving between Binissalem and Campanet knows when potholes make the car bounce.

The key question: Who has access to the location data?

Here it becomes critical. The V16 automatically transmits location data to a central DGT platform. How long are these data stored? Which bodies can view them — emergency services, police, insurers, maybe even manufacturers or third parties? Are there protocols that permit movement profiling? For locals, commuters and tourists this is not a theoretical issue: on Mallorca rental drivers, residents and freight traffic mix. No one wants movement data to be kept arbitrarily or commercially exploited.

Practical problems that stand out

First: sales and certification. On Passeig Mallorca two women recently bought devices each — “better safe than sorry,” they said — while in the discount store next door cheap lights often sit that do not technically meet all requirements. Second: installation and operation. Magnetic mounts are handy — as long as the magnet holds during a bumpy drive. Third: lifespan and follow-up costs. Manufacturers speak of up to twelve years of technical life, yet the 18-month battery guarantee raises questions: who pays when it runs out? The renter, the garage or the driver?

What is often missing from the public debate

The discussion so far has focused heavily on technology and safety. Less examined are how the SIM cards are managed, what encryption is applied and what exception rules exist for tourists. Also practically important on the island is how easily the device can be activated without getting out of the car: on a rainy night on the MA-13 when the cicadas fall silent, every second counts.

Concrete opportunities — and practical solutions for Mallorca

The obligation brings real opportunities: faster help on remote stretches and fewer accidents when placing a triangle. To prevent this from failing due to data protection and information gaps, Mallorca now needs pragmatic rules. Suggestions:

1. Transparent data policy: The island government, the DGT and mobile operators should clearly regulate which data are stored, for how long and who may access them. Points of sale should provide a short explanation in Spanish, Catalan and English.

2. Open test centers: Municipalities or automobile clubs could offer pop-up checks at weekend markets in Palma, at the port or at car parks on the Tramuntana edge: battery, SIM status, magnetic strength — tested in five minutes.

3. Clear rules for rental cars: Rental companies should be obliged to provide certified V16 devices and demonstrate their function at handover. A sticker in the glovebox with activation instructions would avoid many misunderstandings.

4. Information campaigns: Radio spots, posters along the MA-13 and information on ferries will ensure locals and visitors act in time and know how to activate the device.

Practical tips for the glovebox

Waiting until 2026 is not a good idea. Before buying: consult the official list of approved models, for example see Luz de advertencia V16: lo que será obligatorio en la guantera en Mallorca a partir de 2026 — comprobación práctica. When buying: check SIM activation, battery and magnet. In everyday life: keep the device within reach in the glovebox, not buried in the trunk. Practice once activating the V16 while seated — in rain and wind on the MA-13 you do not want to fumble for a long time.

In the end: the V16 is a sensible innovation for greater safety on Mallorca's roads. To ensure it does not fail due to poor information or opaque data practices, clear rules, local test centers and simple notes for rental companies and tourists are needed now. So: clear out the glovebox, buy informed and test the device before the first trip — then you'll have more peace of mind at the next breakdown, whether on Passeig or between the olive groves.