Andorran cars exempt from Spain's V16 beacon mandate

Andorran-registered vehicles driving in Spain do not need to carry or use the V16 beacon mandatory for Spanish-registered cars in the event of an accident or breakdown, the Andorran government has confirmed to the Andorran News Agency.

The executive explained that Andorra's hazard signalling rules align with Spanish requirements, which allow foreign-registered vehicles to use equipment authorised in their country of origin. Andorran drivers therefore comply by deploying approved warning triangles or the portable yellow self-contained emergency light outlined in Article 18 of the relevant decree—a device that performs the same function as the V16.

Guidance from the government specifies that triangles must be placed about 50 metres from the vehicle, ensuring at least 100 metres of visibility, unless it poses a risk to the driver. On one-way roads or those with more than three lanes, a single triangle at the rear suffices, and drivers are required to wear a reflective vest while positioning it.

The yellow emergency light provides a safer option, mounted on the vehicle's roof for full 360-degree visibility. This enables drivers to stay inside the car during hazardous situations, enhancing road safety.

The clarification responds to confusion following the introduction of Spain's updated regulations, reassuring Andorran motorists that their standard equipment meets the rules on Spanish roads.