Spain’s V-27 sends road-hazard warnings through DGT 3.0 to compatible connected cars. Drivers do not install a separate device.
A nearby breakdown or crash can trigger a DGT 3.0 warning for compatible connected cars before approaching drivers can see the vehicle.
The V-27 is a virtual signal shown on a car’s screen or instrument panel. RACE describes it as a warning triangle with waves, alerting drivers to a nearby hazard such as a broken-down vehicle or an accident. It is a digital warning, not a beacon that signals at the scene.
Drivers do not need to buy or fit a separate device, and there is no separate V-27 requirement. The alert travels through DGT 3.0. An activated V-16 beacon can report an incident by automatically sending the vehicle’s location to the platform.
Compatibility is the catch. A car needs suitable communication systems and road-information services; being a connected car alone does not guarantee it can receive the signal. RACE says many vehicles in Spain will not display the warning. The feature has a different purpose from other mobility technology developments, including Madrid's robotaxi plans.
The V-16 beacon remains mandatory for drivers in Spain. Since 1 January 2026, the connected V-16 has replaced traditional warning triangles and transmits the location of a disabled vehicle to DGT 3.0. The V-27 does not physically replace the beacon, and drivers have no separate V-27 obligation. A vehicle without compatible systems will not receive the digital alert.
