Headlights and Vehicle Lighting Rules in Spain

In Spain you must use dipped headlights at night on the open road and whenever visibility is poor, such as fog, heavy rain, snow, dust or smoke. Lights are obligatory inside tunnels. Fog lights and high beam each have their own rules, and since 1 January 2026 the connected V-16 light has replaced the warning triangles you may remember from older cars. This guide walks through every situation, so you know exactly which lights to switch on and when.

Key facts at a glance

• Dipped headlights: at night on the open road and whenever visibility drops.
• Tunnels: lights obligatory inside, however short the tunnel.
• Front fog light: allowed day or night in fog, heavy rain, snow or dust.
• Rear fog light: only in dense conditions, because it dazzles drivers behind you.
• High beam: on the open road above 40 km/h, where it will not dazzle others.
• V-16 light: since 1 January 2026 the only valid breakdown signal. Triangles are retired.

When to use dipped headlights

Dipped headlights (luz de cruce) are the default beam for most driving. You must use them at night on the open road, and whenever visibility is reduced, day or night. That includes fog, heavy rain, snow, dust and smoke. The idea is simple: if seeing or being seen becomes harder, turn on your dipped lights straight away.

Many modern cars have daytime running lights that come on automatically. These are not the same as dipped headlights and they do not light up the rear of the car. In poor weather, switch to full dipped headlights so your tail lights are on too, and other drivers can see you from behind.

For a full look at driving in bad weather, see our guide to driving in fog, rain and snow in Spain.

How do fog lights work in Spain?

Spain treats front and rear fog lights very differently, and getting them wrong can earn you a fine. The front fog light is allowed day or night in fog, heavy rain, snow or dust. It widens and lowers the beam so you see the road edge better in murky conditions.

The rear fog light is stricter. You may only use it when visibility is seriously reduced, such as dense fog, very heavy rain or snow, or thick smoke. It is a bright, concentrated light designed to make your car visible in a wall of grey. The problem is that it dazzles the driver behind you in normal conditions, so you must switch it off as soon as visibility improves.

A common mistake is leaving the rear fog light on after a fog bank clears. If you can see the car behind you clearly, turn it off.

When can you use high beam?

High beam (luz de carretera or luz larga) is for the open road, above 40 km/h, in places where it will not dazzle other people. It throws light much further ahead, which helps you spot hazards early on dark, empty roads.

You must dip your lights when a vehicle approaches from the front, when you are following another car closely, and in built-up areas with street lighting. Never use high beam in fog: the light bounces off the water droplets and creates a bright wall that makes seeing worse, not better. In fog, dipped headlights and the front fog light are the right choice.

Do you need lights in tunnels?

Yes. Lights are obligatory inside every tunnel and underpass in Spain, however short and however bright the day outside. Turn on your dipped headlights before you enter, not once you are already inside and your eyes are adjusting to the dark.

Tunnels marked with the S-5 sign are a controlled environment with their own rules on distance, speed and stopping. For the complete picture, including what to do if you break down inside, read our guide to tunnel driving rules in Spain. The lighting rule is the one people forget most, so make switching on your headlights part of your approach to any tunnel.

The V-16 emergency light: the 2026 change

This is the biggest lighting change in years, and it affects every car driver in Spain. Since 1 January 2026, the connected V-16 light is the only legally valid device to signal a broken-down or stopped vehicle. The familiar warning triangles are no longer valid after 31 December 2025.

The reason is safety. Getting out of your car on a hard shoulder or in a live lane to place triangles has cost lives. With the V-16 you do not get out to place anything behind the vehicle. You reach out, put the light on the roof, and it flashes bright orange to warn approaching traffic while you stay safe inside or behind the barrier.

Which vehicles need a V-16?

The V-16 requirement applies to cars, vans, buses and lorries. Motorcycles, mopeds and light quadricycles are exempt. If you drive a car or van in Spain, you should carry one. Not carrying a valid V-16 is a minor offence with an 80 euro fine, so it is worth buying an approved connected model before your next trip.

Does the V-16 track my car?

The connected V-16 sends your location to the DGT 3.0 traffic platform so that other drivers see a warning on their navigation apps and approach with care. It does not send your speed, your number plate, or any personal data. Make sure the model you buy is a connected, DGT-approved V-16, because only the connected version meets the 2026 requirement.

Frequently asked questions

Are warning triangles still legal in Spain?

No. After 31 December 2025, warning triangles are no longer a valid breakdown signal. Since 1 January 2026 the connected V-16 light is the only accepted device. Do not get out of the car to place triangles; put the V-16 on the roof instead.

When do I have to use dipped headlights?

At night on the open road, and whenever visibility drops, day or night. That covers fog, heavy rain, snow, dust and smoke. Dipped headlights also switch on your rear lights, so other drivers can see you from behind in poor weather.

Can I use my rear fog light whenever it is raining?

No. The rear fog light is only for seriously reduced visibility, such as dense fog or very heavy rain or snow. It dazzles the driver behind you, so switch it off as soon as conditions improve. Leaving it on in light rain can earn you a fine.

Is not carrying a V-16 a serious offence?

It is a minor offence, with a fine of 80 euros. The bigger risk is having no safe way to signal a breakdown. An approved connected V-16 lets you warn traffic without stepping into a live lane, which is the whole point of the 2026 change.

Do I really need lights in a short tunnel?

Yes. Lights are obligatory in every tunnel, however short, and however bright the day. Turn on dipped headlights before you enter, so you are visible from the moment your car reaches the darker section.

Sources

• Reglamento General de Circulacion (Real Decreto 1428/2003).
• DGT, luz de emergencia V-16.

Last updated: August 2026.