French drivers will be exempted from new safety requirement on Spanish roads
Current ‘warning triangles’ will still be accepted
The beacon will be required in Spanish vehicles from 2026 onwards
DGT / dgt.es
Drivers of French-registered vehicles will be exempt from incoming road safety changes on Spanish roads, the nation’s driving authorities announced.
A rule change taking place in 2026 will see Spanish vehicles needing to be equipped with a flashing beacon that can be placed on a car roof during a breakdown.
Read more: What are new Spanish safety rules for drivers?
Spanish authorities believe it is safer to use the beacon, as it is more visible than a warning triangle and can be equipped on a car without having to leave the vehicle, as is required when placing warning triangles.
Many drivers in France – and French media – originally believed the rule changes would impact those who drive in Spain in French-registered vehicles, either regularly or on a one-off basis, such as for a holiday.
French vehicles exempt
However, the Spanish Directorate-General for Traffic published a memo laying out the rules for non-Spanish drivers.
“Vehicles registered in other countries and travelling… through Spain will comply with the regulations if they use triangles,” says the document (in Spanish).
French registered vehicles will therefore comply, as legally in France they must all be equipped with warning triangles and a yellow vest for a driver to use in the event of an accident.
The driver must place the warning triangles behind the vehicle to warn drivers of the accident.
This method will continue to be the legal way for drivers of French-registered vehicles in Spain to warn drivers of an accident.
Read more: What must drivers carry in their cars in France?
Drivers will still be free to equip their vehicle with a beacon if they wish and believe it to be a safer method – note that the beacon is not legal in France and cannot be used in lieu of triangles on French roads.
Drivers of vehicles registered in other countries such as the UK may still need to comply with the Spanish regulations when driving through the country, if they do not have warning triangles in their vehicle.
