It is crucial to see and be seen, especially when riding a motorcycle. Due to their small size, motorcycles can easily maneuver in traffic, but it is important to remember how exposed the driver is.
Ensuring adequate lighting will allow other drivers to see you, understand the space you occupy and be aware of your planned movements.; By anticipating your actions, others will be prepared to respond.
The currently mandatory lights are these:
Thedipped headlights or short range must be used at all times. Its purpose is for other drivers to see you as soon as possible, both those coming from the opposite direction and those in front of you and observe you through the mirror. In addition, these lights serve to illuminate the road we are driving on.
Theroad lights, compared to short-range ones, are distinguished by their greater ability to illuminate longer distances. It is crucial to avoid blinding oncoming drivers. It is advisable to alternate between low and long range lights as necessary to prevent glare and avoid possible accidents.
brake lights They signal to the drivers behind us that we are braking. This gives them the opportunity to stop in time and avoid an accident.
Front and rear position lights They are crucial to signal our presence on the road and to indicate the width of the motorcycle, which allows more precise calculations when driving.
Thedirection flashing lights They are mandatory and allow the movements of the motorcycle to be anticipated. This is crucial to avoid confusing the driver behind us and to prevent last-minute maneuvers.
The rear reflector Non-triangular reflects the light of approaching vehicles, ensuring our visibility to drivers behind, as long as the dipped headlights are on.
The plate lightIt is what illuminates the license plate, just like in cars.
In themopedsUnlike motorcycles, low beam, braking, rear position, rear and side reflector lights are mandatory. It is considered that having less than 50cc and not being able to exceed 45 km/h the requirements should not be the same.
You can add fog lights to your motorcycle to improve visibility in adverse weather conditions, such as fog. It is advisable to place them as low as possible for best results.
In accordance with the new DGT regulations, the V16 emergency lightsThey are not mandatory for motorcycles or mopeds, but they are recommended.
Starting in 2026, V-16 lights will become mandatory for all vehicles in Spain, including motorcycles. This measure seeks to replace the use of emergency triangles, with the aim of increasing road safety by preventing drivers from having to get out of their vehicles in situations of breakdown or accident.
V-16 lights are luminous devices that are magnetically placed on the roof of the vehicle, emitting a flashing light signal visible from a kilometer away and in low light conditions.
The main advantage of these lights is that they allow an emergency situation to be signaled more safely and quickly than pre-signal triangles, which require the driver to expose themselves to nearby traffic.
It is important that motorcycle drivers consider equipping their vehicles with these types of devices as the mandatory date approaches, to comply with regulations and contribute to a safer environment for both themselves and other road users.
